Extending the Temporary Increase in the Cash-Value Voucher/Benefit

On Dec. 3, 2021, President Biden signed the Further Extending Government Funding Act of 2022 (PL 117-70) into law. Section 101 of this Continuing Resolution (CR) amends Section 118 of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act of 2022 (PL 117-43) and directs USDA to extend through the second quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2022 (Jan. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022) the temporary increase in the WIC Cash-Value Voucher/Benefit (CVV/B) for fruit and vegetable purchases. The increased amount applies to all women and children participants and aligns with recommendations by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), adjusted for inflation. The temporary CVV/B increase was previously set to expire at the end of the first quarter of FY 2022 (on Dec. 31, 2021). The CR also provides funding necessary to accommodate this extended increase in the CVV/B. This memorandum sets forth applicable parameters for nationwide extension of the CVV/B increase.

Under the CR, the temporary CVV/B increase continues to apply to all women and children participants, via WIC food packages III, IV, V, VI and VII, as defined by WIC regulations at 7 CFR 246.10(e). Through the second quarter of FY 2022, all WIC state agencies must maintain the same increased CVV/B amounts from quarter one of FY 2022 of $24 for child participants, $43 for pregnant and postpartum women participants and $47 for fully and partially breastfeeding women participants; these amounts reflect the recommendations made by NASEM, adjusted for inflation. Consistent with the language in the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act of 2022 that specifies an increase to the benefit for women and children participants, the CVV/B increase does not apply to infant participants receiving food package III.

Since the authority to increase the amount of the CVV/B terminates on March 31, 2022, state agencies may only provide the increased CVV/B to participants as monthly food benefits for October 2021 through March 2022. Although the start date (i.e., the first date of use) of the March food benefits must be in March 2022, the time periods for transacting and redeeming March food benefits may occur after March 31, 2022, in accordance with current state agency policy and procedures. The provision of the temporary CVV/B increase must run through March 31, 2022.

Funding for the CVV/B increase will be made available as CR funds are apportioned to FNS. Under the CR, FNS will allocate pro rata shares to state agencies of the total available food and nutrition services and administration (NSA) funds. State agencies must include all funds and expenditures associated with the temporary increase in the CVV/B on their FY 2022 FNS-798 reports.

State agencies may direct any questions related to this memorandum to their respective FNS regional offices.

AMY HERRING
Acting Director
Supplemental Food Programs Division