USDA Extends WIC COVID-19 Flexibilities

On Monday, the USDA extended more than a dozen nutrition program flexibilities during the pandemic. The extension ensures participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC, continue receiving the food and health support during the COVID-19 pandemic. USDA is providing the extension of the waivers throughout the national public health emergency.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has made maximum use of existing program flexibilities and the waiver authority provided by Congress to make it as easy as possible for children and families to participate in WIC, and all of the department’s nutrition assistance programs, during the COVID-19 health emergency. The WIC waivers being extended allow for participants to be approved for WIC without being physically present in a local office, remote issuance of benefits to any participant, flexibility in food package requirements, including dairy, grains, vegetables, and infant foods; and additional options for pick-up of food packages.

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