USDA intends to use all available program flexibilities and contingencies to serve our program participants across our 15 nutrition programs. We have already begun to issue waivers to ease program operations and protect the health of participants.
FNS is working with state agencies to find new ways to allow WIC transactions.
FNS is allowing state agencies to postpone some vendor reauthorization actions by extending expiring vendor agreements by one year.
FNS is allowing state agencies to waive medical documentation for existing participants that are unable to contact their health care provider. Existing benefits may be extended for up to two months.
FNS is allowing FMNP state agencies to extend currently expiring agreements with authorized farmers, roadside stands, and/or farmers’ markets by one year.
FNS is allowing FMNP state agencies to conduct initial training remotely.
FNS is allowing those state agencies using a home delivery and/or direct distribution systems to issue two months of exempt infant formula at one time.
FNS is allowing WIC agencies to issue up to four months of WIC benefits on EBT cards at one time for those state agencies with offline systems.
FNS is removing the requirement for onsite preauthorization visits and allowing these visits to be done onsite after the public health emergency and applicable state and local social distancing orders are lifted.
FNS has provided flexibilities to approved state agencies for certain monitoring requirements for the WIC Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program.