WIC Messenger

Training Log This newsletter provides required annual training for any staff who assist with WIC sales in your store. Please have all staff handling WIC transactions and WIC benefits read this newsletter and complete the Training Log.  Return the completed log to us by April 30, 2021 and keep a copy for your records.  WIC staff will check your training logs during on-site visits. Temporary Increase to Fruit and Vegetable Benefits As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, WIC fruit and vegetable benefits will be increased to $35.00 per month per eligible participant for the months of June, July, August and September, 2021 only.

Food Prices Due to federal requirement, we must collect shelf prices every six months.  Please complete Price Survey by April 30, 2021.

WIC Item Limit Per Transaction There is a 50 WIC-approved product limit for each transaction.  If a customer buys more than 50 WIC items, the order should be split; otherwise the items will not be charged to WIC and the customer will have to pay for the items out-of-pocket.  Non-WIC items should not count against the 50 WIC product limit.

APL Troubleshooting In most situations, there is nothing that can be done in the lane to override a product that does not scan as WIC approved.  However, if a fresh fruit or vegetable does not scan as WIC approved, cashiers may use the State approved PLU of 4469 if enabled on your store’s register system, so the product can be purchased with eWIC benefits. Check with your manager if this is an option at your store.  If an item does not ring up as WIC approved, and you or the WIC customer believes it should, here are some troubleshooting tips: Check the customer’s eWIC balance receipt to confirm that the item is available in their account balance. Be sure the customer has not selected over 50 WIC items.  As stated above, the limit per transaction is 50 WIC items. Check the Maine Food List or mobile app WICShopper to ensure it is on the Approved Product List (APL). If you have confirmed that the item is WIC approved but is not on the APL, your APL may be corrupt.  Please update your APL. If the item is not on the APL, but you or the customer would like to add it to the APL,  you can submit the item to us for consideration email: SubmitUPCWIC@maine.gov.  If the customer has the WIC Shopper App on their phone, they can submit item to us on the App by clicking on the “I couldn’t buy this item” tab.

WIC Transaction Procedures The procedure for transacting WIC can be a little different depending on the register system at your store.  Please review your store’s procedures on processing a WIC transaction.  However, all stores  must: Give the WIC customer the balance inquiry receipt. Give the customer their mid-transaction receipt and have them verify the items that are approved. Be sure the customer approves the transaction.  If the card declines (times out), note the error code, wait about 20 seconds and then have the customer swipe the card again or manually enter the customer’s card number. Give the customer their final receipt. If there are items that the customer believes are WIC-approved but do not ring through, ask the customer to check them on the WIC Shopper App or refer them to their WIC clinic. Common issues causing rejection of transaction or item: Customer has more than the 50 WIC-approved item limit; Customer did not accept the mid-transaction in time; The fat content of milk or yogurt selected is not the fat content of the milk or yogurt on the participant’s benefit; The customer selected items that are on the APL but are not on the participant’s benefit. WIC cannot pay for bottle deposits or bag fees. Please collect these from the WIC customer.  Remember, WIC customers are not required to buy all the items on their benefit nor are all the items on the WIC APL on the customer’s benefit.  Run a balance inquiry  for a list of foods currently available on  the customer’s benefit.

Help Us Prevent Fraud Nationally, fraud costs the WIC Program and stores millions of dollars every year.  If you suspect fraud, please contact us at 1-800-437-9300 or email us at WIC.Maine@maine.gov. You can also report suspected fraud for both WIC and SNAP (Food Stamps) to Maine State Auditor's Fraud Hotline via a web-based form, phone (207) 624-6250, or email fraud.stateauditor@maine.gov for your use.

WIC Vendor Quarterly Calls

Do you have topics you would like addressed on a Vendor call?  Complete and submit  Help Us Do Our Best Work form. 

Upcoming calls are scheduled for:

• April 13, 2021 at 11:00 am
• July 13, 2021 at 11:00 am
• October 12, 2021 at 11:00 am

Next Call: Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 11:00 am 
Call in number: 1-877-455-0244 Passcode: 2072875366

Aroostook, Hancock, and Washington Counties Stores in Aroostook, Hancock, and Washington counties are up for renewal this year. This means at least one person from your store(s) must attend the 2021 WIC Vendor interactive training and you must complete your vendor renewal application(s) by September 1st. More information to follow - be on the look out for our email.

The USDA FNS Non-Discrimination Statement 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay   Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
              Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
              1400 Independence Avenue, SW
               Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services Non Discrimination Notice:

The Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, religious or political belief, ancestry, familial or marital status, genetic information, association, previous assertion of a claim or right, or whistleblower activity, in admission or access to, or the operation of its policies, programs, services, or activities, or in hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by and in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”); Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act; the Maine Human Rights Act; Executive Order Regarding State of Maine   Contracts for Services; and all other laws and regulations prohibiting such discrimination. Questions, concerns, complaints or   requests for additional information regarding the ADA and hiring or employment practices may be forwarded to the DHHS ADA/EEO Coordinators at 11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011; 207-287-4289 (V); 207-287-1871(V); or Maine Relay 711 (TTY). Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the ADA and programs, services, or  activities may be forwarded to the DHHS ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator, at 11 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0011; 207-287-5014 (V); Maine Relay 711 (TTY); or ADA CivilRights.DHHS@maine.gov. Civil rights complaints may also be filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights, by phone at 800-368-1019 or 800-537-7697 (TDD); by mail to 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 509, HHS Building, Washington, D.C. 20201; or electronically at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf. Individuals who need auxiliary aids for effective communication in program and services of DHHS are invited to make their needs and preferences known to the ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator. This notice is available in alternate formats, upon request.
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/documents/Nondiscrimination_Notice_June%202017.pdf

Maine WIC Nutrition Program
Department of Health & Human Services
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
11 SHS
Augusta, ME 04330
287-3991   1-800-437-9300
TTY: Maine Relay 711
email: WICVendor@maine.gov
website: www.Maine.gov/WIC