# Understanding the WIC Act of 2021

The WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children) provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. This bill expands who can receive those benefits by extending the age limits for several groups of people.

Currently, WIC helps children up to age five, but this bill allows five-year-olds to continue receiving benefits until they turn six or start full-day kindergarten, whichever comes first. The bill also extends coverage for infants from just under one year old to up to two years old, giving families more time to access nutrition support as their babies grow. For breastfeeding mothers, the program would extend from one year after giving birth to two years postpartum. Additionally, women who recently gave birth but aren't breastfeeding would now be eligible for up to two years after pregnancy ends, instead of just six months. These changes don't take effect until October 2026, giving states time to prepare their systems.

The bill recognizes that states may need flexibility to implement these changes. It allows states to request a waiver if they face technological challenges, can't afford the costs within their current budget, or have other legitimate reasons for needing more time. States would have to explain their situation to the federal government and propose a specific date when they'll be ready to expand eligibility.

In practical terms, this means more families will have access to nutrition assistance for longer periods during critical early childhood years and during the postpartum period when mothers are recovering and establishing feeding routines. The expanded coverage aims to support better nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable young children and mothers.

WIC Act of 2021

DeLauro, Rosa L.

Wise Investment in Children Act of 2021 or the WIC Act of 2021 This bill expands eligibility for children to receive benefits under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Specifically, the bill <ul> <li> extends eligibility for the program until the period that ends on the earlier of the sixth birthday of a child or when the child enters kindergarten;</li> <li>extends the certification period under the program for infants to up to two years, instead of the current one year; and </li> <li>increases the certification time under the program for postpartum women to a period of up to two years. </li> </ul> The bill also authorizes the Department of Agriculture to grant a waiver to a state, on request, that waives certification deadline requirements for the eligibility extensions if such state demonstrates there are unusual technological barriers to implementation, operational costs are not affordable within the nutrition services and administration grant of the state, or it is in the best interest of the program.