Wyoming WIC Program
Participant Rights and Responsibilities

As a Wyoming Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program participant, I understand the following:

1) WIC certification covers the following periods: pregnant women; postpartum women (up to six months after pregnancy ends or up to one year if breastfeeding); and infants and children (for one-year periods until age five). At the end of their certification period, each participant must reapply and be reassessed for WIC eligibility.
2) When my and/or my child(ren)’s certification period ends, WIC Program benefits also end.
3) WIC food benefits are given to the individual to promote and support the nutritional well-being of the participant and to help meet the recommended intake of important nutrients or foods. The food provided by WIC is supplemental, i.e., it is not intended to provide all daily food requirements.
4) I will receive information about food, nutrition, and health, including nutrition education, breastfeeding support, eWIC and food benefits, and referrals to other health services.
5) I will be asked questions about health and nutrition to identify my nutrition needs (e.g., medical conditions, dietary practices) and interests so that WIC can provide benefits to me that are based on my wants and needs. WIC staff promote open communication to achieve good health outcomes.
6) In the event that Wyoming WIC has limited resources to provide services, pregnant women, infants, homeless individuals, and migrants have a priority designation
7) Children receiving WIC benefits must live with the parent/caregiver who is applying for WIC benefits at least 50% of the time throughout the period of WIC certification and must meet all WIC Program eligibility criteria.
8) WIC staff may verify information I have provided. If I provide false information, I may not get WIC benefits; I may have to pay back money for WIC foods already purchased; and I may be prosecuted under state and federal law.
9) Race/ethnicity information is collected for statistical reporting requirements only and does not affect my participation in the WIC Program.  Standards for eligibility and participation in the WIC Program are the same for everyone, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
10) If I don’t update, renew, or get WIC benefits for three months in a row, or if I miss recertification appointments, I could lose my benefits and may have to reapply to the WIC Program.
11) The State Health Officer may authorize the use and disclosure of information about my participation in the WIC Program for non-WIC purposes. Such information will be used by state and local WIC offices and public organizations only for program administration and activities such as to: (A) determine program eligibility of WIC applicants/participants; (B) conduct outreach; (C) enhance the health, education, or well-being of WIC applicants/participants; (D) streamline administrative procedures; and (E) assess and evaluate Wyoming’s health system in terms of responsiveness to participant healthcare needs and healthcare outcomes. The caregiver’s electronic signature at WIC Program certification serves as a release of information for this information sharing.

• a. As stated above, WIC participant information may be shared with the following programs: Kid Care CHIP, Lead Poisoning Prevention, Immunizations, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), United States Census Bureau, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Processor, Automated Message Service, WIC Online Education (WICSmart), and Medicaid.
• b. A separate signed Release of Information and Communication Consent Form is required for WIC to share information with any other entity.

PARTICIPANT RIGHTS:

1) If I disagree with any decision that affects my WIC eligibility or WIC benefits, I have sixty (60) days from the date of notice to file an appeal and ask for a Fair Hearing to present the reasons for objection by me or by my representative(s), such as a relative/friend/legal counsel or other spokesperson(s).
2) Information to request a Fair Hearing may be obtained from any WIC local office or from the Wyoming WIC Program, WIC-Public Health Division, 122 West 25th Street, 3rd Floor West, Cheyenne, WY 82002, (307) 777-7494. Continuation of benefits may be requested pending the outcome of the Fair Hearing appeal. The request for continuation of benefits must be filed within 15 days from the date of my Notice of Ineligibility. However, no benefits can be continued beyond a participant’s certification period.

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES:

1) I will notify WIC staff when my contact information changes or I move to a different city or state. When moving out of state, I may request a Verification of Certification (VOC). A VOC is transfer paperwork that is used in my new WIC location so that I may continue to receive benefits through my current WIC Certification period. My new WIC location may request VOC information from my current WIC location. 
2) If my eWIC card is lost or stolen, I will report it immediately to the Local Clinic or State WIC office.
3) I will never give my eWIC card and/or food benefits to anyone else.
4) I will keep the eWIC card in a safe place, and I will not give my personal identification number (PIN) to anyone unless it is someone who will make WIC purchases as my additional head of household or proxy.
5) All formula/medical food exchanges must take place at the WIC office. Any unused infant formula must be returned to the WIC office.
6) I understand that food benefits are to be purchased only at WIC-authorized stores within the month designated and consumed by the participant for whom they were issued and that unused benefits do not carry over to future months.
7) I am responsible for training my additional head of household or proxy to use the card at the store and for ensuring that my alternate shopper adheres to these same responsibilities.

DISQUALIFICATION/SUSPENSION/PROSECUTION/CASH RECOVERY MAY OCCUR FOR:

1) Exchanging/selling, intending to sell, or giving away the eWIC card or food items purchased with the eWIC card are not permitted and are considered a misuse of WIC benefits. This includes any attempts to sell, exchange, or distribute WIC items for money, credit, or non-WIC items, whether this occurs face-to-face, orally, through printed materials, via social media, the internet, or any other means.
2) Purchasing/receiving and keeping more WIC foods than authorized or foods not on the WIC Allowable Foods List;
3) Physical abuse, the threat of physical abuse, or verbal abuse to WIC or grocery store staff;
4) Using a card I have reported as lost or stolen;
5) Receiving and redeeming WIC food benefits from more than one WIC clinic in the same month.

The financial and eligibility information I have provided is true to the best of my knowledge including household income, number of household members, address, identification documentation, and information regarding health and nutritional status.  I will notify WIC staff immediately of any changes.

By providing my electronic signature, I confirm the following:

1) I accept and acknowledge the statements above;
2) I have been advised of, understand, and have read a copy of the Wyoming WIC Program Participant Rights and Responsibilities;
3) I have been offered a paper copy of the Wyoming WIC Program Participant Rights and Responsibilities.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: [email protected]

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. 

Revised May 2026