MODERN WIC Act of 2025
MODERN WIC Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# MODERN WIC Act of 2025 Summary **What It Does:** This bill would permanently allow people to apply for and use WIC (a federal nutrition assistance program for women, infants, and children) without going to an office in person. Instead, eligible individuals could complete their application, recertification, and nutritional evaluations by phone or video call. The bill also streamlines the process by allowing states to immediately enroll people who meet income requirements while they wait for a full nutritional assessment (which would be completed within 90 days). **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children who rely on WIC benefits—currently millions of Americans.
It also impacts state WIC program administrators who would need to implement remote certification systems. **Key Provisions:** States must offer remote certification options (phone or video) in addition to in-person visits; applicants meeting income limits can receive benefits immediately while awaiting nutritional screening; and states have 90 days to complete nutritional risk evaluations for remote applicants. The bill also mentions allowing benefits to be provided electronically. **Current Status:** The bill is in committee as of now, meaning it has been introduced but not yet voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
More Options to Develop and Enhance Remote Nutrition in WIC Act of 2025 or the MODERN WIC Act of 2025This bill permanently allows individuals to remotely certify their eligibility for, and receive benefits through, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).Specifically, the bill requires that a state agency allow an individual seeking a WIC certification, recertification, or a nutritional risk evaluation to do so by phone or through video teleconference, in addition to the in-person option.A state agency has 90 days to collect data for a nutritional risk evaluation for a remotely certified individual. Further, a state agency may consider an applicant who meets the income eligibility standards to be temporarily eligible on an interim basis to participate in the program and may certify the individual for immediate participation without waiting for a nutritional risk evaluation.The bill also allows states to provide benefits on WIC electronic benefit transfer cards through mail or remote issuance instead of requiring participants to pick up or reload benefits in person at a WIC office.Further, the Department of Agriculture must report to Congress about the use of remote technologies and other digital tools in the WIC program.Currently, individuals are generally required to be physically present to certify their WIC eligibility and receive benefits, with exceptions. The Food and Nutrition Service has temporarily waived these requirements and allowed remote certification and benefits using authorities that were provided by laws that were enacted to address COVID-19.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.