pa-56-39-1423: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC Program) vendor readiness period (Part II)

Summary

As the State agency for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC Program), the Department of Health (Department) may, under 7 CFR 246.12(g)(8) (relating to food delivery methods), limit the periods during which applications for vendor authorization will be accepted and processed. Under this authority, the Department is providing notice that it will temporarily stop accepting new applications for vendor authorization effective January 1, 2027, for a Vendor Readiness Period to transition from Smart Card to online benefit issuance. Online benefit issuance will allow more flexibility to participants, as well as real-time balance inquiry and card and product validity to streamline vendor processing and payments. The Vendor Readiness Period will apply to new vendors and new locations for currently authorized vendors only. The Vendor Readiness Period will not affect the provision of services to eligible WIC participants. The WIC Program will continue to provide full WIC services to all current participants and all eligible WIC participants will continue to receive benefits throughout the Vendor Readiness Period. The Department will begin accepting new applications for vendor authorization upon successful transition to online benefit issuance, which is currently anticipated by August 2027. The Department will publish an additional notice prior to the end of the Vendor Readiness Period as to when it will begin accepting new applications for...

The agency’s own summary, as published.