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Resource | Policy Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA); Interpretation of “Federal Public Benefit”

This notice sets forth the interpretation that the U.S. Department of Agriculture uses for the term “Federal public benefit” as used in Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. In doing so, this notice supersedes any prior interpretation in any notice or other document issued by any USDA agency. This notice also describes and preliminarily identifies the USDA programs that provide “Federal public benefits” within the scope of PRWORA.

07/10/2025
Resource | Technical Assistance WIC EBT Technical Implementation Guide and Operating Rules

The Operating Rules and Technical Implementation Guide are technical resources for use by all state agencies, authorized WIC vendors and EBT industry stakeholders to apply in their EBT implementation projects for consistency in WIC EBT online purchase messages and file handling processes utilized by both smart card/offline and magstrip/online WIC EBT systems. 

08/31/2018
Resource | Research and Data | Benefit Content/Cost WIC Nutrition Services and Administration Cost Study

The WIC Nutrition Services and Administration cost study examines how program funds are expended by state and local agencies to support the management and operation of WIC. The study analyzed data from a national survey of state and local agencies, cases studies, and FY 2013 WIC administrative data.

11/27/2017
Resource | Research and Data | Benefit Content/Cost WIC Food Package Policy Options II

In 2007, USDA introduced a new set of food packages via an Interim Rule based on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine, which were implemented by October 2009. The contents of the food packages were finalized via a Final Rule in 2014. The Final Rule clarified some provisions in the Interim Rule and allowed some additional options and substitutions.

10/29/2015
Basic page About WIC
10/10/2013
Resource | Policy Implementation of WIC-Related Electronic Benefit Transfer Provisions of PL 111-296

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 includes several provisions related to Electronic Benefit Transfer  in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

03/22/2011
Page updated: October 14, 2021