USDA 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. These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations.
This policy memorandum transmits the 2020-21 Income Eligibility Guidelines for WIC that were published in the Federal Register on May 26, 2020
This policy memorandum contains guidance to WIC state agencies regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act that provides rebates to many low- and middle-income households, as well as additional unemployment benefits. FNS has received a number of questions regarding how WIC state agencies should consider payments to individuals authorized under the Act when conducting a WIC income determination.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides USDA statutory and regulatory waiver authorities necessary in a public health emergency such as COVID-19 to encourage social distancing and reduce visits to WIC clinics. To date, FNS has approved requests from all WIC state agencies to waive select statutory and regulatory requirements through May 31, 2020. USDA FNS is extending waiver approvals through June 30, 2020 for all WIC state agencies that choose to continue operations under their approved waivers.
WIC Participant and Program Characteristics 2018 summarizes the demographic characteristics of participants nationwide in April 2018. It includes information on participant income and nutrition risk characteristics, estimates breastfeeding initiation rates for WIC infants, and describes WIC members of migrant farm-worker families.
WIC Participant and Program Characteristics 2018 summarizes the demographic characteristics of participants nationwide in April 2018. It includes information on participant income and nutrition risk characteristics, estimates breastfeeding initiation rates for WIC infants, and describes WIC members of migrant farm-worker families.
FNS is allowing WIC state agencies to issue up to four months of benefits on EBT cards at one time, to reduce the need for contact with WIC staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.