21st Century WIC Act of 2026
Last recorded step: none recorded yet.
Nothing scheduled on the calendars we hold.
This bill would allow WIC applicants to certify eligibility and receive benefits remotely via phone, video, or mail.
What it does
This bill would permanently allow individuals to certify their eligibility for the WIC program through telephone or video teleconference as an alternative to in-person visits. It would also permit state agencies to issue benefits remotely via mail or electronic transfer and allow for temporary program participation while awaiting nutritional risk evaluations. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture would be required to report to Congress on the implementation and impact of these digital tools and remote technologies.
Who is affected
This bill affects individuals seeking certification, recertification, or nutritional risk evaluations for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), as well as current program participants who receive benefits via electronic benefit transfer cards. State agencies responsible for administering WIC are also affected, as they must provide remote options for certification and may issue benefits through mail or remote means. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture is required to report to Congress regarding the implementation of these digital tools and remote technologies.
Key provisions
- Remote Certification for WIC Eligibility. Requires state agencies to offer phone or video teleconference options for WIC program certification, recertification, and nutritional risk evaluations in addition to in-person services.
- Extended Timeline for Nutritional Risk Data Collection. Provides state agencies with a 90-day window to collect necessary data for nutritional risk evaluations following the remote certification of an individual.
- Interim Eligibility and Immediate Participation. Allows state agencies to grant temporary eligibility and immediate program participation to applicants meeting income standards before a nutritional risk evaluation is completed.
- Remote Issuance of Electronic Benefits. Permits states to provide WIC benefits via mail or remote electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card reloading, removing the requirement for participants to visit a WIC office in person.
- Reporting on Digital Tool Integration. Directs the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to Congress regarding the implementation and use of remote technologies and digital tools within the WIC program.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
This bill amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to permanently authorize remote certification and benefit issuance for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). It codifies flexibilities that were previously provided on a temporary basis through authorities enacted to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to modernize the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) by permanently allowing individuals to certify their eligibility and receive benefits remotely via telephone or video teleconference. It seeks to increase program accessibility by providing alternatives to in-person requirements for nutritional risk evaluations and benefit card issuance.