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119-s-5675119th CongressWALLET

Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

Introduced

Summary

Continuity of WIC participation for military families during Permanent Change of Station (PCS). This bill would require DoD notices, create presumptive eligibility with a Verification of Certification card, and fund on-base WIC help so families keep benefits when they move.

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  • Service members and families: Covered service members with pregnant spouses or children under 5 would get proactive notices about WIC and presumptive eligibility during a PCS. Notices must be sent up to 30 days before the report date or as soon as practicable after PCS orders.
  • State WIC agencies: States would issue a Verification of Certification card at certification or recertification and must treat participating military family members as presumptively eligible from the start of a PCS until the current certification expires. The bill applies existing transfer rules in 7 C.F.R. §246.7(k) to these transfers.
  • Military installations and DoD: The Secretary of Defense would ensure each installation is staffed at least 3 days per week to provide WIC information and the required notifications. That staffing must be in place within 180 days of enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Defense Department to notify and staff bases

If enacted, the Secretary of Defense would notify covered enlisted members about possible WIC eligibility, generally not later than 30 days before the member's mandatory report date or as soon as practicable after PCS orders. The notice would target enlisted members who are moving and who have a dependent under age 5, are pregnant, or have a pregnant spouse, and who meet the bill's service criteria. Not later than 180 days after enactment, the Secretary would ensure each military installation is staffed at least three days per week to give WIC information, including the required notice and the mandatory reassessment rules.

Easier WIC transfers for military families

If enacted, state WIC agencies would give a Verification of Certification card when a covered service member is certified or recertified. A covered member would be an enlisted service member undergoing a permanent change of station who is in an initial enlistment, in pay grade E-4 or below, or in pay grade E-5 or E-6 with less than 10 years of service. If a covered member is a WIC participant and is moving, the state would treat that member and each participating family member as presumptively eligible from the move's first day until the current certification expires. The state would also apply the existing transfer-of-certification rules (7 C.F.R. §246.7(k)) to family participants.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]

NM • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 9/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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