eSolutions

Electronic solutions (eSolutions) are a key step in modernizing WIC FMNP and SFMNP. This transition aims to improve the program experience for state agencies, participants, farmers, and farmers’ markets. FNS is available to support state agencies as they consider options that best meet their needs.

FMNP eSolution Implementation Status

Sources: eSolution implementation status communicated to FNS as of April 1, 2024. U.S. Census Bureau 2022 Cartographic Boundary files.

SFMNP eSolution Implementation Status

Sources: eSolution implementation status communicated to FNS as of April 1, 2024. U.S. Census Bureau 2022 Cartographic Boundary files.

Implemented and Planned eSolutions by Provider

Note: The following reflects completed and planned eSolution implementation as of April 1, 2024, as communicated to FNS.

Custom Data Processing, Inc.

FMNP

• California
• Chickasaw Nation
• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Washington
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia

SFMNP

• Chickasaw Nation
• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Washington
• Washington, D.C.

SoliSYSTEMS

FMNP

• Alabama
• Cherokee Nation
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• New Mexico
• South Carolina

SFMNP

• Alabama
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• New Mexico

Central Bank

FMNP

• Missouri
• Pennsylvania

SFMNP

• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Pennsylvania

RP Solutions

FMNP

• Minnesota
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

SFMNP

• Kansas
• Minnesota
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

Market Link

FMNP

• Indiana

SFMNP

• Indiana

Other Provider

FMNP

• Georgia
• Maine
• Maryland
• Michigan
• New Jersey

SFMNP

• Georgia
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• Washington, D.C

Undecided

FMNP

• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Florida
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• Nevada
• Ohio
• Omaha Nation
• Tennessee

SFMNP

• Alaska
• California
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Michigan
• Montana
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee

Resources for State Agencies

Technical Resources

FNS encourages FMNP and SFMNP state agencies to review the WIC FMNP and SFMNP FY 2022 Guidance Package, which sets forth the process to pursue program operational changes. Operational changes may include implementing an eSolution or seeking program flexibilities through waiver requests.

Learn more

WIC FMNP Waivers

FNS is supporting flexibility and innovation through the waiver authority granted under the American Rescue Plan Act (PL 117-2, ARPA). Under this authority, WIC FMNP state agencies can request regulatory and statutory waivers to test new and innovative models of operation. ARPA waiver authority applies only to WIC FMNP and does not give FNS the authority to approve waivers for SFMNP.

Learn more

On April 18, 2024 FNS held a briefing for external partners on the WIC Food Packages Final Rule.

This policy memorandum transmits the 2024-2025 Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) that were published in the Federal Register on Feb. 13, 2024, at 89 FR 10022.

Section 17(d)(2)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42 USC 1786(d)(2)(A)), requires the establishment of income criteria to be used with nutritional risk criteria in determining a person’s eligibility for participation in the WIC Program. Income eligibility for the WIC program is determined using income standards as prescribed under Section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 USC 1758(b)). The income limit is 185 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines, as adjusted. Section 9(b) also requires that these guidelines be revised annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The annual revision for 2024 was published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at 88 FR 3424, on Jan. 17, 2024. In accordance with the established income guidance, the revised WIC income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations at 7 CFR 246.7(d).

WIC state agencies may implement the revised IEGs concurrently with the implementation of IEGs under the Medicaid Program. State agencies that do not coordinate implementation with the Medicaid program must implement the revised WIC IEGs no later than July 1, 2024.

WIC state agencies must ensure that Management Information Systems incorporate the 2024-25 changes accordingly.

A supplemental chart is attached for state agencies to use in determining the annual, monthly, twice-monthly, biweekly and weekly income limits. There is also a chart for families greater than eight.

SARA OLSON
Director
Policy Division
Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs

Attachment

• Income Eligibility Guidelines

Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (“Department”) announces adjusted income eligibility guidelines to be used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations.

Dates

Applicable date July 1, 2024.

Description

Section 17(d)(2)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42 USC 1786(d)(2)(A)), requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish income criteria to be used with nutritional risk criteria in determining a person's eligibility for participation in the WIC Program. The law provides that persons will be income-eligible for the WIC Program if they are members of families that satisfy the income standard prescribed for reduced-price school meals under section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 USC 1758(b)). Under section 9(b), the income limit for reduced-price school meals is 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, as adjusted.

Section 9(b) also requires that these guidelines be revised annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The annual revision for 2024 was published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at 89 FR 2961 on Jan. 17, 2024. The guidelines published by HHS are referred to as the “poverty guidelines.”

Program Regulations at 7 CFR 246.7(d)(1) specify that state agencies may prescribe income guidelines either equaling the income guidelines established under Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act for reduced-price school meals, or identical to state or local guidelines for free or reduced-price health care. However, in conforming WIC income guidelines to state or local health care guidelines, the state cannot establish WIC guidelines which exceed the guidelines for reduced-price school meals, or which are less than 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Consistent with the method used to compute income eligibility guidelines for reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program, the poverty guidelines were multiplied by 1.85 and the results rounded upward to the next whole dollar.

Currently, the Department is publishing the maximum and minimum WIC income eligibility guidelines by household size for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. Consistent with section 17(f)(17) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42 USC 1786(f)(17)), a state agency may implement the revised WIC income eligibility guidelines concurrently with the implementation of income eligibility guidelines under the Medicaid Program established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 USC 1396, et seq.). state agencies may coordinate implementation with the revised Medicaid guidelines, i.e., earlier in the year, but in no case may implementation take place later than July 1, 2024. State agencies that do not coordinate implementation with the revised Medicaid guidelines must implement the WIC income eligibility guidelines on or before July 1, 2024.

Income Eligibility Guidelines

Each year the Food and Nutrition Service, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children announces the WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence program, formerly known as the Loving Support Award of Excellence. The award program was established to recognize local WIC agencies that have provided exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support activities. The intent is to provide models and motivate other local agencies to strengthen their breastfeeding promotion and support activities and ultimately increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates among WIC participants.

The award is given at three levels of performance that build on one another: Gold, Premiere, and Elite. This approach recognizes three groups of agencies that include those that are demonstrating model practices, as well as those who are at varying stages of implementing exemplary breastfeeding promotion and support practices.

In 2023 there were: 111 Gold Awards, 13 Premiere Awards, and 1 Elite Award.

Click on any state below to view 2023 awardees in that region.

Mid-Atlantic Region (MARO)

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Mountain Plains Region (MPRO)

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Midwest Region (MWRO)

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Northeast Region (NERO)

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Southeast Region (SERO)

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Southwest Region (SWRO)

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Western Region (WRO)

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WIC contributes to healthy outcomes for moms and their young children, yet only half of eligible women, infants, and children participate in the program (FNS, 2023). To make sure that eligible families know about WIC and the benefits it provides, FNS is investing in outreach.

Key Activities

The 2024 application period opens on Oct. 10, 2023 and closes on Dec. 15, 2023.

What are the awards?

Recognition will be given at 3 levels of performance:

• Gold Award
• Premiere Award (mid-level)
• Elite Award (highest level award)

Local WIC agencies may apply for any award level and will receive the highest eligible award based on the criteria as noted in the application instructions.

Who can apply?

• Must be a local WIC agency*
• Must have operated a peer counseling program for at least 1 year
• Peer counseling program must meet all of the required core components of the FNS WIC Breastfeeding Model for Peer Counseling for a successful peer counseling program.

*Local WIC agencies designated by state WIC agencies on WIC Local Agency Directory Report Form FNS–648.

Instructions and Applications

The instructions and applications are available on WIC Works Resource System during the application period. The application is linked on the top of this home page or can be located by selecting the dropdown menu and selecting ‘Apply for a WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence'.
 

Previous Awards

• 2023 awardees

• In 2022 FNS awarded WIC Breastfeeding Award to 97 WIC local agencies: 85 Gold, including 2 Tribal Organizations, and 12 Premiere.
• In 2021 FNS awarded WIC Breastfeeding Award to 102 WIC local agencies: 90 Gold, including 1 Tribal Organization, and 11 Premiere and 1 Elite.
• In 2020 FNS awarded WIC Breastfeeding Award to 111 WIC local agencies: 99 Gold, including 3 Tribal Organizations, and 12 Premiere.
• In 2019 FNS awarded 100 WIC local agencies: 84 Gold, including 1 Tribal Organization, and 16 Premiere.
• In 2018 FNS awarded 90 certificates: 78 Gold and 12 Premiere.
• In 2017 FNS awarded 90 certificates: 83 Gold, including 5 Tribal Organizations, 6 Premiere and 1 Elite.
• In 2016 FNS awarded 83 certificates: 75 Gold and 8 Premiere.
• In 2015 FNS awarded 55 certificates: 50 Gold and 5 Premiere.

Infant Feeding in WIC

Breastfeeding provides many health benefits. Mothers participating in WIC are encouraged to breastfeed their infants, if possible.

Learn more about WIC Breastfeeding Support and these Helpful Tips for Combination Feeding.

Keeping Your Baby Safe

Whether you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding, it’s important to follow practices that protect your baby’s health. Click on each icon below to learn more about these tips.

Breast Milk Safety Tips

Infant Formula Safety Tips

Additional Resources

In general, WIC is administered in each state or territory by state health departments or tribal organizations.

Who Gets WIC?

To be eligible for the WIC program, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• Categorical
• Residential
• Income
• Nutrition Risk (View details about WIC's eligibility requirements.)

Contact the WIC State or Local Agency

Contact the WIC state or local agency serving your area to schedule an appointment. Applicants will be advised about what to bring to the WIC appointment to help determine eligibility. Many of the state agencies listed provide a toll-free number for you to call and/or a website about the WIC program operating in that area.

Length of Participation

WIC is a short-term program. Therefore, a participant will "graduate" at the end of one or more certification periods. A certification period is the length of time a WIC participant is eligible to receive benefits. Depending on whether the individual is pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, an infant, or a child, an eligible individual usually receives WIC benefits from 6 months to a year, at which time s/he must reapply.

Waiting List/Priority System

Sometimes WIC agencies do not have enough money to serve everyone who needs WIC or calls to apply. When this happens, WIC agencies must keep a list, called a waiting list, of individuals who want to apply and are likely to be served. WIC agencies then use a special system, called a Priority System, to determine who will get WIC benefits first when more people can be served. The purpose of the priority system is to make sure that WIC services and benefits are provided first to participants with the most serious health conditions such as anemia (low blood levels), underweight, history of problems during pregnancy. Learn about the Waiting List/Priority System.

Moving

WIC participants who move from one area or state to another are placed at the top of a waiting list when they move and are also served first when the WIC agency can serve more individuals. WIC participants who move can continue to receive WIC benefits until their certification period expires as long as there is proof that the individual received WIC benefits in another area or state. Before a participant moves, they should tell the WIC office. In most cases, WIC staff will give the participant a special card which proves that the individual participated in the WIC program. When the individual moves, they can call the new WIC office for an appointment and take the special card to the WIC appointment in the new area or state.

The Food and Nutrition Service administers the WIC program at the federal level; state agencies are responsible for determining participant eligibility and providing benefits and services, and for authorizing vendors.

To apply to be a WIC participant, you will need to contact your state or local agency to set up an appointment. Check out your state's website or call the toll-free number. When you call to set up an appointment, someone will tell you the location nearest your home and what you need to bring with you.

To apply to be a WIC vendor, you will need to contact your state agency.

• Fact sheet about WIC retail stores
• Contact WIC in Your Area
  • State agency contact information
• Who gets WIC and how to apply
• Eligibility requirements

Introduction

This policy memorandum provides guidance on data sharing activities that support targeted outreach and streamlined certification processes aimed at increasing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participation and retention. It expresses the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) support of data sharing, provides an overview of data sharing relevant to WIC, summarizes WIC program guidance on sharing confidential WIC participant data, and lays the groundwork for future guidance and resources to help WIC state agencies expand outreach and streamline the certification process.

In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA, PL 117-2) provided the USDA with funds to carry out outreach, innovation, and program modernization efforts to increase participation and redemption of benefits in the WIC program (for more information, see WIC and WIC FMNP Informational Memorandum: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (PL 117-2), Program Modernization (FNS-GD-2021-0023)). As part of these efforts, which have been informed by input from diverse program stakeholders, the FNS is working to advance data sharing at the state and local agency levels.

FNS supports WIC state and local agency data sharing efforts that aim to increase program enrollment and retention. FNS is committed to developing tools and resources, facilitating information sharing, and providing technical assistance and funding opportunities to assist in establishing, maintaining, and improving data sharing activities. Likewise, FNS encourages WIC state agencies to allocate resources to data sharing efforts that allow WIC-eligible individuals to access program benefits and services in a straightforward and timely manner.

Data Sharing Overview

Data sharing involves the secure and confidential exchange of pertinent information about an individual between a WIC and non-WIC entity, with the intent of streamlining access to program benefits by eligible individuals.

WIC state and local agencies may engage in data sharing, with appropriate agreements and consent(s) between various programs and entities, including but not limited to, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), programs conferring automatic income eligibility, healthcare providers, or healthcare information exchange networks. State SNAP and Medicaid agencies can engage in data-sharing with WIC in accordance with their respective legal authorities, at Section 11(e)(8) of the Food and Nutrition Act and Section 1902(a)(7) of the Social Security Act, with implementing regulations at 42 CFR part 431, subpart F, respectively.

Section 17(f)(22) of the Child Nutrition Act (PL 89-642) and Sections 1902(a)(11)(C) and 1902(a)(53) of the Social Security Act require the coordination of efforts between WIC state agencies and state Medicaid programs. These requirements are further specified in Medicaid regulations at 42 CFR §431.635 (c). WIC state agencies should continue and/or renew collaboration with their state Medicaid counterparts to ensure services are coordinated.

FNS encourages WIC state and local agencies to consider ways to streamline WIC certification and should explore ways to develop, update, and utilize data sharing agreements, including:

1. Facilitate Targeted Outreach: Identify and conduct targeted outreach to income-eligible individuals using participation data sourced from adjunctive and/or automatic income eligibility programs. This process is also referred to as data matching or in-reach. For example, with an agreement in place, WIC and SNAP could match data for all children under five actively participating over the previous three months. Once the data has been matched, children who are enrolled on SNAP but not on WIC could be identified for outreach activities by the WIC program. Data obtained for matching may include, but is not limited to, an individual’s name(s), date of birth, phone number(s), address(es), and/or language preference for best results.
   • Programs that confer adjunctive income eligibility include SNAP, Medicaid¹, and TANF².
   • Programs that confer automatic income eligibility are state-administered programs designated by the WIC state agency that routinely require documentation of income and have income eligibility guidelines at or below the state agency’s WIC program income guidelines³.
2. Leverage Adjunctive and Automatic Eligibility: Use data available from applicable programs to determine adjunctive or automatic eligibility in preparation for or during certification and/or recertification to reduce the burden on applicants and participants to provide this information.
3. Simplify Collection of Certification Documentation: Streamline the document collection process for certification, including proof of identity, residency, automatic/adjunct eligibility (see above), income, and/or referral data, from available sources to reduce participant burden.
4. Streamline Collection of Nutritional Risk Data: Source additional nutrition risk data, such as anthropometric measurements (height and weight or length) and bloodwork (hematological test for anemia) from external programs or entities (e.g., healthcare providers or information exchanges) to increase the efficiency of the enrollment and nutrition assessment processes and reduce participant burden. In addition to the required data, WIC state agencies may allow external sourcing of other medical data relevant to the nutrition assessment process, such as past or current diagnoses, medication records, or test results.
5. Include WIC in Adjunct Program Applications: Develop joint applications for adjunctive programs that include WIC as an option. For instance, if Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF have a joint application, WIC criteria may be added to the application. For such joint applications with Medicaid, there are some restrictions. First, any joint applications must be reviewed and approved by the Secretary of HHS. See 42 CFR 435.907(b)(2). Second, to the extent that such information is not also needed for a Medicaid eligibility determination, such information must be optional and clearly differentiated from Medicaid criteria. See 42 CFR 435.907(e)(1). Data from such applications relevant to WIC can be routed to WIC for completion of certification and enrollment.

This is not an exhaustive list of data sharing or certification streamlining initiatives state agencies may wish to pursue. Local agencies should coordinate with their state agency regarding any planned data sharing initiatives to ensure that all WIC program requirements are met. WIC state agencies should reach out to their respective FNS regional office with any questions or needs for technical assistance.

Medicaid Program Requirements for Data Sharing and Confidentiality

Medicaid state agencies must restrict the use or disclosure of information concerning Medicaid applicants and beneficiaries to purposes directly connected with the administration of the state plan under section 1902(a)(7) of the Act and implementing regulations at 42 CFR part 431, subpart F. Sharing data with a WIC state or local agency in order to facilitate or modernize coordination efforts required under Sections 1902(a)(11)(C) and 1902(a)(53) of the Social Security Act, is a purpose directly related to the administration of the state plan.

Any release of information from the state Medicaid agency to the WIC state agency must comply with all Medicaid confidentiality requirements at 42 CFR § 431.306(b)); and

• Permission must be obtained from the Medicaid applicant or beneficiary before the agency releases information to an outside source (42 CFR § 431.306(d)). This consent could be obtained by either agency (e.g., on the Medicaid application, during the WIC interview, or at another time period).

WIC Program Requirements for Data Sharing and Confidentiality

Overview
Per WIC regulations, confidential information refers to any information that individually identifies an applicant or participant and/or family member(s).⁴ While this type of data must be kept confidential, it may be shared in some circumstances, including to assist with certifying or recertifying people in the program. This section summarizes relevant key requirements in WIC regulations and guidance pertaining to the use and disclosure of confidential WIC applicant and participant information so far as they relate to data sharing, including those requirements in WIC regulations at 246.26(d), 246.26(h), and 246.26(i); FNS Instruction 800-1; and the requirements from Policy Memorandum #2002-2 summarized below:

Notably, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA; PL 104-191) does not apply to WIC. WIC state agencies are not authorized to use WIC funds to pay any costs to make a data system HIPAA compliant. However, if a WIC state agency is seeking data from a program that must comply with HIPAA, then WIC state agencies are authorized to use WIC funds to develop a crosswalk or interface to access/read such HIPAA-compliant data (for more information, see Policy Memorandum #2002-2). FNS supports state agencies in developing such crosswalks or interfaces and encourages state agencies to consult with their regional office on opportunities and allowable uses of federal funds prior to beginning projects.

The WIC program requirements do not apply when WIC agencies only receive data from other programs or entities and no data originating from the WIC program are being shared. Likewise, this section does not cover rules governing data sharing for other programs or entities. WIC state agencies must identify and uphold the requirements for using confidential information from a source external to WIC. Requirements may vary by jurisdiction, and FNS encourages WIC state agencies to work with their appropriate legal counsel to ensure all requirements are met.

The following are the different requirements for sharing data for WIC and non-WIC purposes.

Sharing Data for WIC Purposes⁵
FNS does not require confidentiality agreements or participant release forms when data sharing is for WIC purposes. WIC staff may disclose confidential information to people directly connected with the administration or enforcement of the WIC program whom the state agency determine have a need to know the information for WIC program purposes, including but not limited to:

• Personnel from the WIC state and local agencies and other state or local agencies (note: such personnel must have ongoing involvement in the operation or management of the WIC program);
• Persons under contract with the state agency to perform research regarding WIC; and
• Persons investigating or prosecuting WIC program violations under federal, state, or local law.

Examples of data sharing for WIC purposes include sharing participant data to provide a verification of certification and monitoring dual participation.

Sharing Data for Non-WIC Purposes⁶
WIC state or local agencies may also use or share confidential applicant and participant information for use in the administration of programs that serve persons eligible for WIC, including other programs administered by the health department and by public organizations. For instance, in addition to the adjunctive and automatic eligibility programs previously described programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start, Immunizations, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are often administered by the state health department or other public organization and may be considered for such data sharing initiatives. This is considered data sharing for non-WIC purposes. The following requirements apply to sharing WIC applicant and participant data for non-WIC purposes:

The recipient organization may only use such data for the following purposes⁷:

1. Determine the eligibility of WIC applicants and participants for programs administered by such organizations;
2. Conduct outreach for such programs;
3. Enhance the health, education, or well-being of WIC applicants and participants currently enrolled in those programs;
4. Streamline administrative procedures to minimize burdens on participants and staff; and,
5. Assess and evaluate a state's health system in terms of responsiveness to participants' health care needs and health care outcomes.

The WIC state or local agency must take the following steps before using or disclosing confidential applicant or participant information for non-WIC purposes⁸:

1. The state’s chief health officer (or, in the case of an Indian Tribal Organization (ITO), the governing authority) must designate in writing the permitted non-WIC use of the information, and the names of the organizations to which such information may be disclosed.
2. The applicant or participant must be notified either at the time of application or through a subsequent notice that the state agency may disclose information about their participation in the WIC program for non-WIC purposes.
3. The state or local agency disclosing the information must enter into a written agreement with the other organization or, in the case of a non-WIC use by a state or local WIC agency, the unit of the state or local agency that will be using the information.
   1. Written agreements must (i) specify that the use or disclosure of WIC participant and applicant information will be limited to the five purposes allowed by WIC regulations (see above) and (ii) contain the receiving organization's assurance that it will not use the information for any other purpose or disclose the information to a third party.
   2. WIC state and local agencies may disclose confidential information to individuals or entities when there is not a written agreement in place if the affected applicant or participant signs a release form authorizing the disclosure and specifying the parties to which the information may be disclosed.
      1. Applicants and participants must be allowed to refuse to sign the release form and must be made aware that signing the form is not a condition of eligibility, nor will refusing to sign the form affect their participation in WIC.
      2. Release forms authorizing disclosure to private physicians or other health care providers may be included as part of the WIC application or certification process. All other requests for applicants or participants to sign voluntary release forms must occur after completing the application and certification process.
4. The state agency must include in its state plan a list of all organizations with which the state agency or its local agencies has executed, or intends to execute, a written agreement.

Forthcoming Resources

FNS recognizes WIC state and local agencies may face barriers in initiating and maintaining data sharing efforts and seeks to further understand and help agencies overcome these challenges. We further recognize WIC agencies have varying types and degrees of data sharing activities underway and therefore have diverse needs for support.

FNS is committed to sharing information and resources, facilitating state and local agency sharing of best practices and lessons learned from existing data sharing initiatives, and offering funding opportunities to help WIC agencies start or expand efforts in this area. FNS is also collaborating with federal partners to promote and support data sharing across programs.

FNS encourages WIC state agencies to regularly communicate with their respective regional office regarding question, including to share any needs, and/or updates related to data sharing activities. We look forward to working together to advance data sharing toward better reaching and serving more WIC-eligible families.

SARA OLSON
Director
Policy Division
Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs

¹ See 7 CFR 246.7(d)(2)(vi)(A) stating that Medicaid refers solely to the medical assistance program established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

² 7 CFR 246.7(d)(2)(vi)(A)

³ 7 CFR 246.7(d)(2)(vi)(B)

⁴ 7 CFR 246.26(d)(1)(i)

⁵ 7 CFR 246.26(d)(1)

⁶ CFR 246.26(d)(2)

⁷ 7 CFR 246.7(i)(11)

⁸ 7 CFR 246.26(h)(2)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold a five-day consultation series, “USDA Tribal Consultations on Barriers/Equity: Annual Progress Report & Feedback for Next Steps,” virtually April 24-May 1, 2023. This is the third annual USDA consultation held in response to President Biden’s Presidential Memo on Tribal Consultations and his Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities.

Tribal leaders have requested USDA affirm how staff are incorporating tribal input on barriers to effectively accessing programs. During the meeting, USDA consulting officials will report out on progress made since last year’s consultation and seek tribal input on outstanding barriers.
Since the first consultation on equity and barriers in March 2021, USDA agencies have implemented changes to remove barriers to service for tribal nations and producers. Some of the improvements made in 2022 include:

• Indigenous Animals Eligibility: The Farm Service Agency (FSA) ensured that bovine tuberculosis (M. bovis) in bison was eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
• Indigenous Foods Inclusion: The Food and Nutrition Service published a proposed rule to allow indigenous starchy vegetables - like timpsila (prairie turnips) – to substitute for grains in child nutrition programs.
• Trust Lands Eligibility: The U.S. Forest Service clarified that tribal trust lands are eligible to serve as base property in order to qualify for Forest and National Grasslands grazing permits.
• Tribal Government Consent Requirements: Rural Development is clarifying that the permits and approvals for large infrastructure projects - like broadband - are required before financing includes tribal government approvals when building on tribal lands (often through a tribal resolution of support).
• Tribal Owned Entities Eligibility: Rural Development drafted a proposed rule for the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program to clarify tribal-owned entities (arms and instrumentalities) eligibility and better recognize how tribes structure themselves.

Each day of the consultations will focus on different themes that are key priority areas for the Biden-Harris Administration. Senior USDA consulting officials from each agency will listen to concerns from official representatives from among the 574 federally recognized tribal nations. Before each consultation, tribal organizations will facilitate caucuses to have tribal leaders to meet prior to the consultation without federal staff present to organize among themselves and discuss the issues.

Economic Development
Date: Monday, April 24, 2023
Time: 2:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET Tribal Caucus (Indian Country only/No federal)
3:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET Tribal Consultation & Listening Session

Food, Safety, and Trade
Date: Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Time: 2:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET - Tribal Caucus (Indian Country only/No federal)
3:00 -5:30 p.m. ET - Tribal Consultation & Listening Session

Farming, Ranching, and Conservation
Date: Thursday, April 27, 2023
Time: 2:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET - Tribal Caucus (Indian Country only/No federal)
3:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET - Tribal Consultation & Listening Session

Forests and Public Lands
Date: Friday, April 28, 2023
Time: 2:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET - Tribal Caucus (Indian Country only/No federal)
3:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET - Tribal Consultation & Listening Session

Education and Research
Date: Monday, May 1, 2022
Time: 2:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET - Tribal Caucus (Indian Country only/No federal)
3:00 - 5:30 p.m. ET - Tribal Consultation & Listening Session

On March 29, 2023, the USDA Office of Tribal Relations distributed “Dear Tribal Leader” letters announcing these consultation sessions to Indian Country. These tribal consultations are formal, government-to-government meetings between USDA officials and tribal nations. Tribal organizations, tribal citizens, and tribal nation staff are welcome to attend. Elected tribal leaders, proxy representatives with authority to speak on behalf of a tribal nation, and USDA consulting officials have speaking roles at these events. USDA agencies and offices host consultations throughout the year to hear from tribal nations about how USDA policies and programs can be developed to better support tribal nation interests. To view framing papers for these consultations or further details, visit www.usda.gov/tribalrelations/tribal-consultations.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• Categorical
• Residential
• Income
• Nutrition Risk

Categorical Requirement

The WIC program is designed to serve certain categories of women, infants and children. Therefore, the following individuals are considered categorically eligible for WIC:

Women

• Pregnant (during pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after the birth of an infant or the end of the pregnancy
• Postpartum (up to six months after the birth of the infant or the end of the pregnancy)
• Breastfeeding (up to the infant's first birthday)

Infants (up to the infant's first birthday)

Children (up to the child's fifth birthday)

Residential Requirement

Applicants must live in the state in which they apply. Applicants served in areas where WIC is administered by an Indian Tribal Organization (ITO) must meet residency requirements established by the ITO. At state agency option, applicants may be required to live in a local service area and apply at a WIC clinic that serves that area. Applicants are not required to live in the state or local service area for a certain amount of time in order to meet the WIC residency requirement.

Income Requirement

To be eligible for WIC, applicants must have income at or below an income level or standard set by the state agency or be determined automatically income-eligible based on participation in certain programs.

Income Standard. The state agency's income standard must be between 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (issued each year by the Department of Health and Human Services), but cannot be more than 185 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines.

• WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines

Automatic Income Eligibility. Certain applicants can be determined income-eligible for WIC based on their participation in certain programs. These included individuals:

• eligible to receive SNAP benefits, Medicaid, for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, formerly known as AFDC, Aid to Families with Dependent Children),
• in which certain family members are eligible to receive Medicaid or TANF, or
• at state agency option, individuals that are eligible to participate in certain other state-administered programs.

Nutrition Risk Requirement

Applicants must be seen by a health professional such as a physician, nurse, or nutritionist who must determine whether the individual is at nutrition risk. In many cases, this is done in the WIC clinic at no cost to the applicant. However, this information can be obtained from another health professional such as the applicant's physician.

"Nutrition risk" means that an individual has medical-based or dietary-based conditions. Examples of medical-based conditions include anemia (low blood levels), underweight, or history of poor pregnancy outcome. A dietary-based condition includes, for example, a poor diet.

At a minimum, the applicant's height and weight must be measured and bloodwork taken to check for anemia. An applicant must have at least one of the medical or dietary conditions on the state's list of WIC nutrition risk criteria.

The WIC Prescreening Tool is a web-based application intended to help potential WIC applicants determine if they are likely to be eligible for WIC benefits. Users who are likely to be eligible to receive WIC benefits are provided with state-specific contact information and are encouraged to make a certification appointment with their WIC local agencies. Additionally, users are provided with a printable summary of their responses and a list of examples of the documentation that is required at an initial certification appointment.

• Check the WIC Prescreening Tool to find out if you might be eligible for WIC benefits.

Who is eligible?

Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age five are eligible. They must meet income guidelines, a state residency requirement, and be individually determined to be at "nutritional risk" by a health professional.

To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants' gross income (i.e., before taxes are withheld) must fall at or below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines.

Income Eligibility Guidelines
(effective 07/01/2024 - 06/30/2025)

Household Size	Annually	Monthly	Weekly
Family of 1	$27,861	$2,322	$536
Family of 2	37,814	3,152	728
Family of 3	47,767	3,981	919
Family of 4	57,720	4,810	1,110
Family of 5	67,673	5,640	1,302
Family of 6	77,626	6,469	1,493
Family of 7	87,579	7,299	1,685
Family of 8	97,532	8,128	1,876
For each add'l family member, add	+ $9,953	+ 830	+ 192

While most states use the maximum guidelines, states may set lower income limit standards. A person or certain family members who participate in other benefits programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families automatically meet the income eligibility requirement.

• How to Apply to Participate in WIC
• Are you eligible for WIC benefits?

What is "nutritional risk?"

Two major types of nutritional risk are recognized for WIC eligibility:

• Medically-based risks (designated as "high priority") such as anemia, underweight, maternal age, history of pregnancy complications, or poor pregnancy outcomes.
• Diet-based risks such as inadequate dietary pattern.

Nutritional risk is determined by a health professional such as a physician, nutritionist, or nurse, and is based on federal guidelines. This health screening is free to program applicants.

Beginning April 1, 1999, state agencies use WIC nutrition risk criteria from a list established for use in the WIC program. WIC nutrition risk criteria were developed by FNS in conjunction with state and local WIC agency experts. WIC state agencies are not required to use all of the nutritional risk criteria on the new list. FNS will update the list of criteria, as necessary, when new scientific evidence shows, after review by FNS and other health and nutrition experts, that the condition can be improved by providing WIC program benefits and services.

How many people does WIC serve?

During fiscal year (FY) 2018, the number of women, infants, and children receiving WIC benefits each month reached approximately 6.87 million. For the first 5 months of FY 2019, states reported average monthly participation over 6.4 million participants per month. In 1974, the first year WIC was permanently authorized, 88,000 people participated. By 1980, participation was at 1.9 million; by 1985, 3.1 million; by 1990, 4.5 million; and by 2000, 7.2 million. Average monthly participation for FY 2017 was approximately 7.3 million.

Children have always been the largest category of WIC participants. Of the 6.87 million people who received WIC benefits each month in FY 2018, approximately 3.52 million were children, 1.71 million were infants, and 1.63 million were women.

WIC Program Data

Where is WIC available?

WIC state agency contact information

What food benefits do WIC participants receive?

In most WIC state agencies, WIC participants receive checks or vouchers to purchase specific foods each month that are designed to supplement their diets with specific nutrients that benefit WIC's target population. In addition, some states issue an electronic benefit card to participants instead of paper checks or vouchers. The use of electronic cards is growing and all WIC state agencies are required to implement WIC electronic benefit transfer (EBT) statewide by Oct. 1, 2020. A few state agencies distribute the WIC foods through warehouses or deliver the foods to participants' homes. Different food packages are provided for different categories of participants.

WIC foods include infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin C-rich fruit or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried and canned beans/peas, and canned fish. Soy-based beverages, tofu, fruits and vegetables, baby foods, whole-wheat bread, and other whole-grain options were recently added to better meet the nutritional needs of WIC participants.

WIC recognizes and promotes breastfeeding as the optimal source of nutrition for infants. For women who do not fully breastfeed, WIC provides iron-fortified infant formula. Special infant formulas and medical foods may be provided when prescribed by a physician for a specified medical condition.

Details about the WIC food packages

Who gets first priority for participation?

If WIC cannot serve all the eligible people who apply for benefits, so a system of priorities has been established for filling program openings. Once a local WIC agency has reached its maximum caseload, vacancies are generally filled in the order of the following priority levels:

• Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants determined to be at nutritional risk because of serious medical problems.
• Infants up to 6 months of age whose mothers participated in WIC or could have participated and had serious medical problems.
• Children (up to age 5) at nutritional risk because of serious medical problems.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women and infants at nutritional risk because of dietary problems (like poor diet).
• Children (up to age 5) at nutritional risk because of dietary problems.
• Non-breastfeeding, postpartum women with any nutritional risk.
• Individuals at nutritional risk only because they are homeless or migrants, and current participants who without WIC foods could continue to have medical and/or dietary problems.

What is the WIC infant formula rebate system?

Mothers participating in WIC are encouraged to breastfeed their infants if possible, but WIC state agencies provide infant formula for mothers who choose to use this feeding method. WIC state agencies are required by law to have competitively bid infant formula rebate contracts with infant formula manufacturers. This means WIC state agencies agree to provide one brand of infant formula and in return the manufacturer gives the state agency a rebate for each can of infant formula purchased by WIC participants. The brand of infant formula provided by WIC varies by state agency depending on which company has the rebate contract in a particular state.

By negotiating rebates with formula manufacturers, states are able to serve more people. For FY 2021, rebate savings were $1.6 billion, supporting an average of 1.59 million participants each month, or 25.5 percent of the estimated average monthly caseload.

What is the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program?

The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, established in 1992, provides additional coupons to WIC participants that they can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets. FMNP is funded through a congressionally mandated set-aside in the WIC appropriation. The program has two goals: To provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables, from farmers' markets to WIC participants who are at nutritional risk; and to expand consumers' awareness and use of farmers' markets.

By Nov. 15 of each year, each applying or participating state agency must submit to the FNS regional office for approval a state plan for the following year as a prerequisite to receiving funds. FMNP state plan guidance may also be obtained at the FNS regional office.

An administering FMNP state agency may be the agriculture department, the health department, or any other agency approved by the chief executive officer of the state or indian tribal organization.

FMNP state agency directory

For more information about WIC

• WIC Fact Sheet
• WIC agencies serving participants in your area
• How to Apply to Participate in WIC

Contact the USDA Food and Nutrition Service Public Information Staff at 703-305-2286, or by mail at 1320 Braddock Place, Suite 300, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

This policy memorandum transmits the 2023-24 Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) that were published in the Federal Register on Feb. 21, 2023, at 88 FR 10495.

Section 17(d)(2)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42 USC 1786(d)(2)(A)), requires the establishment of income criteria to be used with nutritional risk criteria in determining a person’s eligibility for participation in the WIC program. Income eligibility for the WIC program is determined using income standards as prescribed under Section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 USC 1758(b)). The income limit is 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, as adjusted. Section 9(b) also requires that these guidelines be revised annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The annual revision for 2023 was published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at 88 FR 3424, on Jan. 19, 2023. In accordance with the established income guidance, the revised WIC income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations at 7 CFR 246.7(d).

WIC state agencies may implement the revised IEGs concurrently with the implementation of IEGs under the Medicaid Program. State agencies that do not coordinate implementation with the Medicaid program must implement the revised WIC IEGs no later than July 1, 2023.

WIC state agencies must ensure that management information systems incorporate the 2023-24 changes accordingly.

A supplemental chart is attached for state agencies to use in determining the annual, monthly, twice-monthly, biweekly and weekly income limits. There is also a chart for families greater than eight.

Sara Olson
Director
Policy Division
Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs

Attachment

• Income Eligibility Guidelines

Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (“Department”) announces adjusted income eligibility guidelines to be used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations.

Dates

Applicable July 1, 2023.

Description

Section 17(d)(2)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42 USC 1786(d)(2)(A)), requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish income criteria to be used with nutritional risk criteria in determining a person's eligibility for participation in the WIC program. The law provides that persons will be income-eligible for the WIC program if they are members of families that satisfy the income standard prescribed for reduced-price school meals under section 9(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 USC 1758(b)). Under section 9(b), the income limit for reduced-price school meals is 185% of the Federal poverty guidelines, as adjusted. Section 9(b) also requires that these guidelines be revised annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The annual revision for 2023 was published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) at 88 FR 3424 on Jan. 19, 2023. The guidelines published by HHS are referred to as the “poverty guidelines.”

Program regulations at 7 CFR 246.7(d)(1) specify that state agencies may prescribe income guidelines either equaling the income guidelines established under Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act for reduced-price school meals, or identical to state or local guidelines for free or reduced-price health care. However, in conforming WIC income guidelines to state or local health care guidelines, the state cannot establish WIC guidelines which exceed the guidelines for reduced-price school meals, or which are less than 100% of the Federal poverty guidelines. Consistent with the method used to compute income eligibility guidelines for reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program, the poverty guidelines were multiplied by 1.85 and the results rounded upward to the next whole dollar.

Currently, the Department is publishing the maximum and minimum WIC income eligibility guidelines by household size for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Consistent with section 17(f)(17) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42 USC 1786(f)(17)), a state agency may implement the revised WIC income eligibility guidelines concurrently with the implementation of income eligibility guidelines under the Medicaid Program established under Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 USC 1396, et seq.). State agencies may coordinate implementation with the revised Medicaid guidelines, i.e., earlier in the year, but in no case may implementation take place later than July 1, 2023. State agencies that do not coordinate implementation with the revised Medicaid guidelines must implement the WIC income eligibility guidelines on or before July 1, 2023.

Income Eligibility Guidelines

These graphics, the latest in a series of annual reports on WIC eligibility, present 2020 national and state estimates of the number of people eligible for WIC benefits and the percents of the eligible population and the US population covered by the program, including estimates by participant category. The graphics also provide estimates by state and U.S. territory and by race and ethnicity.

Key findings

• ​The estimates presented in these graphics were generated using a new and updated methodology and should not be compared directly with previous estimates.
• The average monthly WIC-eligible population totaled 12.51 million in calendar year 2020, essentially unchanged from the revised estimate of 12.50 million in 2019.
• In the average month of 2020, WIC served an estimated 50.2 percent of those eligible for WIC, a statistically insignificant decrease from the revised estimate for 2019 (50.5 percent).
• Consistent with the results from the past decade, the coverage rates for WIC-eligible infants and non-breastfeeding postpartum women were highest among WIC participant subgroups in 2020, while the coverage rate for WIC-eligible children continued to lag behind other groups.
• Coverage rates were highest for Hispanic (64 percent) WIC-eligible individuals and lowest for non-Hispanic White WIC-eligible individuals (38 percent).

Flowchart 1:WIC Eligibility Estimates, 2016–2020

Each year, FNS estimates the number of eligible individuals for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during an average month of the calendar year. FNS uses estimates of the number of individuals eligible for WIC and the number likely to participate to better predict future funding needs, measure WIC performance, and identify potentially unmet nutrition assistance needs.

For the 2016–2020 estimates presented in these graphics, FNS enhanced the methodologies used to produce the eligibility estimates. The national-level estimates use the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS-ASEC) to produce preliminary counts of the number of eligible infants, children, and pregnant women. These counts are then refined through a series of adjustment factors designed to reflect WIC eligibility requirements and population trends more closely. The number of infants eligible for WIC is then used as the starting point to estimate the number of postpartum women eligible for WIC. Separate estimates are produced for breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women because certification periods and benefits vary for these two groups. State-level estimates are based on the American Community Survey (ACS), and the state’s share of the national total are weighted to the CPS-based estimates.

Figure 1: National WIC eligibility and coverage rates by year and participant category

In an average month of 2020, an estimated 12.5 million people were eligible to receive WIC benefits. Of that group, 6.3 million people participated in the program, meaning the share of eligible people who participated in WIC (the coverage rate) was 50 percent.

In 2020, 82 percent of the 1.9 million infants eligible for WIC in the nation were participating in WIC, meaning their WIC benefits were received or picked up. (People who are enrolled but whose benefits are not received or picked up are not counted as participants.)

The numbers of children eligible for WIC at each age from age 1 through 4 are roughly equal—with 2.0 to 2.1 million children eligible at each year of age—but the portion of eligible people participating in WIC drops steadily as children get older, from 57 percent for 1-year-olds to 24 percent for 4-year-olds.

The coverage rate for pregnant women who are eligible for WIC (46 percent) is lower than for eligible postpartum breastfeeding women (60 percent) and non-breastfeeding women (82 percent).

Figure 2: National WIC eligibility and participation over time

These estimates are the latest in a series of WIC eligibility and coverage rates estimates produced for FNS. The estimates for years prior to 2016 (not shown in these graphics) are not completely consistent with the estimates for 2016 to 2020 because of changes to the underlying data sources and enhanced methodologies.

The overall WIC eligibility rate (the percentage of the total population of infants, children aged 1–4, pregnant women, and postpartum women who are estimated to be eligible for the program) declined from 51 percent in 2016 to 48 percent in 2019 before increasing slightly to 49 percent in 2020.

The overall coverage rate (the share of eligible people who receive WIC benefits) generally declined from 55 percent in 2016 to 50 percent in 2020. The relative order of coverage rates by participant category has remained consistent from 2016 to 2020. Across all years, coverage rates were highest for infants and postpartum non-breastfeeding women. Coverage rates for children (with all children aged 1 through 4 considered as a group) were consistently lowest.

Figure 3: National WIC eligibility by race and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity over time

In 2020, 4.8 million White-only non-Hispanic people, 4.0 million Hispanic/Latino people, 2.6 million Black-only non-Hispanic people, and 1.0 million non-Hispanic people of other races or multiple races were eligible for WIC. The number of eligible individuals has generally declined or stayed flat across all racial and ethnic groups between 2016 and 2020. White-only non-Hispanic people had the sharpest decline in eligible individuals from 5.6 million in 2016 to 4.8 million in 2020.

Coverage rates for Hispanic/Latino people were consistently higher than coverage rates for Black-only non-Hispanic people and White-only non-Hispanic people across all years. In 2020, the coverage rate among Hispanic/Latino people (64 percent) was significantly higher than the coverage rate for Black-only non-Hispanic people (50 percent) and White-only non-Hispanic people (38 percent). The relative order of coverage rates for Hispanic/Latino people, Black-only non-Hispanic people, and White-only non-Hispanic people has remained consistent from 2016 to 2020.

Coverage rates have generally declined between 2016 to 2020 for all racial and ethnic groups except for non-Hispanic people who identify as two or more races or a race other than Black only or White only. The coverage rate for this group declined from 61 percent in 2016 to 54 percent in 2017 before increasing to 60 percent in 2018 then steadily declining to 56 percent in 2020. For Hispanic/Latino people, the coverage rate declined from 72 percent in 2016 to 64 percent in 2020. For Black-only non-Hispanic people, the coverage rate declined from 53 percent in 2016 to 50 percent in 2020. For White-only non-Hispanic people, the coverage rate declined from 41 percent in 2016 to 38 percent in 2020.

In the figure below, we use the term “Hispanic/Latino” for consistency with the terminology used in the CPS-ASEC survey. “White-only, not Hispanic” people include non-Hispanic people who do not report identifying with any race other than White. “Black-only, not Hispanic” people include non-Hispanic people who do not report identifying with any race other than Black.

Figure 4: Demographic characteristics of infants and children eligible for WIC in 2020

Among all infants and children eligible for WIC in 2020, 3.9 million were White-only non-Hispanic, 3.2 million were Hispanic/Latino, 2.1 million were Black-only non-Hispanic, and 0.8 million were non-Hispanic people of other races or multiple races. Hispanic/Latino infants and children had the highest coverage rate in 2020 (62 percent). The coverage rate was estimated at 47 percent for Black-only non-Hispanic infants and children, 35 percent for White-only non-Hispanic infants and children, and 59 percent for non-Hispanic infants and children of other races and multiple races.

Seventy-seven percent of infants and children eligible for WIC in 2020 lived in households with four or more members. Only 5 percent lived in households with two members (one infant or child living with one adult).

Fifty-seven percent of infants and children who were eligible for WIC in 2020 lived in two-parent households, while 37 percent lived in single-parent households, and 6 percent lived with a caretaker who is not a parent. About 6 percent of infants and children eligible for WIC lived with a family member who had ever served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and about 1 percent lived with a family member currently serving in the military. About 49 percent of infants and children eligible for WIC were female and 51 percent were male.

Individuals may be adjunctively income-eligible for WIC if they or certain household members can document participation in Medicaid (which provides health coverage), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, more commonly known as food stamps, which supplements a family’s resources for purposes of buying food), or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program (which provides cash aid and funding for other services). Among all the infants and children eligible for WIC, 37 percent were enrolled in Medicaid but did not receive SNAP or TANF cash benefits, 31 percent participated in both Medicaid and SNAP (but did not receive financial help from TANF), 11 percent participated in SNAP (but were not aided by Medicaid and did not receive TANF cash aid), and 4 percent participated in all three of these programs. The remaining 17 percent of infants and children eligible for WIC did not receive benefits from any of these three programs (although they might have participated in other state-administered means-tested programs that confer automatic income eligibility).

Figure 5: Coverage rates by state in 2020

The WIC coverage rate varies substantially across states. In 2020, nine states had an overall WIC coverage rate (across all demographic groups eligible for WIC) below 40 percent, while three states, California, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, had a coverage rate over 60 percent. Puerto Rico had a coverage rate of 81 percent. With only one possible exception, the coverage rates for the demographic groups followed the national pattern: infants had the highest coverage rates, women had lower coverage rates, and children (combining all ages 1 through 4) had lower coverage rates than the combined group of pregnant and postpartum women. The possible exceptions are Maine and New Hampshire, where coverage rates are the same for children and women. This may be a result of the smaller sample sizes in Maine and New Hampshire.

Confidence intervals can be computed to calculate different levels of certainty in state coverage rates compared to national coverage rates. The figure displays up or down arrows on a state’s coverage rate if the selected state’s coverage rate is significantly higher (up arrow) or lower (down arrow) than the national coverage rate for the selected population based on the 95 percent confidence interval. In such instances, we can be 95 percent confident that the true coverage rate for that state is significantly different than the national coverage rate.

Figure 6: WIC eligibility and participation by state over time

In 2020, the District of Columbia, North Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming had the fewest numbers of people eligible for WIC (with fewer than 25,000 eligible people in each of these states), reflecting their small total populations; California and Texas had the largest numbers of people eligible for WIC (more than 1.3 million in each state), reflecting their large populations.

The eligibility rate was lowest in Utah (35 percent) and highest in New Mexico (68 percent) and Puerto Rico (86 percent). North Dakota had the lowest eligibility rate across all states between 2016 and 2019 and had the second lowest eligibility rate, behind Utah, in 2020. New Mexico consistently had the highest eligibility rate across all states between 2016 and 2020.

Twenty-five states and Puerto Rico had a 2020 coverage rate within 5 percentage points of their 2016 coverage rate, which may be attributable to the relative stability in both the number of people eligible for WIC and the number of WIC participants, or because both numbers changed by about the same percentage over the period. The remainder of states had coverage rate changes of 5 percentage points or more between 2016 and 2020. This may be partially attributable to changes in eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Arkansas, Louisiana, and Maine had a decline in coverage rates of 11 percentage points or more between 2016 and 2020. Across all states, the District of Columbia (DC) had the greatest increase (11 percentage points) in its coverage rate between 2019 and 2020. This is a result of participation in DC increasing while eligibility decreased.

Figure 7: Coverage rates by state and by race and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity in 2020

Although Hispanic/Latino people overall have a higher WIC coverage rate than non-Hispanic people, and White-only non-Hispanic people generally have a lower coverage rate than other non-Hispanic people, coverage rates within a racial/ethnic group vary widely across states. For example, coverage rates for Hispanic/Latino people ranged from 39 percent in Alaska to virtually full coverage in DC and Vermont. States also vary in the relative coverage rates of different racial/ethnic groups within the state. For example, in Oklahoma, coverage rates are similar for Hispanic/Latino people (57 percent) and non-Hispanic people who are either Black or identify as a race other than White (59 percent). However, in Arizona, the WIC coverage rate for Hispanic/Latino people (54 percent) is lower than for non-Hispanic Black people and people of races other than White (59 percent).

A range of uncertainty around the coverage rate estimates exists because the eligibility figure estimates are based on survey data. This range of uncertainty (or confidence interval) can be large, especially for small states; therefore, differences between state-level coverage rate estimates should be interpreted with caution. The new methodology uses 2 years of ACS estimates to help improve the overall confidence in the state-level eligibility estimates and coverage rates.

Confidence intervals can be computed to calculate different levels of certainty. At the national level, we can be 95 percent confident the true coverage rate for children is between 40 and 42 percent. When confidence intervals for different subgroups do not overlap, we can be 95 percent confident one group’s coverage rate is higher or lower than the others. For example, we can be 95 percent confident the coverage rate of Hispanic/Latino children is higher than the coverage rate of White only, non-Hispanic children. Wider confidence intervals for a particular group indicate more uncertainty about the precise estimates and result from smaller sample sizes for that group.

Dear State WIC Director:

I am writing to thank you for your work in supporting WIC participants during the infant formula shortage and to share our planned approach for transitioning back to regular program operations as the nationwide supply continues to recover. As always, we remain committed to working as partners on this important issue and plan to continue to monitor data in order to assess any impact on program operations during this transition period. While it is a positive development that we can anticipate returning to regular program operations, we recognize that this transition will require even more coordination and communication between stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted access to infant formula for WIC families.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has determined WIC state agencies may need the flexibility of providing non-contract formula through the end of February. Abbott recently announced they will pay a rebate on competitive infant formulas redeemed prior to Feb.28, 2023. Additionally, WIC state agencies with a Mead Johnson-Reckitt or Nestle Gerber contract may use their food funds for non-contract formula redeemed prior to Feb. 28, 2023, as long as state agencies and their infant formula contract manufacturers have an appropriate agreement in place.

It is USDA’s expectation that these extensions of flexibilities for non-contract formulas will be the final extensions, barring a significant change in the status of formula supply and availability. This expectation is based on Abbott’s recent production levels and its ability to supply sufficient stock of Similac product for the WIC market. USDA will continue to work with Abbott, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other stakeholders to monitor Similac product availability for WIC participants. If significant changes in Similac production or availability occur, USDA will engage Abbott and share any updates to this timeline with WIC State agencies.

While the need for non-contract formula is expected to lessen over the next few months, manufacturers and WIC state agencies have informed FNS that the transition back to WIC products in container sizes produced by the state’s contract manufacturer will take longer. Considering this, FNS will be extending the waiver to continue availability for a wider variety of products and container sizes that are produced by the state’s contract manufacturer. This waiver provides flexibility in container size for contract formula that may be needed as supply challenges continue, provided state agencies have agreements with their infant formula manufacturers to allow such flexibility. Additionally, FNS will extend waivers for infant formula products that have come in under FDA’s Enforcement Discretion (ED), provided that the formula with ED is the respective state’s contract brand.

Accordingly, the waivers listed below will be extended through Feb. 28, 2023.

• Medical Documentation for Food Packages I & II - Infant Formula
• Imported Infant Formula under FDA's Infant Formula Enforcement Discretion
  • Non-contract standard formulas

Additionally, the following waivers have been extended through April 30, 2023, or 60 days after the expiration of the COVID-19 major disaster declaration in the affected area, whichever is earlier.

• Maximum Monthly Allowance (MMA) for Food Packages I & II - Infant Formula
• Imported Infant Formula under FDA's Infant Formula Enforcement Discretion
  • Produced by the respective state's contract manufacturer

Lastly, specialty infant formula remains a concern as the timeline for sustained improvements in the availability of these products is difficult to predict. USDA FNS continues to support maximum flexibility to assist WIC participants in obtaining specialty formula and is extending the following waivers through June 30, 2023, or 60 days after the expiration of the COVID-19 major disaster declaration in the affected area, whichever is earlier:

• Imported Infant Formula under FDA's Infant Formula Enforcement Discretion
  • Issuance of certain imported specialty formulas only
• Maximum Monthly Allowance (MMA) for Food Package III - Infant Formula

A formal policy memorandum conveying these waiver extensions is forthcoming. FNS remains committed to providing flexibility, as necessary, and technical assistance on issues as they arise. If assistance is needed, please contact your respective USDA FNS regional office. As the retail formula market continues to change, we will continue to share information as our plan evolves concerning these waiver flexibilities. Again, thank you for the work you and your staff do every day to meet the needs of your participants. I appreciate your commitment and ongoing partnership.

Sincerely,

Diane M. Kriviski
Associate Administrator
Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs

WASHINGTON, September 8, 2022 - “Today's release of the 2022 Public Charge Final Rule by the Biden-Harris Administration and Department of Homeland Security represents an important step towards ensuring all those who are eligible for USDA’s nutrition assistance programs can access their crucial benefits. The rule clarifies and formalizes the policy that’s been in place for most of the last two decades, definitively allowing eligible immigrants to apply for and receive non-cash government benefits – like SNAP, WIC, and free or reduced-price school meals – without fear of any negative impact on their immigration status. Immigrants and their families have the right to access the programs for which Congress has made them eligible.

“This action ensures a fair and faithful interpretation of the law, one that will have a meaningful impact on the immigrant communities and help give them the nourishment to lead happier, healthier lives. It represents the administration’s broader commitment to equity and advancing nutrition security for generations to come.”

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