July 2020 (Calculator link updated January 2026)

Connecticut WIC Program Manual

WIC 400-13 SECTION: 400 SUBJECT: Formula Issuance Using Monthly Issuance and Rounding Up Methodology including issuance of specialized formulas in Food Package III for children and women not exceeding Maximum Monthly Allowance.

Federal Regulation: 246.10 Background: WIC SA (State Agencies) must issue formulas in amounts consistent with WIC regulations established for maximum monthly allowances of reconstituted fluid ounces of liquid concentrate, ready-to-feed and powder infant formula for each infant food package (I, II, III) and infant feeding options partially breastfeeding and fully formula fed. Full Nutrition Benefit (FNB) definition – represents reconstituted fluid ounces of liquid concentrate infant formula and minimum amount of formula that must be provided (excluding individual nutrition tailoring based on a participant’s breastfeeding assessment). The FNB serves as common denominator that ensures that a similar amount of formula regardless of the physical form is issued. Maximum Monthly Allowances (MMA) definition – represents the upper limit of issuance for each of the physical forms of infant formula. Policy: The State Agency will use monthly issuance as the first option and then rounding up methodology (when the can size is such that it will exceed the MMA) to provide the FNB without exceeding the monthly allowance for WIC formulas authorized on the Connecticut Food Guide. However, WIC staff are expected to individually tailor the amount of infant formula based on the assessed needs of the breastfeeding infant and provide the minimal amount of formula that meets but does not exceed the infant’s nutritional needs (this amount will be less than the FNB). Monthly Issuance Steps to calculate the monthly container issuance 1. Determine FNB as per infant’s food package and feeding option (fully formula feeding or partially breastfeeding). 2. Divide FNB by the reconstitution yield of the product container. 3. Round up to the next whole container amount (e.g. 8.57 rounds up to 9 containers). 4. Multiply the whole container amount (Step 3) once again by the reconstitution yield of the container.

July 2020 (Calculator link updated January 2026)

5. Compare the figure of step 4 with the Maximum Monthly Allowance for the formula form, infant’s food package and feeding option to make sure does not exceed the maximum monthly allowance. Rounding Up Methodology -The State Office will use the rounding up methodology for a formula product when the reconstitution yield of an infant formula container is such that the FNB cannot be provided without exceeding the MMA. The FNB is determined over the timeframe (the number of months that the participant receives the food package). In any given month of the timeframe, the monthly issuance of reconstituted fluid ounces of infant formula may exceed the maximum monthly allowance or fall below the FNB; however, the cumulative average over the timeframe may not fall below the FNB. Steps for rounding up methodology: Step 1. Multiply the FNB by the number of months in food package as per infant category (IFF, IBP) Step 2. Determine the yield (in reconstituted fluid ounces) per container of formula to be issued. Step 3. Divide the total amount of formula to be issued (Step 1 calculation) by the yield or reconstituted fluid ounces (Step 2). The result is the number of containers to issue during the time frame. Step 4. If the result (Step 3 calculation) is not a whole number, round up to the next whole same size container. (Example, 33.3 containers would round up to 34 containers) Step 5. Distribute the total containers across the food package timeframe (number of months) as evenly as possible, with the most benefit provided in the beginning months of the food package timeframe (e.g. 9,9, 8, 8). For all food packages issued, it is the responsibility of local agency staff to ensure that the amounts being issued for the various timeframes (0-3 months, 4-5 months, 6-11 months) does not exceed the maximum monthly allowance for WIC authorized formulas. Please refer to the CT WIC Maximum WIC Issuance of Standard Contract Formula and Specialized Formula in Can/Bottles/Packages Based on Formula Packages' Time Frames in Months (0-3 Months, 4-5 Months, 6-11 Months) document. Individual Tailoring of Infant Formulas The food packages for partially breastfeeding mothers and infants are designed to provide for the supplemental nutrition needs of the breastfeeding dyad, provide minimal formula supplementation to help mothers maintain milk supply and provide incentives for continued breastfeeding. For partially breastfed infants, WIC staff are expected to individually tailor the amount of infant formula based on the assessed needs of the breastfeeding infant and provide the minimal amount of formula that meets but does not exceed the infant’s nutritional needs (this amount will be less than the FNB). WIC formula in Food Package III for Children and Women

July 2020 (Calculator link updated January 2026)

Women and children who receive WIC Food Package III have qualifying medical conditions that require the use of a WIC formula. The amount of formula issued to these medically fragile participants is based on medical documentation of their assessed nutritional needs. WIC staff are expected to tailor the amount of WIC formula based on the assessed needs of the individual. Food package III for children and women does not contain a FNB amount, the issuance of WIC formula is calculated up to the maximum monthly allowance and will not round up. For instance, if the calculation is 18.6 packages, the issuance will be 18 packages. Example Pediasure 8 ounces 6 pack Package yields 48 ounces. The maximum monthly allowance is 910 ounces reconstituted liquid concentrate. 910 divided by 48 equals 18.9 packages. The issuance is 18 packages, 864 fl ounces, not exceeding the Maximum Monthly Allowance.

WIC Infant Formula Calculator https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/wic-infant-formula-calculator-2