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WIC Compliance The Alabama WIC Program takes program fraud and abuse very seriously. In accordance with USDA Federal Regulations governing the WIC Program authorized WIC vendors found to be in violation of the Alabama WIC Vendor Agreement or engaging in fraudulent activities shall be sanctioned accordingly. A complete sanction schedule can be found at the end of this handbook and in the Alabama WIC Vendor Agreement.

There are two levels of sanctions: federally mandated sanctions and state sanctions. USDA Federal Regulations require mandatory sanctions be imposed for the violations outlined in section 7 CFR 246.12 of Federal Regulations governing the WIC Program. These two levels of violations are not all inclusive. The Department may sanction a vendor for a combination of violations or any other violation of the terms of the agreement.

Sanctions may include monetary claims, fines, termination of a Alabama WIC Vendor Agreement, disqualification of a vendor from the program, and civil money penalties. WIC Program violations can also result in criminal penalties and disqualification from SNAP. Vendor sanctions assigned in the preceding agreement period may impact a vendor’s subsequent authorization. Violations of the WIC Program which occurred during the previous agreement period, if any, may be carried over and used as a basis for imposition of a sanction, termination, or disqualification under any subsequent agreements. Methods of Investigation WIC Program violations can be detected during routine monitoring visits, compliance investigations, inventory audits, and reviewing program reports. If a violation is detected the State WIC Office must impose the applicable sanction. Routine monitoring is an overt, on-site monitoring visit during which program representatives identify themselves to vendor personnel. Authorized WIC vendors are subject to routine monitoring visits at any time for compliance to WIC requirements. During the monitoring visit, the WIC representative will verify minimum stock and check product expiration dates of all WIC approved foods.

They will request an up-to-date training log and request a copy of infant formula invoices. All records pertinent to this monitoring visit must be available for review by the representative upon request.

Monitoring visits are a good time for store employees to ask the WIC