The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA, PL 117-2) gave USDA’s FNS time-limited waiver authority to support outreach, innovation, and modernization in WIC and the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). FNS encouraged state agencies to consider modernization priorities and request waivers necessary to support project goals. FNS only considered waiver requests until FNS' waiver authority ended on Sept. 30, 2024.
Waivers were issued to allow state agencies to optimize virtual services in WIC and to improve the WIC shopping experience through online shopping and mobile pay projects. FNS encourages state agencies to provide virtual options to WIC participants to improve access to WIC’s life-changing benefits. Waivers were also issued to remove unnecessary administrative burden and improve program access.
Although FNS no longer has authority to issue new ARPA waivers, most waivers are in effect until Sept. 30, 2026, or until FNS ends evaluation efforts, whichever is later. However, some expire sooner; state agencies should refer to their respective approval letters for each waiver’s expiration date.
Check below for state agencies that have been granted ARPA waivers, by type.
WIC Virtual Services and Certification Waivers
- Physical Presence
42 USC 1786(d)(3)(C)(i) and 7 CFR 246.7(o)(1), which require that each individual seeking to participate in the WIC program must be physically present at each certification or recertification in order to determine program eligibility.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Chickasaw Nation
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Colorado
- Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indian Township
- Indiana
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc (ITCA)
- Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, Inc (ITCN)
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Navajo Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Arapaho
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Omaha Nation
- Oregon
- Osage Nation
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pennsylvania
- Pleasant Point Tribe
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Santee Sioux Nation
- Santo Domingo Pueblo
- San Felipe Pueblo
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Utah
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Vermont
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Remote Issuance
7 CFR 246.12(r)(4), which requires in-person pick up of food instruments when a participant is scheduled for nutrition education or has a subsequent certification appointment.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Colorado
- Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indian Township
- Indiana
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc
- Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, Inc
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Missouri
- Montana
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Navajo Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Arapaho
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Omaha Nation Sioux
- Oregon
- Osage Nation
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pennsylvania
- Pleasant Point Tribe
- Puerto Rico
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Santee Sioux
- Santo Domingo Pueblo
- San Felipe Pueblo
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Utah
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Vermont
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Separation of Duties
246.4(a)(27)(iii), which requires the state agency to prohibit a single employee from determining eligibility for all certification criteria and issuing food instruments, cash-value vouchers or supplemental foods for the same participant or provide effective alternative policies and procedures when such prohibition is not possible.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Arkansas
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Chickasaw Nation
- Delaware
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Missouri
- Montana
- Navajo Nation
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of San Felipe
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Santo Domingo Pueblo
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Washington
WIC Vendor and Technology Waivers
- Refunds or Exchanges (Online Shopping)
The waivers below allow for the return and use of electronic benefits when an online order is not fulfilled correctly.
7 CFR 246.12(h)(3)(ii)(A), which prohibits WIC vendors from providing unauthorized food items, nonfood items, cash, credit, refunds, or permitting exchanges for authorized supplemental foods obtained with food instruments or cash-value vouchers, except for exchanges of an identical authorized supplemental food item.
AND
7 CFR 246.12(bb)(1)(i), which requires state agencies, contractors, and authorized vendors participating in WIC to follow and demonstrate compliance with operating rules, standards, and technical requirements. The state agency has requested, and FNS approves, the waiver of the following operating rules only:
Operating Rule 4.7.8.3.a, which does not allow for a voided transaction to be used to return or provide a credit for WIC foods.
AND
Operating Rule 4.7.8.4.a, which does not allow returns for WIC EBT purchases other than in exchange for the same brand, package size and type of food.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Colorado
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA)
- Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Navajo Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Northern Arapaho
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Omaha Nation
- Pleasant Point Tribe
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Santee Sioux Nation
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Time Periods for Transacting Food Instruments and Cash-Value Vouchers (Online Shopping)
7 CFR 246.12(h)(3)(iv), which requires WIC vendors to only accept food instruments or cash-value vouchers within a specified time period.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Chickasaw Nation
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Last Date of Use (Online Shopping)
7 CFR 246.12 (x)(2)(iii), which requires the last date electronic benefits may be used to obtain supplemental foods to be a minimum of 30 days from the first date.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Chickasaw Nation
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA)
- Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Missouri
- Montana
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Navajo Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Northern Arapaho
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Omaha Nation
- Oregon
- Osage Nation
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pennsylvania
- Pleasant Point Tribe
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Santee Sioux Nation
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Utah
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
- PIN Requirements (Online Shopping and Mobile Pay)
7 CFR 246.12(h)(3)(vi), which requires that WIC transactions (including either the signing of a paper food instrument or cash-value voucher, or the entering of a Personal Identification Number (PIN) in EBT systems) occur in the presence of a cashier.
AND
7 CFR 246.12(bb)(1)(i), which requires state agencies, contractors, and authorized vendors participating in WIC to follow and demonstrate compliance with operating rules, standards, and technical requirements. The state agency has requested, and FNS approves, the waiver of the following operating rules only:
Operating Rule 9.1, which outlines specific PIN security requirements.
For security reasons, this waiver does not allow the state agency to allow vendors or vendor representatives to conduct WIC transactions by obtaining a participant’s EBT card number and PIN over the phone or through physical hand-off.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA)
- Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Missouri
- Montana
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Navajo Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Arapaho
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Omaha Nation
- Oregon
- Osage Nation
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pennsylvania
- Pleasant Point Tribe
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Santee Sioux Nation
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Utah
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Definitions – Vendor (Online Shopping)
7 CFR 246.2 - Vendor, specifically the requirement in the definition of vendor that each store must have a single, fixed location.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Chickasaw Nation
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Florida
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA)
- Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Missouri
- Montana
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Navajo Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Arapaho
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Omaha Nation
- Oregon
- Osage Nation
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pennsylvania
- Pleasant Point Tribe
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Santee Sioux Nation
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Utah
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Definitions - Routine Monitoring (On-site) (Online Shopping and In-store)
7 CFR 246.2 - Routine Monitoring, which specifically waives the requirement in the definition of routine monitoring that requires the monitoring to take place on-site.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA)
- Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Missouri
- Montana
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Navajo Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Northern Arapaho
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Omaha Nation
- Oregon
- Osage Nation
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pennsylvania
- Pleasant Point Tribe
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Santee Sioux Nation
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Utah
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Vermont
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
- Wyoming
- Definitions – Compliance Buy (On-site) (Online Shopping and In-store)
7 CFR 246.2 - Compliance Buy, compliance buy means a covert, on-site investigation in which a representative of the program poses as a participant, parent or caretaker of an infant or child participant, or proxy, transacts one or more food instruments or cash-value vouchers, and does not reveal during the visit that he or she is a program representative.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA)
- Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Navajo Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Northern Arapaho
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Omaha Nation
- Oregon
- Osage Nation
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pennsylvania
- Pleasant Point Tribe
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Santee Sioux Nation
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Onsite Preauthorization (Online Shopping and In-store)
7 CFR 246.12(g)(5), which requires state agencies to conduct an on-site visit prior to or at the time of a vendor’s initial authorization. This waives the requirement that this activity is conducted on site at the vendor’s location.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA)
- Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Missouri
- Montana
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Navajo Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Arapaho
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Omaha Nation
- Oregon
- Osage Nation
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pennsylvania
- Pleasant Point Tribe
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Santee Sioux Nation
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Utah
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Vermont
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Cashier Documented for Compliance Buy (Online Shopping and In-store)
7 CFR 246.12(j)(6)(ii)(B), which requires that for compliance buys, the state agency must document a description of the cashier involved in each transaction.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
- Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA)
- Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
- Missouri
- Montana
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Navajo Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Arapaho
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Omaha Nation
- Oregon
- Osage Nation
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pennsylvania
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Santee Sioux Nation
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Utah
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
- Wyoming
- Mobile Pay
The waivers below allow for the return and use of electronic benefits when an online order is not fulfilled correctly.
7 CFR 246.2 - Food instrument, which defines a food instrument as a voucher, check, electronic benefits transfer card (EBT), coupon or other document which is used by a participant to obtain supplemental foods.
AND
7 CFR 246.12(b), which requires that food instruments be uniform within each type of system.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Eastern Shoshone Tribe
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc.
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Inter-Tribal Council Inc of Oklahoma
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Muscogee (Creek) Nation
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Arapaho
- Ohio
- Omaha Nation
- Oregon
- Otoe-Missouria Tribe
- Pleasant Point Tribe
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- Rosebud Sioux Nation
- Santee Sioux Nation
- South Dakota
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Texas
- Three Affiliated Tribes
- Utah
- Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wichita, Caddo & Delaware (WCD)
- Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Nonprofits at Farmers’ Markets
7 CFR 246.12(v), which states that the state agency “may authorize farmers, farmers’ markets, and/or roadside stands to accept the cash-value voucher for eligible fruits and vegetables.”
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Acoma, Canoncito & Laguna (ACL)
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Chickasaw Nation
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pueblo of Zuni
- Santo Domingo
- Utah
- Minimum Purchase Quantities
7 CFR 246.12(bb)(1)(i), Operating Rule 4.7.1.b, which requires state agencies, contractors, and authorized vendors participating in WIC to follow and demonstrate compliance with operating rules, standards, and technical requirements. The state agency has requested, and FNS approves, the waiver of the following operating rules only:
- Operating Rule 4.7.1.b, which does not allow for minimum purchase amounts or quantities to be required for WIC participants.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
- New Vendor Equipage – Operational Costs
7 CFR 246.12(aa)(4)(i) which prohibits a state agency from paying ongoing maintenance, processing fees or operational costs for any vendor, farmer or farmers' market utilizing multi-function systems and equipment, after completion of statewide EBT implementation.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Wisconsin
- Existing Vendor Equipage - Operational Costs
7 CFR 246.12(aa)(4) AND 7 CFR 246.12(h)(3)(xxx), which prohibits a state agency from paying ongoing maintenance, processing fees or operational costs for any vendor, farmer or farmers' market utilizing multi-function systems and equipment, after completion of statewide EBT implementation.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- New Jersey
- Vendor Equipage – Cost Sharing
7 CFR 246.12(aa)(2), if WIC program equipment is multi-function equipment, the state agency shall develop cost sharing criteria with authorized WIC vendors, farmers and farmers' markets for costs associated with such equipment in accordance with federal cost principles. Any cost sharing agreements shall be developed between a state agency and its vendors, farmers, or farmers' markets depending on the type, scope and capabilities of shared equipment. The state agency must furnish its allocation and/or cost sharing methodology to the department as part of the advanced planning document for review and approval before incurring costs.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Rosebud Sioux Tribe
- Extension of Vendor Agreements
7 CFR 246.12(h)(1)(i), which requires state agencies to enter into written agreements with all authorized vendors and the agreements must be for a period to not exceed three years.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Utah
FMNP Waivers
- Interactive Training (FMNP)
7 CFR 248.10(a)(4), which requires that a state agency will ensure that face-to-face training is conducted prior to start up of the first year of FMNP participation of a farmers' market and individual farmer.
AND
7 CFR 248.10(d), which requires a state agency to conduct a face-to-face training for all farmers and farmers' market managers who have never previously participated in the program prior to their commencing participation in the FMNP.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Cherokee Nation
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- San Felipe Pueblo
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Monitoring (FMNP)
7 CFR 248.10(e)(2) and 7 CFR 248.17(c)(1), which require the state agency to conduct annual, on-site monitoring of at least 10 percent of farmers, 10 percent of farmers’ markets, and 10 percent of roadside stands which includes those farmers, farmers’ markets and roadside stands identified as highest risk.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Arkansas
- Cherokee Nation
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- San Felipe Pueblo
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Benefit Cap (FMNP)
42 U.S.C.1786(m)(5)(C)(ii) and 7 CFR 248.8(b), which require state agencies to issue benefits valued at no more than $30 to each recipient, or each family within a household in those states which elect to issue benefits on a household basis under § 248.6(c).
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Cherokee Nation
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation
- District of Columbia
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Osage Nation
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- San Felipe Pueblo
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Bulk Purchase (FMNP)
The citations listed below are waived to allow FMNP state agencies to provide participants in rural and other areas with limited access to farmers’ markets the option to receive a produce box instead of purchasing produce at a market.
42 USC § 1786(m)(1), which requires that state agencies provide recipients with coupons that may be exchanged at farmers’ markets or roadside stands.
AND
7 CFR 248.1(a), which requires that to fulfill FMNP’s purpose, the program must provide participants with fresh produce from farmers' markets.
AND
42 USC § 1786(m)(6)(D)(iii), 7 CFR 248.2 "Farmer", and 7 CFR 248.10(a)(2), which require authorized farmers to sell produce to recipients in exchange for coupons at farmers’ markets.
State agencies with approved waivers:
- Arizona
- Cherokee Nation
- Chickasaw Nation
- Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos, Inc
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- New York
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Omaha Nation
- Osage Nation
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Related Research
- The Use and Impact of Federal Waivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Summary Findings From Surveys of WIC State and Local Agencies (04/26/23)
- Conducting Remote WIC Certification Appointments During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from Surveys of WIC State and Local Agencies (04/26/23)
Disclaimer: This page displays all waivers issued by FNS. Some waivers have expired or been inactivated at the state agency’s discretion.