Extend the WIC Bump through Fiscal Year 2023

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Tell Congress to Fund WIC & Extend the WIC Benefit Bump

Unless Congress acts, participants will lose access to WIC's enhanced vegetables and fruits after September 30. Congress must sustain the enhanced WIC Cash Value Benefit through fiscal year 2023 and adequately fund WIC in order to support the long-term health of children.

Take a stand now and tell Congress to #ExtendTheWICBump and adequately fund WIC in fiscal year 2023 for the millions of families that depend on WIC's critical public health nutrition services.

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Contact your policymakers to share why Congress must extend the WIC benefit bump and adequately fund WIC for the millions of participants across the country.

Congress must take action to extend the WIC benefit bump for vegetables and fruits through fiscal year 2023 and adequately fund WIC in order to support the long-term health of children.

Subject: Extend the WIC Bump through Fiscal Year 2023

Message:

Dear Senator/ Representative,

For nearly 50 years, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has played a pivotal role in supporting the health and wellbeing of low-income families across the United States. During the pandemic, WIC took on renewed importance as the program adapted to continue serving families throughout a fluid and challenging public health emergency.

To support these efforts and in alignment with science-based recommendations from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, Congress made a targeted investment in the WIC fruits and vegetables benefit in fiscal year 2022. Prior to the pandemic, the Cash Value Benefit for fruits and vegetables was set at $11 per month for pregnant and postpartum participants and $9 per month for children being served by WIC. This benefit was increased to $43 per month for pregnant and postpartum participants, $43 per month for breastfeeding participants, and $24 per month for kids, providing WIC families with increased access to nutritious food and leading to a demonstrated increase in fruit and vegetable consumption among young children being served by the program.

However, unless Congress takes urgent action, the enhanced fruits and vegetable benefit will end on September 30. As families grapple with the effects of inflation and food costs continue to rise, this dollar-value benefit plays a crucial role in ensuring WIC-enrolled women and children have reliable access to a variety of nutritious vegetables and fruits, bolstering both health and economic security. Congress must take action before September 30– including through a continuing resolution– to ensure that this enhanced benefit does not lapse. Continuation of the benefit, either for the full 2023 fiscal year or commensurate with the length of a continuing resolution, will also ensure WIC providers have much-needed clarity about future benefit levels, minimizing interruptions in service and maintaining participant confidence in the program.

Please support extending WIC’s enhanced fruits and vegetables benefit in any FY23 spending vehicle under consideration by Congress this month.

Sincerely,

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Tell Congress to Fund WIC & Extend the WIC Benefit Bump

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