WIC Disaster Response

Although the WIC Program is not designed to be a disaster assistance program, and therefore is not considered a first line of defense, WIC policies are designed to allow State agencies flexibility in program design and administration to support continuation of benefits to participants during times of natural or other disasters.

What does this mean if you are a WIC Participant?
If you live in an area where a weather-related or other type of disaster has occurred or is about to occur, and you have been asked or required to leave your home with very little advance notice, you may still be able to receive WIC benefits for yourself and/or your young children. WIC participants in your situation are called “evacuees." To make it easier to register and obtain benefits in any State, you should know that:

• Evacuees have been designated as being at special nutrition risk and therefore will receive high priority for certification.
• Evacuees do not have to present proof of identity, residency or income that is normally required (that is, if you had to leave home in such a hurry that you were unable to bring the necessary documents with you, or if those documents were destroyed).
• Evacuees may be able to use their original WIC checks or vouchers in the State to which they have been relocated. Your WIC State agency will find a way to let you know if this is the case, usually through a toll-free telephone number and/or other public announcements. Contact information for State WIC agencies can be found on our website: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/contacts/statealpha.htm 

What does this mean if you are an authorized WIC vendor or retailer?

• Your store may be allowed to accept out-of-State food instruments during disaster situations. Your State WIC office will advise you if this is allowed.
• If at all possible, the participant should receive the exact brand of infant formula specified on the out-of-State food instrument.
• If it is not possible to provide the exact brand items for the other foods listed on the out-of-State WIC food instrument, you may substitute a similar item from your own State’s WIC-approved food list.
• The originating WIC State Agency (i.e., the WIC State agency in which the participant was initially certified) is responsible for the cost of the food instrument. As the out-of-State vendor, you should deposit each WIC check into your bank account; the amount of the WIC check will be charged against the originating WIC State Agency’s bank account. If the originating WIC State agency issues vouchers instead of checks, you (the out-of-State vendor) should submit the vouchers for payment to the originating WIC State agency.
• Mississippi and Vermont retailers are not covered by this policy because there are no authorized WIC vendors in these States. The WIC Programs in these States do not operate through grocery stores, which is why there are no authorized vendors.

What does this mean if you are a WIC State agency?
Please click on the following link for more specific information regarding WIC operations during disaster situations:
Detailed WIC Policy Guidance for State Cooperators in Disaster Situations

Other information that may be helpful to you:

How to apply for the WIC Program   

CDC's Emergency Planning Tips If You're Pregnant or Have Young Children

State agency contact information

WIC State agency toll-free numbers

FNS Disaster Assistance

Where to find help :
FEMA's Guide to Disaster Recovery Resources at www.disasterhelp.gov

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