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Section 8.3: Issuing WIC Cards 6/2024 References: 7CFR 246.12 (r)(1)(2)(3) Policy: Issue a WIC Card to the household of WIC participant(s) within a valid certification period to ensure access to household food benefits. Purpose: To ensure that certified participants have access to the food benefits for which they are eligible. Procedures These procedures pertain to initial WIC card issuance only. To replace a previously issued WIC card that has been lost, stolen, or damaged, see Section 8.5: Replacing WIC Cards. 1. Verify identification of the adult participant, authorized representative (e.g., parent/guardian), or proxy whenever issuing a WIC Card. See Guidance. 2. Issue the card to the adult participant, authorized representative (e.g., parent/guardian), or proxy whose identity was verified. Note: The person issued the WIC Card is designated the Primary Card Holder (PCH) in the Information System, whether that person is the adult participant, authorized representative (parent/gaurdian) or proxy. 3. Ensure the PCH signs the signature pad to acknowledge receipt of the WIC card. See Guidance for primary cardholder signature options. 4. Explain to the Primary Card Holder (PCH) how to use the WIC Card, reviewing either the flyer “How to use your WIC Card” or the information in the Shopping Guide. 5. Review the WIC Rights and Responsibilities associated with using the WIC Card. Staff must inform participants that neither redeemed nor expired food benefits can be replaced. 6. Assist the PCH in setting up their 4-digit PIN either by calling the WIC customer service line or through the Web Portal; benefits cannot be accessed until a PIN is set-up. ▪ The person setting up the PIN will need to provide the PCH’s date-of-birth and the zip code for the household’s mailing address. See Guidance below. ▪ The PIN is private - it should be set by the PCH. It should not be known to WIC staff and is not stored in the system.

S E C T I O N 8 . 3 : I S S U I N G W I C C A R D S 2 Guidance ▪ Only issue one WIC card per household. ▪ Alternate Representative/proxy must be a competent person, at least 16 years old. ▪ Identity of an Adult Participant may be verified during certification according to the ID requirements in Section 5.2.3 - Identity. ▪ See Exhibit 5-C: Identification Requirements by WIC Contact Type for acceptable forms of parent/guardian or proxy identification. ▪ Ensure that a participant whose address is listed as the local agency or Safe at Home address is informed of the appropriate zip code to use when setting up or changing their PIN number. See Section 5.2.2 - Residency for more about Safe at Home. ▪ Primary Card Holder Signature Options: If staff are unable to collect the Primary Card Holder’s signature when setting or changing the WIC Card’s Primary Card Holder, the staff member must enter the reason on the signature pad. Use one of the following options to obtain the signature and scan the form into the Information System: ▪ Obtain an electronic signature using the Primary Cardholder Signature Register or by another electronic signature platform like DocuSign. ▪ Use Exhibit 5-B: Registers for Manual Signatures. Reference – Complete Listing of Hyperlinks Section 5.2.2 - Residency (https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/program/mom/chsctns/ch5/sct n5_2_2.pdf) Section 5.2.3 - Identity (https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/program/mom/chsctns/ch5/sct n5_2_3.pdf) Section 8.5: Replacing WIC Cards (https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/program/mom/chsctns/ch8/sct n8_5.pdf) Primary Cardholder Signature Register (https://redcap.health.state.mn.us/redcap/surveys/?s=KCRNPKHRRJ) Exhibit 5-B Registers for Manual Signatures (https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/program/mom/exhbts/ex5/5b. docx)

S E C T I O N 8 . 3 : I S S U I N G W I C C A R D S 3 Exhibit 5-C Identification Requirements by WIC Contact Type (https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/program/mom/exhbts/ex5/5c. pdf) Minnesota Department of Health - WIC Program 625 Robert St N, PO BOX 64975, ST PAUL MN 55164-0975; 1-800-657-3942, health.wic@state.mn.us, www.health.state.mn.us. To obtain this information in a different format, call: 1-800-657-3942 This institution is an equal opportunity provider.