he shopping experience for WIC participants should improve under a new USDA rule that requires states to transition from paper benefits to EBT systems by Oct. 1, 2020. The WIC EBT system replaces paper food checks or vouchers with a card that is used for food benefit issuance and redemption at authorized WIC stores. In 2016, Congress appropriated $220 million help state agencies fully fund the transition from paper benefits to EBT. The transition from paper benefits to EBT systems allows WIC participants to shop for items as needed rather than requiring them to purchase all items in one trip or lose the remaining benefits. Implementing EBT will also reduce checkout times and potential stigma associated with using food benefits. Additionally, WIC participants will no longer need to separate their WIC foods from their other grocery items.
Source: USDA, 2/29/16, WIC Rule
No comments:
Post a Comment