Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Overseas: Revision to Definition of Drafts
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Rule
Summary
The WIC Overseas Program is updating its rules to include electronic benefit transfers along with paper food vouchers, called drafts. This change helps military families stationed abroad get their nutritious food benefits more easily and flexibly. The new rule kicks in on January 17, 2025, with no extra costs or delays expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Drafts Now Include EBT/Card Options
The WIC Overseas Program definition of “drafts” now includes electronic benefit transfers and card or other approved access devices or methods. This change takes effect January 17, 2025 and applies to the roughly 10,000 participants in the WIC Overseas Program, including U.S. military families stationed abroad.
Allows Multiple Shopping Trips
Modernizing drafts lets WIC Overseas enrollees use electronic methods similar to a debit card so they can purchase authorized foods over multiple trips instead of having to use monthly paper drafts all at once. The rule is effective January 17, 2025 and is intended to help when items are out of stock or when participants prefer multiple shopping visits.
Improves Data, Lowers Fraud Risk
The rule permits use of advanced technologies for issuing drafts, which the Department says will likely improve data analysis on food types, brands, and costs and reduce the risk of fraud and abuse in the WIC Overseas Program. This modernization becomes effective January 17, 2025 and concerns the program’s administration for about 10,000 participants.
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