| Your
Rights as a WIC Participant |
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The U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin,
gender, religion, age, disabilty. Persons with disabilities
who require alternative means for communication of program
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and
TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write:
U.S.
Department of Agriculture
Director, Office of Civil Rights
Room 326-W, Whitten Building
14th and Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
or call
(202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.
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If you
do not qualify for the WIC program of if you have been taken
off the WIC program, you may appeal the decision by requesting
a fair hearing. In a fair hearing, you are given the opportunity
to tell why you think you were not treated fairly by the WIC
program. You tell your reasons to a "hearings officer"
who does not work for the WIC program. After listening to
you and the WIC staff , the hearings officer makes a decision
that is based on the facts and program rules. If you want
a fair hearing, you should write, call or visit your local
WIC office. The staff will help you with your request. You
can also write to:
Department
of Children and Families
Office of Appeal Hearings
1317 Winewood Blvd., Building 1, Room 309
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
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You
may ask the local WIC office for permission to let someone else
pick up your WIC checks for you if you are not able to get to
the WIC office. This person is called a "proxy" and
can also buy your WIC foods for you. |
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You
may also ask the local WIC office for permission to have a "co-caretaker"
pick up your WIC checks, buy you WIC foods, and take your children
to the clinic for certification appointments. |
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You
should be treated courteously at the WIC office and the grocery
store. If you have any problems at the store or clinic, tell
your local WIC staff. |
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You have
the right to expect that most of the WIC foods are in stock
at grocery stores that accept WIC checks.
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You have
the right to know what prices are being charged on your checks
so that you can be sure the store is not over-charging the
WIC program.
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You
do not have to give the store any money for buying foods with
your WIC checks. You may use store or food company coupons to
lower the cost of your WIC foods. You may also use coupons that
allow special offers such as "2 for 1", "buy
1, get 1 free", or other promotions that add no additional
cost to participants or the WIC program |
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If
you move to another county or state, you should contact the
local WIC office. They will help you continue to get WIC checks
for as long as you are eligible. |
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You
have the right to be told when you or your child needs to be
recertified for the WIC program. |
