Hurricane Katrina: Legal Issues - Columbus School of Law
Hurricane Katrina: Legal Issues - Columbus School of Law
Hurricane Katrina: Legal Issues - Columbus School of Law
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What Is WIC?<br />
WIC is The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides nutritious foods,<br />
nutrition counseling, and referrals to health and other social services to participants at no charge. WIC serves low<br />
income pregnant, postpartum, and breast feeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition<br />
risk.<br />
If I Have Relocated To Another State, Can I Still Use My September WIC Food Instruments?<br />
Yes. WIC <strong>of</strong>ficials in Louisiana and Mississippi have agreed that September food instruments may be used at any<br />
WICauthorized vendor in any state in the United States. But remember, the Mississippi food instruments can't be<br />
redeemed in grocery stores.<br />
What If I Am From Mississippi, But I Can't Find A WIC Distribution Center In My New Location?<br />
If no WIC distribution center is available, but you still need food assistance, you should be referred to other<br />
emergency assistance programs. Check with your local <strong>of</strong>ficials to find what programs are available in your new<br />
location.<br />
What If The Vendor Doesn't Have The Same Formula Listed On My Food Instrument?<br />
You should try to get the same item listed, but if that's impossible, the vendor can substitute another similar<br />
WICapproved item from the WIC list.<br />
What If I'm Still In A Different State After September?<br />
You must contact that state's local WIC <strong>of</strong>fice in order to recertify and receive additional food instruments. Vendors<br />
should remind you <strong>of</strong> this when you redeem your September instruments.<br />
What If All My Important Documents Were Destroyed In The <strong>Hurricane</strong>?<br />
WIC <strong>of</strong>ficials have agreed to waive the normal required documentation <strong>of</strong> identity, residency and income for WIC<br />
applicants affected by the disaster in order to make it easier for you to get food assistance. You may be required to<br />
sign papers confirming your identity and residency. You may also be required to sign a statement specifying the<br />
reason you can't document your income.<br />
Do I Have To Live In The New Location For A Certain Time Before I Can Receive WIC Aid?<br />
No. Under § 246.7(l)(2) <strong>of</strong> the WIC regulations, as long as you are willing to sign papers certifying your identity and<br />
current location, WIC will not require that you have been there a certain length <strong>of</strong> time before you can get food<br />
assistance. Be aware, though, that the center may choose to certify you for a shorter than normal period <strong>of</strong> time, at<br />
their discretion, according to WIC regulation § 246.7(g)(2).<br />
What If I Can't Afford Or Find Gasoline To Go To My WIC Center?<br />
Between September and December 2005, WIC distribution centers can mail up to three months' worth <strong>of</strong> food<br />
instruments to you, as long as you are not scheduled for a recertification visit. The centers are required to take certain<br />
mailing precautions to prevent theft while the instruments are on their way to you. If you are scheduled for a nutrition<br />
education visit, you can still have instruments mailed to you for the time being, but you have to reschedule the visit.<br />
Centers can give up to one month <strong>of</strong> food instruments until you can reschedule, per §246.7(g)(3) <strong>of</strong> WIC regulations.<br />
What If I'm Having A Lot Of Trouble Scheduling A Visit To My WIC Center?
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