21st Century WIC Act of 2026
Senate Bill Would Let WIC Families Sign Up via Phone or Video, Skip Office Visits
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill allows people to sign up for WIC through phone calls or video chats instead of having to visit an office in person. Applicants can choose the format that works best for them, including in-person, phone, or video options.
- To make getting help faster, the bill lets states give families food benefits immediately if they meet income rules. The required health checks, like measuring height and weight, can be finished up to 90 days after the remote appointment.
- State agencies would be allowed to mail WIC benefit cards or send them electronically. This removes the requirement for parents to travel to a local office just to pick up their food vouchers or EBT cards.
- The Department of Agriculture must study how these digital tools affect the program. They will look at whether families are more satisfied and how to keep participant data safe while using new technology.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Small grocery stores and retailers that are WIC-authorized vendors could see a modest increase in WIC redemptions if remote certification and benefit issuance boost program participation. However, the bill does not directly change vendor rules, so the impact is indirect and uncertain.
Programs
Disabilities
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
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 articles
Gillibrand looks to modernize WIC program
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Roger Marshall introduced the 21st Century WIC Act to modernize the program. The bill allows participants to complete certification via phone or video and receive EBT cards by mail, reducing barriers like transportation and time off work.
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Modernize WIC with Remote Certification and Stronger Oversight
The 21st Century WIC Act, introduced by Senators Marshall and Gillibrand, would codify waivers allowing remote certification and benefit issuance. It maintains a requirement for one in-person visit for health screenings while using technology to improve access for rural families.
Senators Marshall & Gillibrand Reintroduce 21st Century WIC Act to Modernize Access, Protect Program Integrity
Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate aims to modernize WIC by allowing secure phone or video appointments for certification. The bill seeks to reduce the 'hardship' of repeated trips to government offices, especially for rural families, while maintaining program integrity.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
21st Century WIC Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.