The 21st Century WIC Act updates how the WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children nutrition assistance) operates to make it easier for eligible families to participate. Right now, WIC requires people to show up in person at local offices for certification appointments and to pick up their benefits. This bill allows states to offer appointments through phone calls, video calls, or other remote methods instead—whatever works best for each person. This is especially helpful for people who have transportation challenges, work inflexible hours, or live far from WIC offices.

The bill also lets states mail WIC benefits to people or use electronic delivery methods instead of requiring everyone to visit an office to pick them up. For people who certify remotely, states have 90 days to collect the physical measurements needed to confirm they qualify based on nutrition needs. In the meantime, people who meet income requirements can start using their benefits right away on a temporary basis while the state completes the full evaluation. All remote options must be accessible to people with disabilities. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to report back to Congress within a year about how states are using these new remote technologies and what's working best.