FNS encourages WIC state agencies to work collaboratively with the vendor community to identify how state agency vendor selection and/or limiting criteria, application periods or policies, WIC authorized food lists, technology requirements, and participant access criteria may impact vendor participation in the WIC program.
This memorandum provides state agencies with guidance for issuing the monthly Cash-Value Voucher/Benefit (CVV/B) for fruit and vegetable purchases to participants in WIC for FY 2023.
As part of the WIC innovation and modernization efforts to be funded under ARPA, FNS will provide non-competitive grants to WIC state agencies for planning and implementation of technology enhancements that improve the WIC participant experience, as evidenced by increasing participant enrollment, reducing unnecessary administrative burden for both participants and administrators, and retaining eligible participants while improving equity.
As part of the WIC innovation and modernization efforts to be funded under ARPA, FNS will fund non-competitive grants to WIC State agencies to complete projects aimed at improving the WIC shopping experience, which is a well-documented pain point for WIC participants. The primary goal of funded projects must be to improve the shopping experience, as evidenced by increasing the redemption of WIC benefits, improving customer satisfaction, and/or improving participant access to vendors, including for underserved communities and individuals.
This letter is in response to correspondence from WIC state agencies using offline Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) technology or paper food instruments, and requesting program flexibility from the WIC program federal requirements as a result of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 Abbott recall of certain powder infant formula, exempt infant formula, and WIC-eligible nutritionals on the nationwide supply chain leading to both periodic location- and product-based WIC infant formula and exempt infant formula shortages.
This guidance contains information to help WIC state agencies plan for meeting the needs of WIC participants and potential, newly-eligible WIC applicants prior to and during a disaster response. It can also be used to plan for continued WIC operations during emergencies or other situations of distress. The information is designed to assist headquarters and regional office staff, as well as WIC state and local agency staff in their development of an executable WIC disaster plan
This memorandum is intended to provide clarification on the applicability of two DHHS final regulations to the WIC program. These regulations include requirements for: (1) the establishment of standard formats for certain administrative and financial transactions, and (2) the privacy of individually identifiable health information.
The purpose of this policy memorandum is to advise that the Medicaid Program will be the primary payor for WIC-eligible exempt infant formulas and medical foods issued to WIC participants who are also Medicaid beneficiaries.
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update on the Department of Defense actions to implement a program like WIC overseas, the impact it has on the WIC program, and the actions required by WIC state agencies.
Since the publication of the “WIC Bloodwork Requirements” final rule in December 1999, several questions have arisen that require clarification. Therefore, the purpose of this policy memorandum is to clarify these questions as well as provide an update on the status of all policy memoranda previously issued that address bloodwork requirements.