MODERN WIC Act of 2025

Full Title:
MODERN WIC Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill amends the Child Nutrition Act to allow the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to use telephone, video, or other real-time remote formats for certification, recertification, and nutritional risk evaluations. State agencies must offer both in-person and remote appointments. Remote formats must be accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504. If someone is certified remotely, the agency must try to collect necessary anthropometric data (for example, weight and height) within 30 days and must collect it no later than 90 days. The bill lets agencies temporarily certify people who meet income rules immediately and finish the nutritional risk evaluation within 90 days. It also allows delivery of food instruments (including electronic benefit cards) by mail, remote issuance, or other methods so participants do not have to travel to a local office. The Secretary must update related regulations and, within one year, report to Congress on use of remote technologies, impacts on participants, best practices, and data security.

What it means for you#

  • WIC applicants and participants may be able to use phone or video appointments instead of visiting a local office.
  • Participants may receive benefit cards or foods by mail or other remote delivery instead of picking them up in person.
  • If you are certified remotely, the agency will collect weight and height data as soon as possible—within 30 days if they can, and by 90 days at the latest.
  • People who meet income eligibility can be temporarily certified right away while the nutritional risk check is completed within 90 days.
  • Remote appointment options must be accessible to people with disabilities.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill title and text indicate sponsors aim to modernize WIC by expanding remote certification and benefit delivery options, improve participant access, ensure disability access for remote services, and gather information on best practices and data security through a required report to Congress.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.