MODERN WIC Act of 2025
Congress Proposes Allowing Remote WIC Appointments to Help Millions of Families Access Food Benefits
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill allows families to sign up for WIC through phone or video calls instead of having to visit an office in person. While offices must still offer in-person meetings, they would also have to provide a remote option to make it easier for busy parents or people with transportation issues to get help.
- New participants could be approved for food benefits immediately based on their income. If they sign up remotely, they would have up to 90 days to provide medical measurements, like height and weight, to the WIC office to keep their benefits active.
- The policy also allows states to mail out EBT cards or load benefits onto cards remotely. This means families would no longer have to travel to a local government office just to pick up their monthly food assistance vouchers or cards.
- All remote services must follow disability laws to ensure everyone can use them. The government will also study how these digital tools affect how many people use the program and whether they are happy with the changes.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Small business owners who are WIC-eligible parents often can't take time off work to visit a government office during business hours. Remote certification and benefit delivery would let them complete the process from home or during a break, reducing the time burden that currently discourages participation among working families.
Programs
Disabilities
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
3 articlesU.S. Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Modernize and Protect the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The legislation allows WIC participants to complete certification and recertification through secure phone or video appointments, while still requiring at least one in-person visit to ensure personalized support and necessary health screenings.
Gillibrand looks to modernize WIC program
The 21st Century WIC Act, a companion to the MODERN WIC Act, allows participants to complete certification through secure phone or video appointments. It also permits remote issuance of benefits on EBT cards via mail, reducing barriers like lack of transportation and time off work.
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Modernize WIC with Remote Certification and Stronger Oversight
The proposal would let WIC participants complete certification and recertification through secure phone or video appointments but still requires at least one in-person visit to confirm eligibility and complete health screenings. It formally codifies remote delivery of WIC EBT cards by mail.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
MODERN WIC Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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