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119-hr-10550119th CongressWALLET

Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

Introduced

Summary

Continuous WIC access for military families during permanent changes of station. The bill would require the Department of Defense to notify eligible service members about potential WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits, direct state WIC agencies to streamline certification and presumptive eligibility during moves, and require installations to host WIC support staff.

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  • Active-duty families: Enlisted members in lower pay grades or early in service who are pregnant or have a child under age 5 would get a notice at least 30 days before a mandatory report date or as soon as practicable after a permanent change of station, helping keep benefits active during relocations.
  • State WIC agencies: States would have to issue a Verification of Certification card at certification or recertification and treat covered members and their families as presumptively eligible from the first day of a PCS through the certification period.
  • Military installations: Each installation would need appropriate personnel available at least 3 days per week to give WIC information and conduct reassessments, with staffing required within 180 days of enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

DoD notices and base WIC help

This bill would require the Department of Defense to tell certain enlisted service members about possible WIC eligibility when they get permanent change of station (PCS) orders. The notice would target enlisted members with a child under age 5, who are pregnant, or whose spouse is pregnant, and who are in an initial enlistment or in lower enlisted pay grades (E-4 or below, or E-5/E-6 with under 10 years). The notice should go, to the maximum extent practicable, no later than 30 days before the mandatory report date or as soon as possible after the PCS order. The bill would also require each military installation to have staff at least three days per week, within 180 days of enactment, to give WIC information and explain reassessment rules.

Easier WIC transfers for military families

This bill would require State WIC agencies to make it easier for active duty service members and their families to keep WIC when they move for a PCS. A covered military member who is in WIC would be treated as presumptively eligible from the first day of the PCS until their current certification period ends. States would give a Verification of Certification card at certification, recertification, and for the PCS presumptive period. The bill would also make the existing transfer-of-certification rules apply to any WIC participant who is in a family with a covered military member.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

TX • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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