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.
The Team Nutrition E-STAR Training Grant provides funding for a state to train school nutrition managers using the E-STAR training program, an enhanced version of the Institute for Child Nutrition’s STAR (School Nutrition Strategies, Training, Action Plans and Resources) training program that focuses on school meal quality. The E-STAR training is currently only available under this grant.
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.
USDA has granted waivers to certain states and Indian Tribal Organizations allowing them to permit appropriate substitutes for the types and amounts of certain WIC-prescribed foods if their availability is limited.
FNS has provided flexibilities to approved state agencies for certain monitoring requirements for the WIC Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program.
FNS is allowing single employees to determine eligibility for all certification criteria and issuing food instruments, cash-value vouchers, or supplemental food for the same participant at WIC agencies to promote social distancing at time of certification.
FNS is waiving minimum requirement for routine vendor monitoring requirements.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act gives FNS authority to grant waivers to states of the requirement that all individuals seeking to enroll or re-enroll in WIC do so in person (i.e., physical presence). This includes a waiver to defer certain anthropometric (i.e., height/length and weight) and bloodwork requirements used to determine nutritional risk.
Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, FNS can approve certain requests from states to waive minimum stock requirements for WIC-authorized stores facing stocking issues due to COVID-19.