WIC

WIC Participant Rights and Responsibilities

Your Rights as a WIC Participant

WIC is a federally funded program through the United States Department of Agriculture. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free 866.632.9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800.877.8339; or 800.845.6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Discrimination Complaints

Call:
866.632.9992 (voice and TDD)

Write:
USDA
Director, Office of Adjudication
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

If you do not qualify for the WIC program or if you have been taken off the WIC program, you may appeal the decision by requesting a fair hearing. In a fair hearing, you are given the opportunity to tell why you think you were not treated fairly by the WIC program. You tell your reasons to a "hearings officer" who does not work for the WIC program. After listening to you and the WIC staff, the hearings officer makes a decision that is based on the facts and program rules. If you want a fair hearing, you should write, call, or visit your local WIC office.

You may ask the local WIC office for permission to let someone else pick up your WIC benefits for you if you are not able to get to the WIC office. This person is called a "proxy" and can take your children to the clinic for certification appointments and also buy your WIC foods for you.

You should be treated courteously at the WIC office and the grocery store. If you have any problems at the store or clinic, please tell your local WIC staff.

You have the right to know what prices are being charged for your food benefits so that you can be sure the store is not over-charging the WIC program.

You may use store or food company coupons to lower the cost of your WIC foods. You may also use coupons that allow special offers such as "2 for 1", "buy 1, get 1 free", or other promotions that add no additional cost to participants or the WIC program.

If you move to another county or state, you should contact the local WIC office. They will help you continue to get WIC benefits for as long as you are eligible.

You have the right to be told when you or your child needs to be re-certified for the WIC program.

Your Responsibilities as a WIC Participant

  • You will be given an appointment time to pick up your WIC benefits. Be on time for your appointment. (If you cannot keep your appointment, call your local WIC office for a new appointment.) If you are more than a week late, you may be given fewer benefits.
  • Your WIC benefits can only be used in the State of Michigan.
  • Spend your benefits only at stores that have been approved to accept WIC. Your local WIC office has a list of these stores. WIC participants are encouraged to shop at stores with lower prices; buy the least expensive brands of all WIC foods; and use money saving coupons when buying food with WIC coupons. This will help WIC to serve more women and children who need WIC foods.
  • Keep your WIC EBT card in a safe place so it doesn't get lost or stolen.
  • Use your benefits within the dates printed on your shopping list.
  • Buy only the foods that are listed on your WIC shopping list.
  • Do not sell your WIC EBT card or the foods you buy with your WIC benefits. Do not try to exchange the foods you buy with your WIC benefits for money. You can be taken off the WIC program for selling WIC foods or trying to get a cash refund for WIC foods from the store.
  • The foods you buy with your WIC benefits should be eaten only by the person whose name is on the WIC account. You must tell the WIC staff if your child is no longer in your home.
  • Make sure that you are not enrolled in two different WIC clinics at the same time. If you are, you may be taken off the WIC program.
  • Be courteous to store employees and WIC staff members. You can be taken off the WIC program for abusive or threatening language or behavior.
  • Report any rude or unlawful treatment you received at the grocery store to the WIC hotline: 800.CALL.WIC.

Print
Print