This interim rule revises regulations governing the WIC food packages to align the WIC food packages with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and current infant feeding practice guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics, better promote and support the establishment of successful long-term breastfeeding, provide WIC participants with a wider variety of food, and provide WIC state agencies with greater flexibility in prescribing food packages to accommodate participants with cultural food preferences.
These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations.
This rulemaking would streamline the federal requirements for financial and participation reporting by state agencies. In addition, it would clarify the rules on confidentiality of WIC information in order to strengthen coordination with organizations and private physicians, and to provide guidance to state agencies on responding to subpoenas and other court-ordered requests for confidential information.
This final rule provides WIC state agencies the option to exclude payments to military personnel for privatized housing, whether on or off military installations.
The Department announces adjusted income eligibility guidelines to be used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the WIC program. These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations.