The Department announces adjusted income eligibility guidelines to be used by state agencies in determining the income eligibility of persons applying to participate in the WIC program. These income eligibility guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the WIC regulations.
This final rule amends regulations governing funding and funds allocation procedures for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in order to simplify and update the funding process in anticipation of a fully funded program.
Recently, cultural food preferences among participants in the WIC program have received considerable attention. There has been concern expressed that some WIC participants may not take full advantage of program benefits (e.g., the food packages and nutrition education) for cultural reasons. In this Notice, the Department is soliciting public comments regarding the issues surrounding the accommodation of cultural food preferences in the WIC program.