Appendix I: WIC Policy Memo

Appendix I
WIC Policy Memorandum #2023-2:
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P. L. 117-328),
Extending the Temporary Increase in the Cash-Value
Voucher/Benefit for Fruit and Vegetable Purchases

DATE:

January 4, 2023

SUBJECT:

WIC Policy Memorandum #2023-2: Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2023 (P. L. 117-328), Extending the Temporary Increase in the CashValue Voucher/Benefit for Fruit and Vegetable Purchases

TO:

Regional Directors
Special Nutrition Programs
All Regional Offices
WIC State Agency Directors
All State Agencies

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.
L. 117-328, the Act) into law. Division A of the Act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to extend the temporary increase in the Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Cash-Value
Voucher/Benefit (CVV/B) for fruit and vegetable purchases through the end of fiscal year (FY)
2023. The increased amount applies to all women and children participants and aligns with
recommendations by the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM),
adjusted for inflation. The Act also provides funding necessary to accommodate this increase in
the CVV/B, and this memorandum sets forth applicable parameters for nationwide extension of
the CVV/B increase.
This CVV/B increase continues to apply to all women and children participants receiving WIC
food packages III, IV, V, VI, and VII, as defined by WIC regulations at 7 CFR 246.10(e). As
described in WIC Policy Memorandum #2022-8, WIC regulations at 7 CFR 246.16 require the
monthly value of the CVV/B to be issued with inflation-adjusted amounts. As such, through the
end of FY 2023, all WIC State agencies must maintain the same increased CVV/B amounts of
$25 for child participants, $44 for pregnant and postpartum participants, and $49 for fully
and partially breastfeeding participants. Consistent with language set forth in the Act, the
CVV/B increase does not apply to infant participants, including those receiving food package
III.
Since the authority to increase the amount of the CVV/B terminates on Sept. 30, 2023, State
agencies may only provide the increased CVV/B to participants as monthly food benefits for
October 2022 through September 2023. Although the Start Date (i.e., the First Date of Use) of
the September food benefits must be in September 2023, the time periods for transacting and

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Regional and WIC State Agency Directors
Page 2
redeeming September food benefits may occur after Sept. 30, 2023, in accordance with current
State agency policy and procedures. The provision of the temporary CVV/B increase must
run through Sept. 30, 2023.
Funding for the CVV/B increase will be included in the appropriated grants allocated to State
agencies through the WIC funding formula. State agencies must include all funds and
expenditures associated with this increase in the CVV/B on their FY 2023 FNS-798 reports.
State agencies may direct any questions related to this memorandum to their respective FNS
Regional Offices.

SARA OLSON
Director
Policy Division
Supplemental Nutrition and Safety Programs

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