MODERN WIC Act of 2025

Hozzl · 2025-03-21T15:24:56Z

Explore the details of House Bill 1464 MODERN WIC Act of 2025 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Agriculture and Food. Stay informed on legislative developments.

3/21/2025, 3:24 PM

Summary of Bill HR 1464

Bill 119 HR 1464, also known as the "Child Nutrition Act Amendment," aims to make it easier for participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to certify their eligibility for benefits. The bill proposes allowing individuals to complete their certification process through video or telephone interviews, in addition to the traditional in-person method.

The main goal of this amendment is to increase access to the WIC program for low-income women, infants, and children by removing barriers to certification. By allowing for video or telephone certifications, individuals who may have difficulty attending in-person appointments due to transportation or scheduling issues will have a more convenient option to complete the certification process.

In addition to the provision for video or telephone certifications, the bill also includes other purposes related to improving the administration of the WIC program. This could include streamlining processes, reducing paperwork, or enhancing outreach efforts to ensure that eligible individuals are aware of and able to access the benefits available to them through WIC. Overall, Bill 119 HR 1464 seeks to modernize and improve the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 by allowing for alternative methods of certification in the WIC program, ultimately aiming to increase participation and support for low-income women, infants, and children in need of nutritional assistance.

Congressional Summary of HR 1464

More Options to Develop and Enhance Remote Nutrition in WIC Act of 2025 or the MODERN WIC Act of 2025

This bill permanently allows individuals to remotely certify their eligibility for, and receive benefits through, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Specifically, the bill requires that a state agency allow an individual seeking a WIC certification, recertification, or a nutritional risk evaluation to do so by phone or through video teleconference, in addition to the in-person option.

A state agency has 90 days to collect data for a nutritional risk evaluation for a remotely certified individual. Further, a state agency may consider an applicant who meets the income eligibility standards to be temporarily eligible on an interim basis to participate in the program and may certify the individual for immediate participation without waiting for a nutritional risk evaluation.

The bill also allows states to provide benefits on WIC electronic benefit transfer cards through mail or remote issuance instead of requiring participants to pick up or reload benefits in person at a WIC office.

Further, the Department of Agriculture must report to Congress about the use of remote technologies and other digital tools in the WIC program.

Currently, individuals are generally required to be physically present to certify their WIC eligibility and receive benefits, with exceptions. The Food and Nutrition Service has temporarily waived these requirements and allowed remote certification and benefits using authorities that were provided by laws that were enacted to address COVID-19.

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Current Status of Bill HR 1464

Bill HR 1464 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 21, 2025. Bill HR 1464 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on February 21, 2025. Bill HR 1464's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. as of February 21, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 1464

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 1464

Primary Policy Focus

Agriculture and Food

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 1464

To amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to permit video or telephone certifications in the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, and for other purposes.