The Food and Nutrition Administration on Friday finalized a rule to allow online ordering and internet-based payments in WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The agency said the action supports State innovation, modernizes food delivery rules to align with electronic benefit transfer, and adds measures for a data-driven program. The Federal Register lists the rule as signed by President Donald Trump.
The department said the rule removes a current prohibition on authorizing internet-based vendors and clarifies how State agencies may offer online shopping while maintaining program integrity. It also streamlines food delivery to reflect the program’s complete transition to electronic benefit transfer, allows new types of food instruments such as mobile payments, and updates reporting requirements.
The rule takes effect Dec. 7, 2026. The agency requested public comments by Jan. 5, 2027, and said implementation and compliance dates vary by provision and are detailed in section VI of the supplementary information. The department said previously issued online shopping waivers will be superseded once the rule is effective. Waivers supporting mobile pay and remote issuance will also be superseded once effective.
The final rule revises transaction authentication. It removes the requirement to use a personal identification number in lieu of a signature and lets State agencies identify acceptable ways to authenticate electronic benefit transactions, subject to Food and Nutrition Administration approval if they use a method other than a PIN. It also removes the requirement that WIC shoppers sign printed food instruments in the presence of a cashier.
The agency created definitions for brick-and-mortar, internet, and mobile vendors and updated the definition of vendor to remove the single fixed-location requirement. Each entity must be authorized separately. The rule updates the definition of above-50-percent vendor so it applies to all vendor types.
The department finalized monitoring and oversight changes. It updated the definitions of routine monitoring and compliance buys to remove on-site requirements and introduced virtual visits as an allowable type of preauthorization visit. It also clarified that internet-based transactions at an internet vendor, and transactions at mobile vendors, must be assigned to that specific vendor.
The rule clarifies refunds and exchanges. Cash refunds remain prohibited. The exchange policy is updated to reflect a defined supplemental food recall and to ensure WIC shoppers are treated the same as other customers during a recall, the rule says. The department will allow the return of electronic benefits to a participant’s balance when items in an order are not fulfilled at any vendor type, not just online orders. State agencies must allow participants to use returned electronic benefits through the end of the benefit issuance month. Allowing use beyond the last date of use is a State option, capped at seven days, and the department is seeking comment on potential impacts if that flexibility were made a requirement.
The rule prohibits vendors, farmers, and farmers’ markets from charging State agencies any fees associated with a WIC purchase, such as delivery, service, convenience, or bag fees. It permits WIC shoppers to pay such fees. The department also clarified costs tied to home food delivery and direct distribution to ensure State agencies still pay for transporting food under those two systems.
In summarizing public input on the 2023 proposal, the department reported broad support for the revisions. It said it will provide technical assistance and resources to help State agencies implement online shopping while preserving program integrity.