(630) 892-4355 
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at VNA Health Care is a federally-funded food assistance program designed to help pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five eat well and stay healthy.
You may be eligible for WIC if you live in Illinois and you are expecting, breastfeeding, or have recently given birth up to six months ago; or if you are a parent or guardian with a child under the age of 5.
At VNA, families will receive the highest standard of care. The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA – FNS) recently awarded VNA Health Care with the WIC Breastfeeding Gold Award of Excellence. Agencies that receive the gold award demonstrate excellence in breastfeeding practices and support. VNA is one of only four Illinois clinics that earned this recognition in 2023.
Find Out if You Qualify for WIC
What Are the Benefits of the WIC Program?
WIC benefits include:
- Providing education on selecting and preparing healthy foods that are suitable for babies, toddlers, and mothers.
- Making referrals for prenatal and pediatric care, vaccinations, and dental services.
- Offering breastfeeding classes, personal consultations with lactation experts, and supplies like breast pumps at no cost to support your journey as a new mother.
- Screening for the health, growth, and development of your child and addressing any nutritional risks.
- Setting your child up for lifelong success by making sure their basic needs are met.
- Supporting families during pregnancy, postpartum, and throughout the early years of a child’s life.
How Does the WIC Program Work?
WIC is a public health program that focuses on improving the health of babies and young children. It doesn’t require you to provide your immigration status and it does not factor into your Public Charge assessments either.
When you join WIC, you and your child get advice on what to eat to stay healthy, based on your unique dietary needs and medical history. It also links you up with other helpful services, like healthcare or parenting support, if you need them. You will be given a list of foods to buy (and where to find them) that are good for you and your child’s health along with a WIC EBT card that you can use to buy healthy foods at select stores.
If breastfeeding is not an option, you will be provided an iron-fortified formula. As your baby grows, you can also get baby foods and plain cereals. As part of the initiative, our WIC nutritionists and dietitians will regularly meet with you to check on how your child is growing and learning, to make sure they are developing well.
For children aged 1-5: Children in this age group are eligible for a range of nutritious foods. They can get milk, yogurt, juice, cereals, eggs, peanut butter, dried or canned beans, whole grains, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.
For breastfeeding mothers: Mothers who breastfeed receive additional foods to support their health, including a range of dairy products, cereals, eggs, and protein options like peanut butter, dried beans, and fish (tuna or salmon) if they are exclusively breastfeeding.
WIC strongly advocates for and assists with breastfeeding to ensure infants get the best start in life. If you sign up for WIC early in your pregnancy, it can result in a healthier baby. Children who continue in the program until they turn five tend to be better prepared for school and more likely to do well academically.
Nutrition Counseling and Education
The WIC nutritionists at VNA Health Care will help you understand exactly how nutrition impacts your whole family. We will evaluate your dietary needs and offer advice on how to meet them. For example, if you or your child is found to be anemic, we will give you a list of iron-rich foods and how to incorporate them into your diet using easy-to-cook recipes made with WIC-approved ingredients. Check out recipes from our classes here in both English and Spanish.
You will also receive educational materials that cover important topics, from maternal nutrition during pregnancy to feeding young children. You attend our free nutrition classes to learn about reading food labels, budgeting for groceries, and cooking healthy meals that are both nutritious and aligned with the WIC food package and WIC-approved ingredients.
Breastfeeding Support
VNA Health Care was recently awarded the WIC Breastfeeding Gold Award of Excellence by the USDA – FNS for our staff’s efforts in not only increasing awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding for infants but also providing new mothers with all the support they need during this time.
Our clinic in Aurora offers free classes on breastfeeding and proper nutrition for WIC participants as well as counseling to help new mothers navigate the challenges of breastfeeding. After an assessment of your and your baby’s needs, our team will provide a breast pump that is most appropriate for you. Hospital-grade electric pumps are provided on loan to mothers whose infants are premature or have other special needs. If you need to pump frequently if you are working or studying full-time while breastfeeding exclusively, you may be provided a portable electric pump. Nursing bras and pads may also be available in some cases.
Are You Eligible for Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
To participate you must be a resident of Illinois (you do not need to be a US citizen) and you must be considered at a “nutritional risk” due to a medical or dietary condition. During your WIC appointment, you will receive a nutrition and health assessment to determine as part of the certification process.
You must also belong to any of these groups for WIC to sign up:
- Pregnant women (during pregnancy and up to six weeks after birth or after the pregnancy ends).
- Breastfeeding women (up to the infant’s first birthday).
- Non-breastfeeding postpartum women (up to six months after the birth of an infant or after the pregnancy ends).
- You have an infant (up to their first birthday).
- You are a parent, guardian, or foster parent of a child under the age of 5.
- Applicants must also meet the household income criteria: income at or below 185% of the US Poverty Income Guidelines. If you or your child are already receiving benefits from Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), then you automatically meet the income eligibility criteria for WIC.
Once you are approved, you will get an Electronic Benefits Transfer card (EBT). It functions like a debit card, so you can use it at participating grocery stores and markets. When shopping, you select WIC-approved food items, which are specified by the program based on your unique nutritional needs.
If you think you may qualify, call (630) 892-4720 to learn more or make a WIC appointment at the VNA Health Center located at 400 N. Highland Avenue in Aurora. If you live outside of the Aurora area, VNA Health Care can also help you find your nearest local WIC program.
Make an Appointment with WIC at VNA
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.