WIC Rights & Concerns

As a Vermont WIC Participant, I have the following rights: 

• Receive fair and respectful treatment from WIC staff and grocery store employees.

• Have the information I give to WIC staff stay private. It will not be released to anyone outside the WIC Program without my permission.

• Get nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and information about other helpful health services.

• Use my WIC EBT card at any grocery store in Vermont that is allowed to accept WIC EBT.

• Get a food package that meets my nutritional needs, and/or those of my child.

• Ask for a transfer of my WIC benefits if I move to another county in Vermont.

• Be told in writing when and why my WIC Program benefits will end.

Right to Privacy and How My Information Is Used:

• WIC will not share protected or identifiable information about me or my child without my consent. I may cancel or change my consent at any time. My decision to share information will not affect my benefits or those of my child. 

• I can choose to allow WIC to share my or my child’s information with other Agency of Human Services (AHS) programs that support families and children. If I do not give this permission, it will not affect my or my child’s benefits but may affect the ability of WIC to provide information to help coordinate my or my child’s services.

Right to Fair Treatment and Equal Access:

• I can contact the USDA at any time, or ask WIC staff to help me do so, if I believe that I have been treated unfairly or subject to discrimination.

• I understand WIC collects race and ethnicity data for reporting purposes only, and this does not affect my benefit determination. 

• I understand WIC does not discriminate because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

Right to Appeal if I disagree with a decision about my WIC benefits:

• I can ask for a conference, which is a meeting between the local office supervisor, the State WIC director or representative, and me.

• If I do not want a conference, or if I disagree with the outcome of the conference, I can ask for a fair hearing in front of the Vermont Human Services Board. I must ask for a fair hearing within 60 days of the notice of the decision.

• I can ask a friend, family member, lawyer, or other representative to help me at the conference and/or the fair hearing.

• I can get information about my appeal rights from my local WIC office or by:

  • Visiting: HealthVermont.gov/WIC-Rights-Concerns  
  • Writing: Vermont WIC Program, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-8360
  • Calling: 1-800-649-4357
  • Emailing: [email protected]

• To continue receiving benefits during my appeal, I must ask for my benefits to continue within 15 days of the notice of the decision, and I must be within my certification period. 

As a Vermont WIC Participant, I have the following responsibilities: 

I agree that:

• I will attend all scheduled appointments. I understand that my benefits may be affected if I miss an appointment. 

• I will only use my WIC benefits as intended. I will not sell, give away, or otherwise authorize another person to use my WIC benefits or my WIC card, except as an authorized proxy or alternate shopper. If I violate this rule, my benefits may be affected.

• I will keep my WIC card safe. I will not give my PIN to anyone whom I have not authorized to shop on my behalf. I will notify WIC immediately if my card is lost or stolen. I understand my benefits may not be replaced if this happens.

• I understand that I am responsible for the actions of anyone that I have authorized to use my WIC benefits or card on my behalf, such as an alternate shopper or proxy. I will be responsible for teaching my proxy or alternate shopper how to use my WIC benefits and card appropriately.

• I understand that if I do not use my WIC benefits, they will not be carried over to the next month. I will use my WIC benefits only at approved stores.

• I will return any unused formula, purchased with my WIC benefits, to a WIC office. 

• I will inform WIC if my address changes. If I move out of Vermont, I can ask for a Verification of Certification (VOC) to transfer my WIC benefits to another state.

• I will not provide false information to WIC for purposes of obtaining benefits. I will provide honest answers and information on all WIC benefit applications, certifications, communications, and documentation. If I provide false information, I understand that my WIC benefits may be at risk, I may be subject to legal action, and I may be responsible for repaying the cost of my WIC benefits.

Promise

I promise that the information I provided to WIC is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and ability, including my identity, income, household size, address, and health information. I understand that I must notify WIC immediately of any changes or updates.

By signing my name electronically in the WIC system, I confirm:

• I understand and agree to the Rights and Responsibilities above.

I have received a copy of these Rights and Responsibilities.

Need Help or More Information?

If you need program information in a different language or format (like Braille, large print, or American Sign Language), call your local WIC office or the Vermont WIC Program at 1-800-649-4357.

You can also contact:

• USDA’s TARGET Center: 202-720-2600 (voice/TTY)

• Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339

How to File a Discrimination Complaint

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, WIC is prohibited from discriminating because of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. If you believe you were treated unfairly in a USDA program (like WIC), you can file a complaint.

• Fill out a USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (Form AD-3027), which can be accessed online, from any USDA office, by calling 1-866-632-9992, or by writing a letter to USDA, including your name, address, phone number, and a description of what happened, when it happened, and what the unfair treatment was.

Send your completed form or letter to the USDA:

By mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture                             
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights                  
1400 Independence Avenue, SW                                         
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410                                             

By fax: 833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442

By email: [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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You have the right to appeal a decision about your WIC benefits if the WIC program does not enroll you/your child or disqualifies you/your child and you feel the decision was unfair. Appeal requests must be made within sixty (60) days from the effective date of the decision. To appeal a decision, you may ask for a Local Office Conference and/or a Fair Hearing. A Local Office Conference is a meeting between you, the local office supervisor, and the State WIC Director or representative. A Local Office Conference is not mandatory and is separate from a Fair Hearing. Fair Hearings are held by the Vermont Agency of Human Services, Human Services Board (HSB) and take place in front of an HSB Hearing Officer.

If you have been denied WIC benefits due to a participant violation your request for a Fair Hearing must be made within sixty (60) days from the date the decision letter is postmarked.

How To Request a Local Conference and/or Fair Hearing

WIC Appeal Form

You may make an appeal request for a Fair Hearing and/or Local Office Conferences in person, by phone, mail, or email to the WIC state office, the Human Services Board, or your local WIC office.

To submit electronically, complete an Appeal Form for each Fair Hearing and/or Local Office Conference request. If you need help filling out the form you may ask for assistance. The fillable Appeal form should be emailed to [email protected]  (email for the State WIC Office) and/or the Human Services Board at [email protected].  

The appeal form is also available in paper format. When your request is made in person, the paper form will be provided. Translated materials in preferred language and interpreter services may be requested. You may ask for assistance if you would like help filling out the form. Staff will scan and email the form to the state WIC office and the Human Services Board. Or, you may scan and email the form to the state WIC office at [email protected] or the Human Services Board at [email protected], or mail the form to:

State WIC Director

Vermont WIC Program

280 State Drive

Waterbury, VT 05671-8360

USDA nondiscrimination statement

Do you suspect WIC fraud in Vermont? You can remain anonymous when reporting any alleged abuse, violations, or fraud.

WIC participant abuse includes the following:

• Giving false information to obtain WIC benefits
• Selling WIC foods or formula for cash or credit
• Returning WIC foods or formula for cash or credit
• Purchasing unauthorized items

WIC vendor abuse includes the following:

Redeeming WIC benefits for cash, credit, or unauthorized items

• Physically or verbally threatening a WIC participant
• Overcharging WIC shoppers
• Purchasing infant formula from unauthorized sources

How to report

Please provide the following information:

• Are you a WIC participant, WIC-authorized grocery store/employee, general public?
• Is this concern/report about a WIC participant, WIC-authorized grocery store/employee, WIC clinic, or staff?
• Please describe your concern.
• Please include your contact information if you would like a reply. 

Please send by:

1. email:
   [email protected]; or
2. phone:
   802-863-7333; or
3. mail:
   Vermont Department of Health
   WIC Program
   280 State Drive
   Waterbury, VT 05671