WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...

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WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...
WIC RETAIL STORE
                    ANNUAL TRAINING 2021
                            eWIC

Welcome to Pennsylvania’s annual vendor training.

                                                    1
WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...
WELCOME

        Training objectives
          Assure WIC authorized stores are educated in WIC Program
           regulations, policies, and procedures
          Improve WIC Program services for both customers and retail
           grocers
          Prevent program noncompliance
          Provide training & training materials to stores
          Make the eWIC transaction go as smoothly as possible

                                                                                   2

The objectives of this training are:

       • To assure WIC authorized stores are educated in WIC Program regulations, policies,
         and procedures
       • To Improve WIC Program services for both customers and retail grocers
       • To Prevent program noncompliance
       • Provide training & training materials to stores
       • And Make the eWIC transaction go as smoothly as possible

                                                                                              2
WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...
AGENDA
         Overview of WIC
         WIC Food List
         Shopping
         eWIC
         L3 Certifications
         Customer Service
         Vendor Responsibilities with eWIC
         Sanctions
         Types of Compliance Monitoring
         Questions
                                              3

Today’s agenda will be covering an

Overview of the WIC program
WIC Food List
Shopping
eWIC transactions
L3 Certifications
Customer Service
Vendor Responsibilities with eWIC
Sanctions
Types of Compliance Monitoring
And what to do if you have Questions

                                                  3
WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...
WHAT IS WIC?
                                         No cost health and nutrition
                                            program for pregnant
                                            women, breastfeeding
                                         women, postpartum women,
                                          infants, and children up to
                                                     age 5.
                           WIC
                                               Provides nutrition
                                           education, breastfeeding
                                              support, nutritious
                                           supplemental foods and
                                          referrals to valuable health
                                              and social services.

                                                                                 4

What is WIC? It stands for Women, Infants and Children

It is a No cost health and nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding
women, postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.

It provides nutrition education, Breastfeeding support, nutritious supplemental foods
and referrals to valuable health and social services.

                                                                                        4
WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...
PA WIC ELIGIBILITY

        Must provide proof of Pennsylvania residency

        Must have a household income not exceeding 185% of Federal
         Poverty Guidelines

        Must be certified to have a medical or nutritional risk by the WIC
         staff

                                                                              5

To be eligible for WIC you must provide proof of Pennsylvania residency. WIC does not
look at citizenship. Participants must also have a household income that does not
exceed the 185% poverty guideline or be eligible for Medical assistance through the
state of PA. You must also be certified to have a medical or nutritional risk by WIC
staff.

                                                                                        5
WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...
INCOME GUIDELINES
                              FOR PENNSYLVANIA WIC
                     EFFECTIVE DATE: JULY 1, 2020 – JUNE 30, 2021

       Family Size   Weekly       Bi-Weekly   Twice-Monthly   Monthly     Annual

           1          $454          $908          $984        $1,968      $23,606

           2          $614         $1,227        $1,329       $2,658      $31,894

           3          $773         $1,546        $1,675       $3,349      $40,182

           4          $933         $1,865        $2,020       $4,040      $48,470

           5         $1,092        $2,183        $2,365       $4,730      $56,758

           6         $1,251        $2,502        $2,711       $5,421      $65,046

           7         $1,411        $2,821        $3,056       $6,112      $73,334

           8         $1,570        $3,140        $3,401       $6,802      $81,622

      Add’l Family    $160          $319          $346         $691       $8,288
       Members
                                                                                    6

Next, we are going to look at the income guidelines. You can see the family size on the
left. Then you can see the gross weekly, bi-weekly, twice-monthly, monthly and annual
salaries that participants must be under to be eligible for WIC. For example, a
household of 4 can make up to $48,470 and be eligible for WIC.

                                                                                          6
WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...
FUNDING

                       USDA Federal Grant
                       Funding

                          WIC is administered by
                          The Pennsylvania Health
                          Department

                             Locally managed by
                                      Local Agencies

                                                                                 7

Funding is provided by USDA. Each state does things a little differently. In our state WIC
is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. They contract with local
agencies that manage and operate the WIC clinics.
WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...
WIC FOOD LIST

Next, we are going to be talking about the food list.

                                                        8
WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...
Nutrient      WIC Foods Which Supply the Nutrient

                   Protein       infant formula, milk, eggs, cheese, peanut butter,
                                 legumes (beans), canned fish

                   Iron          WIC-allowed brands of cereal, legumes (beans), eggs,
                                 iron-fortified infant formula

                   Vitamin C     WIC-allowed juices (citrus fruit juice, fruit
                                 juices fortified with Vitamin C), infant formula,
                                 fruits and vegetables
                   Vitamin A     milk, eggs, infant formula, fruits and vegetables,
                                 canned fish

                   Calcium       cheese, milk, infant formula, soy products

                   Fiber         fruits, vegetables, whole grains, whole grain cereals

                                                                                         9

The important nutrients and the WIC foods which supply those nutrients are listed in
the table. These nutrients drive the foods that the WIC program provides to
participants.

                                                                                             9
WIC RETAIL STORE ANNUAL TRAINING 2021 - eWIC Welcome to Pennsylvania's annual vendor training - Pennsylvania ...
THE WIC FOOD LIST
        Milk                               Fruits and Vegetables
        Cheese                             Whole Grains
        Eggs                               Infant Fruits and Vegetables
        Juice                              Infant Meats
        Cereal                             Infant Cereal
        Peanut Butter                      Formula
        Dried Beans and Peas               Soy Products
        Canned Beans                       Tofu
        Canned Fish                        Yogurt

                                                                                10

It is a requirement to have the food list at each register that participants could use at
your store. We are going look at each of the categories but will not be going into every
single item that is allowed or not allowed. Please make sure to review your food list for
a thorough listing of all items.

                                                                                            10
MILK

      Can buy any brand
      Half gallons or gallons
      Participants must buy the fat level that is on their WIC benefit balance.

                                                                                   11

The first item that we will be looking at is Milk

Participants can buy any brand of milk in half gallons or gallons
Participants must buy the fat level that is on their WIC benefit balance. The benefit
balance will indicate whether they can purchase whole, reduced fat, low fat or nonfat.
No exceptions can be made from the fat level listed on the participants card.

                                                                                         11
CHEESE

           Can buy
               • Any brand                         Can’t buy
               • 8 or 16 oz packages                   • Individually wrapped
               • block, sliced, shredded,                  cheese
                  stick or string                      • Deli cheese
               • Check your food list for              • Cheese with added
                  the types of cheese                      ingredients
                  allowed                              • Smoked cheese
                                                       • Cubed cheese

                                                                                12

Cheese
Participants can buy
        •   8 or 16 oz packages
        •   block, sliced, shredded, stick or string
        •   Check your food list for the types of cheese allowed, such as cheddar or
            mozzarella

Some of the items that participants can’t buy are:
      • Individually wrapped cheese
      • Deli cheese
      • Cheese with added ingredients, such as pepperjack or horseradish cheese
      • Smoked cheese
      • And cubed cheese

                                                                                       12
YOGURT
         32 oz containers only
         Brands specified on food list

              Whole Fat
                                                                            Non-Fat

                                             Low Fat

         Participants must purchase what is on their WIC benefit balance

                                                                                      13

Yogurt
Participants can purchase 32-ounce containers only. Brands are specified on the food
list. They can buy whole fat, low fat or non-fat. Just like milk, the fat level that the
participant is allowed to purchase will be listed on their WIC benefit balance. If their
benefit balance says whole fat yogurt, then they can only purchase whole fat and are
not allowed to purchase low fat or nonfat yogurts.

                                                                                           13
SOY PRODUCTS

        Soy Beverages                        Tofu
          32- or 64-ounce containers only      16-ounce containers
          Brand specific                       Brand specific

                                                                                14

Soy Products

Soy Beverages can be purchased in 32- or 64-ounce containers only
Tofu can be purchased in 16-ounce containers only.

Both of these items are brand specific, please check your food list for the approved
products.

                                                                                       14
JUICE
         Must be 100% juice
         Brand specific
         Some of the items that they are not allowed to purchase are ciders, cocktails, organic or
          juice with added non-nutritive sweeteners

                                                                                         11.5 – 12-ounce
                            64-ounce bottles or                                          frozen juice, 48
                                 cartons                                                 ounce, or shelf
                                                                                       stable concentrate

                                                                                                      15

Juice must be 100% juice
Juice is brand specific, see your WIC food list for products that are allowed.
Some of the items that cannot be purchased are ciders, cocktails, organic or juice with
added non-nutritive sweeteners

Children receive 64 oz bottles or cartons
Women receive 11.5 to 12-ounce frozen juice, 48-ounce bottles or shelf stable
concentrate.

                                                                                                            15
FRUITS & VEGETABLES

         Any brand
         Organic products are allowed
                                                            CANNED

                                         FROZEN

        FRESH

                                                                                16

In this category, participants are issued dollar amounts to purchase fruits and
vegetables.
Any brand is allowed
This is the one category that participants can purchase organic products.
Participants can purchase
• Fresh, any whole or cut with no added sugars, fats or oils.
• Frozen, any brand with no added sugars, fats or oils.
• OR canned, any brand, jarred or multi-pack with no added sugars, fats, oils or salt.
   Whole kernel corn and green peas that contain sugar are allowed.
Check your food lists for additional items that are not allowed to be purchased.

                                                                                         16
CEREAL
                            Brand specific
                            12-ounce packages or larger

                                                                                  17

Cereal is another brand specific category, so check out your food list for items that are
allowed.

Packages must be in 12-ounce packages or higher.

                                                                                            17
WHOLE GRAINS

      •   16-ounce packages
      •   Brand specific

                              Whole wheat or whole grain breads or rolls

                              Whole wheat pasta

                              Whole grain brown rice

                              Corn or whole wheat tortillas

                              Oats
                                                                               18

Whole grains must be purchased in 16-ounce packaging and are brand specific.

Participants can purchase whole wheat or whole grain breads or rolls, whole wheat
pasta, whole grain brown rice, corn or whole wheat tortillas and oats.

                                                                                    18
LEGUMES (BEANS)

    Any brand

    15.5 to 16-ounce cans

    1 pound of dried beans

    Participants can purchase canned or dried
    based on what is on their WIC benefit balance.

                                                                             19

Next are the Legumes or Beans
Any brand is allowed to be purchased in 15.5 to 16-ounce cans or 1 pound dried

Participants can purchase canned or dried beans based on what is on their WIC benefit
balance.

                                                                                        19
CANNED FISH

          3.75-, 5- or 6-ounce cans only
          Any brand chunk Light Tuna, Pink Salmon
           or Sardines
          Cannot buy those packed in oil

                                                            20

Canned fish
Participants can purchase 3.75-, 5- or 6-ounce cans only
Any brand chunk Light Tuna, Pink Salmon or Sardines
Has to be packed in water, cannot buy those packed in oil

                                                                 20
INFANT FOODS

                   Formula

                Infant Cereal

                Infant Fruits
               and Vegetables

                 Infant Meats

                                                                             21

Infant Foods
Formula can be purchased based on the brand and type specified on their WIC benefit
balance
Infant cereal can be purchased in 8- or 16-ounce containers. It can be barley, rice,
oatmeal, whole wheat or multigrain.
Infant fruits and vegetables can be purchased in 4-ounce containers. Multipacks are
also allowed in the 2-2 ounce or 2-4 ounce packaging.
Infant meats can be purchased in the 2.5-ounce containers and are only for fully
breastfed babies.

                                                                                       21
EGGS

                                                   •   Grade A or AA
                                                   •   Brown or White
                                                   •   Small, medium or large
                                                   •   Cannot buy
                                                       •   Organic
                                                       •   Specialty eggs

                                                                                22

Eggs

Can be Grade A or AA (double AA)
Brown or White
Small, medium or large
Cannot buy
•    Organic or
•    Specialty eggs, such as free range or vegetarian fed

                                                                                     22
PEANUT BUTTER

          16 – 18-ounce
          containers

          Any brand labeled
          peanut butter
                                                                                23

Lastly is Peanut Butter

It can be purchased in 16-18-ounce containers

Any brand labeled peanut butter can be purchased. No spreads or peanut butter mixed
with other items.

This has been just a quick look at the food list. Please make sure to review your food
list for a complete list of allowed and non allowed products

                                                                                         23
CHANGES TO THE FOOD LIST

Next, we are going to be talking about the recent changes to the brand specific food
products.

                                                                                       24
YOGURT - ADDED

     Whole Fat:
         ▪Essential Everyday:   Plain
         ▪Giant Eagle:          Plain          Low Fat:
                                                   ▪Essential Everyday:   Blueberry
         ▪Tops:                 Plain
                                                   ▪Price Rite:           Plain and Vanilla
         ▪Weis:                 Plain
                                                   ▪Tops:                 Blended Blueberry,
                                                                          Plain, Strawberry and
                                                                          Vanilla
                                                   ▪Weis:                 Blueberry
     Non-Fat:                                      ▪Yoplait:              Blueberry
         ▪Giant Eagle:   Vanilla
         ▪Tops:          Plain and Vanilla

                                                                                           25

This is a list of new products in the whole fat, low fat and nonfat yogurt.

In the Whole Fat category:
       ▪Essential Everyday:                   Plain
       ▪Giant Eagle:                          Plain
       ▪Tops:                                 Plain
       ▪Weis:                                 Plain
In the Low Fat:
       ▪Essential Everyday:                   Blueberry
       ▪Price Rite:                           Plain and Vanilla
       ▪Tops:                                 Blended Blueberry, Plain, Strawberry and
       Vanilla
       ▪Weis:                                 Blueberry
       ▪Yoplait:                              Blueberry
In the Non-Fat:
       ▪Giant Eagle:                          Vanilla
       ▪Tops:                                 Plain and Vanilla

                                                                                                  25
YOGURT - REMOVED

      Whole Fat:                                   Non-Fat:
      ▪Shop Rite:            Plain                   ▪Best Yet:        Vanilla
      Low Fat:                                      ▪Dannon:          Strawberry and
                                                                       Strawberry Banana
      ▪Essential Everyday:   Peach and Raspberry
                                                     ▪Lucerne:         Plain
      ▪Giant Eagle:          All varieties
                                                     ▪Market Pantry:   Plain
      ▪Lucerne:              Strawberry and
                             Vanilla                 ▪Shurfine:        Plain and Vanilla
      ▪Market Pantry:        Vanilla                 ▪Weis:            Plain
      ▪Shurfine:             Plain and Vanilla       ▪ Yoplait:        Plain

                                                                                      26

Yogurt that is being removed

In Whole Fat:
       ▪Shop Rite:                                 Plain
In Low Fat:
       ▪Essential Everyday:                        Peach and Raspberry
       ▪Giant Eagle:                               All varieties
       ▪Lucerne:                                   Strawberry and Vanilla
       ▪Market Pantry:                             Vanilla
       ▪Shurfine:                                  Plain and Vanilla

In Non-Fat:
       ▪Best Yet:                                  Vanilla
       ▪Dannon:                                    Strawberry and Strawberry Banana
       ▪Lucerne:                                   Plain
       ▪Market Pantry:                             Plain
       ▪Shurfine:                                  Plain and Vanilla
       ▪Weis:                                      Plain

                                                                                           26
▪ Yoplait:   Plain

                     26
SOY PRODUCTS - ADDED

        Soy Beverage                      Tofu
          Great Value     Original Soy       Soy Boy         Firm

                                                                            27

New Soy products are being added. Great Value Original Soy in the Soy Beverage
category and Soy Boy Firm in the Tofu category.

                                                                                 27
64 OZ JUICE - ADDED
      ▪ Everfresh:     Apple                             Ruby Kist:            Apple, Grape, White Grape,
                                                                                Grapefruit
      ▪ Langers:       Harvest Apple, Apple, Grape,
                       Concord Grape, Apple              Price-Rite:           Apple, Grape
                       Cranberry, Apple Grape, Apple
                       Orange Pineapple, Apple Berry
                       Cherry, Apple Kiwi Strawberry,
                       Apple Peach Mango, Pineapple,    ADDITIONAL FLAVORS
                       Berry                             Welch’s:              White Grape Peach
      ▪ Northland:     Cranberry, Cranberry Grape,       Mott’s:               Apple Cherry, Apple Mango,
                       Cranberry Raspberry, Cranberry                           Apple White Grape
                       Blackberry, Cranberry
                       Pomegranate, Blueberry            Best Yet:             Cranberry
                       Blackberry, Cranberry Mango
                                                         Essential Everyday:   Cranberry
      ▪ Ocean Spray:   Apple, Concord Grape,
                       Cranberry Blackberry;             Shop-Rite:            Grape, Tomato
                       Cranberry Cherry, Cranberry
                       Concord Grape, Cranberry          Tipton Grove:         White Grape, Vegetable,
                       Mango, Cranberry Pineapple,                              Pineapple
                       Cranberry Pomegranate,
                       Cranberry Raspberry

                                                                                                             28

In the 64 oz juice category there are several new brands and flavors. Everfresh,
Langers, Northland, Ocean Spray, Ruby Kist and Price Rite have come on with many
flavors.

Brands that have added additional flavors are Welch’s, Mott’s, Best Yet, Essential
Everyday, Shop-Rite and Tipton Grove.

                                                                                                                  28
64 OZ JUICE - REMOVED
         Best Yet:          Vegetable          Musselman’s:        Apple
         Diane’s Garden:    Vegetable          Market Pantry:      All varieties
         Food Club:         All varieties      Parade:             All varieties
         Giant Eagle:       Cranberry          Red and White:      All varieties
         Giant:             Cranberry          Shurfine:           All varieties
         Hy-Top:            All varieties      Signature Select:   All varieties
         Krasdale:          All varieties      Welch’s:            Tropical Trio
         Lucky Leaf:        All varieties

                                                                                     29

Here is a list of 64-ounce juices that are being removed and their varieties.

Best Yet:                                    Vegetable
Diane’s Garden:                              Vegetable
Food Club:                                   All varieties
Giant Eagle:                                 Cranberry
Giant:                                       Cranberry
Hy-Top:                                      All varieties
Krasdale:                                    All varieties
Lucky Leaf:                                  All varieties
Musselman’s:                                 Apple
Market Pantry:                               All varieties
Parade:                                      All varieties
Red and White:                               All varieties
Shurfine:                                    All varieties
Signature Select:                            All varieties
Welch’s:                                     Tropical Trio

                                                                                          29
JUICE - ADDED

        48 ounce
         Apple and Eve: Cranberry Blend
        11-.5 -12 ounce
         Tops:             Apple

                                                                          30

In the 48-ounce containers, Apple & Eve Cranberry Blend has been added.

In the 11.5-12-ounce, Tops Apple juice has also been added.

                                                                               30
JUICE - REMOVED

        48 ounce                             11.5 -12 ounce

         ▪Apple and Eve:     Naturally         ▪Essential Everyday:   Grape
                             Cranberry         ▪Market Pantry:        All varieties
         ▪Food Club:         All Varieties     ▪Signature Select:     All varieties
         ▪Red and White:     All Varieties
         ▪Shurfine:          All Varieties

                                                                                31

Juices that are being removed in the 48 ounce size are:
        ▪Apple and Eve:      Naturally Cranberry
        ▪Food Club:          All Varieties
        ▪Red and White:      All Varieties
        ▪Shurfine:           All Varieties

In the 11.5-12 ounce size are :
        ▪Essential Everyday:                 Grape
        ▪Market Pantry:                      All varieties
        ▪Signature Select:                   All varieties

                                                                                      31
CEREAL - ADDED

   Chex:            Cinnamon, Blueberry       Life:                 Vanilla
                    and Vanilla               Quaker Instant Grits: Cheddar Cheese
   Cream of Rice:   Instant and Original      Special K:            Protein Honey
   Farina Hot Wheat                                                 Almond and
   Great Grains:    Crunchy Pecan                                   Protein Touch of
   Kellogg’s:       Frosted Mini-wheats                             Cinnamon
                    Mixed Berry               Store Brand:          Tops

                                                                                32

In the cereal category there are two new brands

Cream of Rice: Instant and Original
Farina Hot Wheat

The following cereals have added some new flavors:
Chex:                        Cinnamon, Blueberry and Vanilla
Great Grains:                Crunchy Pecan
Kellogg’s:                   Frosted Mini-wheats Mixed Berry
Life:                        Vanilla
Quaker Instant Grits:        Cheddar Cheese
Special K:                   Protein Honey Almond and Protein Touch of Cinnamon

In the Store Brands, Tops has been added.

                                                                                       32
CEREAL - REMOVED

    Cream of Wheat: Healthy Grain & 10
                    Minute
    Maypo:          Maple Oatmeal
    Kellogg’s:      Frosted Mini Wheats
                    Touch of Fruit Raspberry
    Post:           Honey Bunches of Oats         Post:             Bran Flakes
                    Cinnamon                      Quaker:           Corn Crunch
                                                  Sunbelt Bakery:   Simple Granola
                                                  Store Brands -    Giant Eagle, IGA, Ralston
                                                                    Foods, Shurfine

                                                                                                33

Cereal that is being removed:

Cream of Wheat:                    Healthy Grain & 10 Minute
Maypo:                             Maple Oatmeal
Kellogg’s:                         Frosted Mini Wheats Touch of Fruit Raspberry
Post:                              Honey Bunches of Oats Cinnamon
Post:                              Bran Flakes
Quaker:                            Corn Crunch
Sunbelt Bakery:                    Simple Granola

In the Store Brands -              Giant Eagle, IGA, Ralston Foods, and Shurfine are being
removed.

                                                                                                     33
WHOLE GRAINS - ADDED

   BREADS
   100% Whole Wheat Breads:                    TORTILLAS
       Bowl and Basket                         Best Choice: Corn Taco Size, 100% Whole Wheat Soft Taco
       Gourmet                                               Size & 100% Whole Wheat Fajita Size
       Hauswald                                Frescados:    100% Whole Wheat and Taqueria Style Mini
       Schmidt Old Tyme                                      Corn
       Super Bread                             Guerrero:     Corn White
   Pepperidge Farms Whole Grain Rye Seeded     IGA:          Taco Style Whole Wheat
   Bread                                       La Banderita: Gluten-Free Grande Corn and White Corn
                                               Mayan Farm: Whole Wheat
                                               Shop-Rite:    Whole Wheat
  RICE
                                               Tio Santi:    Whole Wheat
  Best Choice
                                               Tops:         Whole Wheat
  Giant
  Hy-Top
  Wegman’s
                                                                                                  34

In the bread category the following products have been added.

100% Whole Wheat Breads:
      Bowl and Basket
      Gourmet
      Hauswald
      Schmidt Old Tyme
      Super Bread
Pepperidge Farms Whole Grain Rye Seeded Bread

In the whole grain brown RICE
Best Choice
Giant
Hy-Top
and Wegman’s are coming on

In TORTILLAS we are adding
Best Choice:                         Corn Taco Size, 100% Whole Wheat Soft Taco Size & 100%
Whole Wheat Fajita Size

                                                                                                         34
Frescados:      100% Whole Wheat and Taqueria Style Mini Corn
Guerrero:       Corn White
IGA:            Taco Style Whole Wheat
La Banderita:   Gluten-Free Grande Corn and White Corn
Mayan Farm:     Whole Wheat
Shop-Rite:      Whole Wheat
Tio Santi:      Whole Wheat
Tops:           Whole Wheat

                                                                34
WHOLE GRAINS - REMOVED
                            RICE
                            Market Pantry
                            Shurfine
                            Uncle Ben’s:    Natural Whole Grain
                                            Brown Rice

  TORTILLAS                                          TORTILLAS
  Best Choice:   Corn Taco Size, 100%                La Banderita:   Gluten-Free Grande Corn
                 Whole Wheat Soft Taco                               and White Corn
                 Size & 100% Whole Wheat             Mayan Farm:     Whole Wheat
                 Fajita Size                         Shop-Rite:      Whole Wheat
  Frescados:     100% Whole Wheat and                Tio Santi:      Whole Wheat
                 Taqueria Style Mini Corn            Tops:           Whole Wheat
  Guerrero:      Corn White
  IGA:           Taco Style Whole Wheat
                                                                                               35

Whole grains being removed in the Rice category are:

Market Pantry
Shurfine
Uncle Ben’s:                       Natural Whole Grain Brown Rice

In Tortillas:
Best Choice:                       Corn Taco Size, 100% Whole Wheat Soft Taco Size & 100%
Whole Wheat Fajita Size
Frescados:                         100% Whole Wheat and Taqueria Style Mini Corn
Guerrero:                          Corn White
IGA:                               Taco Style Whole Wheat
La Banderita:                      Gluten-Free Grande Corn and White Corn
Mayan Farm:                        Whole Wheat
Shop-Rite:                         Whole Wheat
Tio Santi:                         Whole Wheat
Tops:                              Whole Wheat

                                                                                                    35
WHOLE GRAINS - REMOVED

         BREADS
                                                           Nickles Bakery:  Country Style 100%
         Gold Medal
                                                                                Whole Wheat Bread
         Great Value
                                                           Pepperidge Farm: Light Style 100% Whole
         Harvest Pride
                                                                                Wheat Bread
         Krasdale
                                                           Roman Meal:      SunGrain 100% Whole
         Merita
                                                                                Wheat Bread
         Monk’s Bread:     100% Whole Wheat and
                                                           Schwebel’s
                           Multi-Grain
                                                           Shop-Rite
         Nature’s Harvest: 100% Stoneground
                                                           Signature Select
                           Whole Wheat Bread

                         WHOLE WHEAT PASTA
                         Essential Everyday:
                             Whole Wheat Vermicelli (same product and UPC
                             as Thin Spaghetti)
                                                                                                     36
                         Shurfine

Breads that are being removed are:

Gold Medal
Great Value
Harvest Pride
Krasdale
Merita
Monk’s Bread:                        100% Whole Wheat and Multi-Grain
Nature’s Harvest:                    100% Stoneground Whole Wheat Bread
Nickles Bakery:                      Country Style 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Pepperidge Farm:                     Light Style 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Roman Meal:                          SunGrain 100% Whole Wheat Bread
Schwebel’s
Shop-Rite
Signature Select

Lastly in whole wheat pasta

Essential Everyday:

                                                                                                          36
Whole Wheat Vermicelli (because there is another product with the
same UPC called Thin Spaghetti
And Shurfine.

New food lists will be coming out shortly. They will be good from January 1 st thru
September 30, 2021. Your local retail store coordinator will provide them to you when
they are available.

                                                                                        36
SHOPPING

Next we are going to be talking about shopping.

                                                  37
WIC SHOPPER APP
       WIC Shopper App
        Participants can scan items to see if
        they are WIC allowable.

        Shows vendors that accept eWIC

        Food list is also available on this app.

        There is a method to send in products
        that participants and vendors think
        should be on the list.

                                                                               38

A WIC Shopper app is available for participant and vendors. There are several nice
features that both groups can use.
• One of the nicest features is that participants can scan items to see if they are WIC
   allowable.
        • Participants do need to understand that just because something might be
           WIC allowable, doesn’t mean that they can purchase the item. It has to also
           be on their Benefit balance to be purchased.
• Participants can also look up to see which grocery stores they can shop at or that are
   near them.
• The Food list in English and Spanish is also available on this app.
• Participants and vendors can use this app to send in UPCs that they think should be
   on the program. Notification comes in thru an email at the State Agency, where
   state staff can review the item and respond back to the sender about whether it is
   allowed or not.

                                                                                           38
MINIMUM INVENTORY REQUIREMENTS

       Review of Minimum Inventory Requirements

            Refer to page 7 Retail Store Handbook

                                                                           39

We are going to be reviewing minimum inventory requirements next. Please refer to
page 7 of your Retail Store Handbook.

                                                                                    39
MINIMUM INVENTORY REQUIREMENTS

These are the requirements that must be available at or below the competitive price.
Stores that are applying to become WIC authorized stores are required to have all of
the items shown. For example, If you look at formula, stores must have 10 – 12.5-
ounce cans of the Similac Advance powder on site every day that they are open.
WIC authorized stores may be granted an exception for stocking some of these items
based on proven lack of WIC customer needs. Exempted products specified on a WIC
benefit balance must be available within 48 hours.

                                                                                       40
On page 8, you can see there are other standard formulas and alternative products
which are not minimum inventory requirements, but stores must be able to get these
items in within 72 hours after being presented with a WIC benefit balance with that
item.

                                                                                      41
eWIC

Now we are going to talk about eWIC.

                                              42
eWIC

                                                                                43

This is the new eWIC decal that stores should be displaying. This is a requirement for
all authorized stores to display this decal on their doors.

                                                                                         43
eWIC INFORMATION FLOW
                                                    Food
                                               Package/Benefits             Smart
                          PA WIC MIS                                         Card

                                                                                      Updated Food
                    Reconciliation       Hot Card List                 Food          Package/Benefits
                        File         Authorized Product List      Package/Benefits

                     Payment Processor

                                                               Claim File

                                                          Hot Card List
                                                      Authorized Product List

                                                          Reconciliation File

                                                                                                        44

There are a lot of moving parts and information that flows from one system to another with
eWIC

1. The MIS does the same thing it does now – participants are certified and a food package is
   created and assigned to the participant.
2. Rather than printing the checks, a card is loaded with those benefits– CLICK NOW TO
   ADVANCE IMAGE
3. The MIS also creates two files that the stores must use
       • The Hot Card List – or HCL – tells the EBT vendor which cards have been reported
             lost or stolen or are no longer valid
       • The Authorized Product List – or APL – tells the EBT vendor which products are
             authorized as WIC eligible products. This file is at the individual UPC level for each
             product.
4. The MIS sends the files to the EBT processor. - – CLICK NOW TO ADVANCE IMAGE
5. The store is responsible for downloading those two files we just mentioned at least every
   48 hours (can be done more often)– the HCL and the APL – CLICK NOW TO ADVANCE THE
   IMAGE
6. The customer goes to the store, does their shopping, and then goes to the checkout. The
   card is inserted into the card reader and the cashier scans the items. – CLICK NOW TO
   ADVANCE THE IMAGE
7. The card and items are reviewed by the card reader and approved or declined. Those

                                                                                                             44
decisions are made by the information in the HCL, the APL and loaded onto the card. Once
    the transaction is complete, the card reader updates the benefits on the card. Some
    important differences to note about smart card transactions > Cashiers cannot enter the
    PAN# into the POS if it doesn’t work and participants cannot use self-checkouts. – CLICK
    NOW TO ADVANCE THE IMAGE
8. At the end of the day, the store sends a claim file to the EBT processor – CLICK NOW TO
    ADVANCE IMAGE
9. The EBT processor reconciles the claim against the lists and also allows only the maximum
    allowable price and then sends a reconciliation file to the store – CLICK NOW TO ADVANCE
    THE IMAGE
10. The EBT processor sends another reconciliation file to the WIC MIS to update the benefit
    balance and show redeemed benefits – CLICK NOW TO ADVANCE THE IMAGE

                                                                                               44
CLAIMS PROCESSING

                                                                                45

So a day has gone by and you’ve had your WIC customers come in with their
cards…how do you get that information back to the state? There are no checks to call
in or deposit with the eWIC card.

1. Every day, your system should pull all your sales together in a claim file. There is a
   requirement to submit them within four days but we are recommending every 24
   hours. If you wait to submit a claim file more than four days, you will not be paid
   for those transactions.
2. The system will send the claim file to the EBT processor.
3. Your system will also download the APL, the HCL and the Auto-Reconciliation File
   (ARF). The APL and HCL must be downloaded every 48 hours but we are
   recommending every 24 hours.
4. The EBT processor validates the claim file and sends an ARF back to you. The ARF
   contains information about what is being claimed vs. what is being paid. One of the
   major differences for you in this process is that if there are price adjustments, they
   will be done before the claim is paid not AFTER the check is deposited like before.
   This is where the APL and HCL become really important. If you accept a card that
   has been reported lost or stolen and you haven’t downloaded the HCL in at least 48
   hours, you will not be paid for that transaction. If you accepted a product that was

                                                                                            45
no longer on the APL and you haven’t downloaded the APL in at least 48 hours, you
   will not be paid for that product. The ARF tells you what is paid vs. what was
   requested in the claim file.
5. The next step is that the EBT processor requests payment from PA; once PA pays the
   processor, the processor will send the funds electronically to you. If you submit
   claims daily, you should receive payment within 2-3 days after successful
   submission.

                                                                                        45
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AND COMPETITIVE
    PRICES

       The Maximum Allowable Price is the most the WIC Program will pay
        a store for food purchased using an eWIC card

       The Competitive Price is the price WIC foods must be priced at or
        below, to be counted as minimum inventory

                                                                                 46

The Maximum Allowable Price is the most the WIC Program will pay a store for food
purchased using an eWIC card

The Competitive Price is the price WIC foods must be priced at or below, to be counted
as part of the minimum inventory

Prices are available on the vendor assistant site. If you have any questions, please
contact your local retail store coordinator.

                                                                                         46
MAPPING FRESH PRODUCE

        Make sure you are mapping your produce correctly. All produce
         should be mapped to the appropriate universal PLU.
        You should not submit fresh produce UPC’s to the APL.
        Banana’s need to be mapped to 4011. A bag of red delicious
         apples should be mapped to PLU 4015 or at least to red apples.
        A bag of plain lettuce would be mapped to the appropriate kind
         of lettuce, i.e. a bag of romaine would be mapped to 3097.

                                                                                47

Make sure you are mapping your produce correctly. All produce should be mapped to
the appropriate universal PLU.
You should not submit fresh produce UPC’s to the APL.
Some examples are: Banana’s need to be mapped to 4011. A bag of red delicious
apples should be mapped to PLU 4015 or at least to red apples.
A bag of plain lettuce would be mapped to the appropriate kind of lettuce, i.e. a bag of
romaine would be mapped to 3097.

                                                                                           47
eWIC TRANSACTION

                                                                                48

Here are some sample receipts. Your cash register receipts will look different, but the
general contents should be the same. All eWIC transactions need three receipts:
A beginning balance
A utilization receipt
An ending balance

The beginning balance shows the customer what’s on their card for the current month.
The utilization receipt shows what will come off of the WIC card after you’ve scanned
their items. You must provide this to the customer PRIOR to the customer approving
the WIC transaction. The participant should review this receipt to make sure that what
is coming off their card is correct and what they might be expected to pay is also
correct. Then they can approve the transaction.
The ending balance shows the customer what’s left on their card after today’s
purchase.

You MUST give participants ALL receipts!!

                                                                                          48
WHAT IF FOODS WON’T SCAN?

         The product may not be approved. Check the PA WIC Food List & Shopping
          Guide to determine if the item is approved by WIC.

                                                                                   49

What happens if a food doesn’t scan?

You may have a customer bring up a food item that doesn’t scan as WIC allowed. There
are a few reasons for this:

The product may not be approved. It might be something that they purchased before,
and by mistake, it was allowed. Check the PA WIC Food List or the WIC shopper app to
see if it’s allowed.

Here is a sample of the new cashier food list

(CLICK HERE)

                                                                                        49
WHAT IF FOODS WON’T SCAN?

        The Participant may not have the benefits left for the purchase.
         Check participant’s WIC Beginning Balance to see if the card has
         the benefits remaining for the purchase.
        If you have checked the above and it appears that the item
         should scan as WIC Approved, then reach out to a manager who
         can submit the item to the State Agency to evaluate if it should
         be added to the approved list.

                                                                               50

Another reason that a product might not scan as allowable is the customer may not
have the benefits available for the item. You can check the beginning balance or ask
the customer to check and show you.

If you have checked the customer’s beginning balance and it appears that the item
should scan as WIC Approved, then reach out to a manager who can submit the item to
the State Agency to evaluate if it should be added to the approved product list.

                                                                                       50
IF IT SHOULD SCAN…HERE’S HOW IT GOES

                                                                                 51

If the cashier thinks the item should be allowed, here is the process. Someone will
need to take a picture of the product – including the label, the UPC code, and the
ingredients. You’ll send an email and the pictures to PA WIC and it will be evaluated if
the item is allowed. If it is, then it will be added to the APL and then, after a short
delay, it will be available for purchase. You can submit new products thru the WIC
Shopper App but you can also submit it thru Vendor Assistant.

This process does take a few days. The customer cannot leave with the item if it
doesn’t scan. They will have to pick another brand or come back after a few days.

If there is an emergency, which would only be for infant formula issues, the process
might be able to be expedited. Call your Retail Store Coordinator if there is an
emergency.

                                                                                           51
If you do not have access to Vendor Assistant, you can submit an email with the
description of the product and the pictures to: pawicapl@pa.gov
And again, you can also send it through the WIC Shopper App in the “I couldn’t buy
this” icon.
POS CERTIFICATIONS

Point of Sale Certification

                                             53
CERTIFICATIONS

                                     There are 3 levels
                                     of certification for
                                      a vendor’s POS

                   Level 1                 Level 2                Level 3

                                                                                 54

There are three levels of certifications that all POS systems must go thru. We will
discuss each type of certification in the subsequent slides.

                                                                                      54
LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATION (L1)
         Conducted and supervised by the State Agency at the Developer or
         POS provider location. It is a certification of a system that is available
         “off the shelf” for WIC Vendors. This is required for integrated POS
         systems, such as those developed by IBM or NCR, as well as the
         approved Stand-beside POS terminals.

         Test scripts are executed.

         Any files exchanged tested.
            Claim file
            Auto-reconciliation file (ARF)
            HCL and APL files
                                                                                      55

L1 certification is conducted and supervised by the State Agency at the Developer or
POS provider location. It is a certification of a system that is available “off the shelf” for
WIC Vendors. This is required for integrated POS systems, such as those developed by
IBM or NCR, as well as the approved Stand-beside POS terminals.
The complete test scripts are executed.
Any files exchanged between the WIC State Agency , the EBT card Processor and the
WIC Vendor are also tested.
For smart card certification the files include the claim file, auto-reconciliation file (ARF),
Hot Card List and Authorized product list (APL) files

                                                                                                 55
LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATION (L2)
         Retailer specific certification of a system that is proprietary to the
          retailer. It may be a modification of a commercial system (Level 1) or
          developed exclusively by the retailer. These certifications are also
          conducted and supervised by the State Agency retailer location.

         Test scrips are executed.

         Any files exchanged tested.
            Claim file
            Auto-reconciliation file
            HCL and APL files
                                                                                     56

Level 2 is retailer specific certification of a system that is proprietary to the retailer. It
may be a modification of a commercial system (Level 1) or developed exclusively by the
retailer. These certifications are also conducted and supervised by the State Agency
retailer location.
The complete test scripts are executed.
Any files exchanged between the WIC State Agency or the EBT card issuer processor
and the WIC vendor are also tested.
For Smart Card certification the files include the claim file, ARF, HCL and APL files.

                                                                                                 56
LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATION (L3)
         A Test Buy Certification which refers to testing being done by the
          retailer in coordination with the WIC State Agency and involves a live
          purchase at the WIC vendor location to demonstrate the system is
          properly configured. The POS System being used is tested by
          executing a subset of the certification test scripts and providing
          receipts showing the results.

         Allows PA WIC to come into your store and verify that your are ready
          to conduct eWIC transactions.

         The representative will complete an eWIC purchase, PIN lock
          scenario, and balance inquiry.
                                                                                   57

Level 3 certifications or L3 is a Test Buy Certification which refers to testing being done
by the retailer in coordination with the WIC State Agency and involves a live purchase
at the WIC vendor location to demonstrate the system is properly configured. The POS
System being used is tested by executing a subset of the certification test scripts and
providing receipts showing the results.
This allows PA WIC to come into your store and verify that you are ready to conduct
eWIC transactions.
During the L3 certification , the representative will complete an eWIC purchase, PIN
lock scenario, and balance inquiry.

                                                                                              57
LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATIONS

        L3 certifications are required when:

           ➢A new store applies to become a PA vendor

           ➢Change of Ownership

           ➢Lapse in Authorization

           ➢If a store purchases a new POS (Point of Sale) system

           ➢The vendor made changes/upgrades to their original POS
                                                                     58

L3 certifications are required when:

➢A new store applies to become a PA vendor

➢A Change of Ownership

➢When there has been a Lapse in Authorization

➢If a store purchases a new POS (Point of Sale) system OR

➢If The vendor made changes/upgrades to their original POS

                                                                          58
L3 CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
               THE STATE AGENCY (SA)
         Requirements for the SA before they go on-site to
          perform the certification are:
          1. Store must have their PA WIC vendor ID
          2. FTP credentials have been set up between the store/contact and
              the State’s EBT processor (Solutran)
          3. Banking information needs to be in WIC’s system
          4. Must have an agreement with their POS provider
          5. Must have all their fresh produce mapped
                                                                               59

Requirements for the SA before they go on-site to perform the certification include:

  1.       Store must have their PA WIC vendor ID number

  2.       FTP credentials have been set up between the store/contact and Solutran
           (the state’s EBT processor)

  3.       Banking information needs to be in WIC’s system
  4.       Must have an agreement with their POS provider AND
  5.       Must have all their fresh produce mapped

                                                                                       59
L3 CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
                     THE VENDOR
          Requirements for the store to be ready before SA staff comes
           on-site to perform the certification are:

           ➢Have their equipment installed!!

           ➢Staff trained by either the stand beside company, corporate office
            or reseller.

           ➢Items mapped and/or inventory entered into their system by the
            appropriate store staff member.

           ➢Also need to have a maintenance contract or agreement for
            technical support for their POS.
                                                                                         60

Additional Requirements for the store to be ready before state agency staff comes on-
site to perform the certification are:
               Have their equipment installed, staff trained, items mapped and/or
inventory entered into their system.
               Stores also need to have a contract established with whoever they use
for their POS.

If it is an integrated system, you will need to have the new upgrade installed on the registers to
process eWIC. If it is a stand beside system, it has to be installed and the WIC inventory has to
be entered into the system.

                                                                                                     60
L3 CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR
                     THE VENDOR
      ➢Store personnel need to have the phone number available for the
      technical support person for their POS in the event of an issue.

      ➢A manager or staff person who has been trained on the POS equipment
      and with the eWIC process needs to be present for the certification.

      ➢In a perfect world, the L3 certification should take no more than 30
      minutes. However, this depends on the level of training and
      understanding by the store staff.

                                                                                      61

Store personnel need to have the phone number available for the technical support person for
their POS in the event of an issue.
A manager or staff person who has been trained on the POS equipment and with the eWIC
process needs to be present for the certification.
In a perfect world, the L3 certification should take no more than 30 minutes. However, this all
depends on the level of training and understanding of the store staff!

                                                                                                  61
CUSTOMER SERVICE

Next, we are going to look at customer service.

                                                  62
WIC CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES WITH eWIC

        Use WIC benefits only at WIC Authorized stores
        Use eWIC benefits within the correct timeframe
        Purchase only approved foods with WIC benefits
        Treat grocery store staff with courtesy
        Please report any problems to your local Retail Store Coordinator
        WIC customers are also encouraged to report problems

                                                                             63

The WIC customers responsibilities don’t really change with eWIC

•   They should be using WIC benefits only at WIC Authorized stores
•   Using eWIC benefits within the correct timeframe
•   Purchasing only approved foods with their WIC benefits
•   They should also be treating grocery store staff with courtesy
•   Please report any problems to your local Retail Store Coordinator
•   WIC customers are also encouraged to report problems with vendors

                                                                                  63
COMPLAINTS
         Call your Retail Store Coordinator (RSC) if you have a complaint about a WIC
          customer.

         Complaints should include the transaction date and time, receipt or last 4 digits
          of the PAN # and any other information you have obtained.

         WIC staff will contact the customer.

         WIC customers contact the WIC Office if they have a complaint about a store.

         Your RSC will contact your store about any problems.

                                                                                       64

If you receive a complaint about a WIC customer, contact your Retail Store Coordinator
(RSC)
Some of the information that will be needed is the transaction date and time, receipt or
last 4 digits of the PAN # and any other information you have obtained. WIC staff will
contact the customer.

WIC customers contact the WIC clinic if they have a complaint about a store. If the
retail store coordinator receives a complaint, they will reach out to you about the issue.

                                                                                              64
VENDOR RESPONSIBILITIES WITH eWIC

Vendor Responsibilities with eWIC

                                          65
eWIC VENDOR RESPONSIBILITIES

            Download the APL                     Have a WIC Retail
            and HCL every 48                     Store Handbook &
            hours                                State Regulations

            Submit claims daily;
            no more than four                    Display the red eWIC
            days after transaction               Window decal.

            Scan each food
            item/container                       Provide orientation
            carefully                            and training to staff.

                                                                               66

There are some new responsibilities for you – the three new items:

Download the APL and HCL at least every 48 hours; we recommend daily
Submit your claim files daily, or no later than 4 days after the transaction.
Scan each food item or container carefully to make sure you are not scanning an item
multiple times when the customer has only purchased one (i.e. scanning 10 jars of baby
food but the WIC customer only purchases five).

Have a WIC Retail Store Handbook and Pennsylvania state regulations on site.

Display the red eWIC decal.

And provide orientation and training to staff.

                                                                                         66
VENDOR RESPONSIBILITIES WITH eWIC
    PROVIDE & REVIEW SECTION 1105.3 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

                Provide only allowable foods
                to WIC customers.                           Have a copy of the
                                                            WIC food list
                                                            available at each
                                                            cash register that
                Formula must be purchased                   accepts eWIC.
                from a state approved source.
                The list is available on the
                Vendor Assistant Website

                                                            Send at least one
                                                            representative to
               Do not discriminate.                         annual training.

                                                                                 67

Additional responsibilities include:

Providing only allowable foods to the WIC customers
Formula must be purchased from a state approved source. The list is available on the
Vendor Assistant Website
Do Not Discriminate
Have a copy of the WIC food list at each cash register that accepts eWIC.
And send at least one representative to annual training. This year we will be providing
this powerpoint and/or recording which will count for your attendance.

                                                                                          67
eWIC VENDOR RESPONSIBILITIES
   CONTINUED
              Do not accept out of
              state eWIC cards or
              Farmer’s Market checks.

                                                    No Self-Checkout allowed
            WIC customers must be                   for WIC customers.
            permitted to participate
            in promotions.

             Do not offer incentives to
             WIC customers to use
             WIC benefits at your
             store. It’s not allowed!

                                                                               68

Vendor responsibilities also include

Not accepting out of state eWIC cards or farmers market checks.

WIC customers must be permitted to participate in promotions, such as buy one get
one free.

Do not offer incentives to WIC customers, this is not allowed.

WIC customers cannot use self-checkouts.

                                                                                    68
eWIC VENDOR RESPONSIBILITIES
   CONTINUED

             Make sure that store
             personnel know how to
             transact a benefit
             reversal!

                                                   If the card does not work,
                                                   the WIC customer should
                                                     return to the WIC clinic.

              Packs of Pediasure
              cannot be broken down.
              UPC is set at 6, not 1.

                                                                                 69

Lastly, Always have the phone number for reseller or technical support if there are
issues with something not scanning correctly, specifically when doing benefit reversals!

Remember, Packs of Pediasure should not be broken down.

If the card does not work the customer should return to the WIC clinic.

                                                                                           69
SANCTIONS

Sanctions

                        70
SANCTIONS : PARTICIPANTS

      Participants who abuse the program shall be subject to
       sanctions based on the severity of the violation
      Sanctions
       Education and Counseling
       Disqualification from the program for 1 year
         Reimburse WIC for purchases in violation

                                                                  71

Participants who abuse the program shall be subject to sanctions based on
the severity of the violation. That can include everything from education
counseling to disqualification from the program for 1 year. It could also
include reimbursement to the WIC program for the purchases in violation.
SANCTIONS: RETAIL STORES

        WIC may disqualify a WIC authorized store or impose a civil
         money penalty in lieu of disqualification for reasons of WIC
         program abuse

        Stores disqualified from WIC due to non-compliance may also be
         disqualified by Food Stamps (SNAP)

        Disqualifications range from up to year, 3 year, 6 year and
         permanent.
                                                                                72

Sanctions for retail stores, can include WIC disqualifying a WIC authorized store or
imposing a civil money penalty in lieu of disqualification for reasons of WIC program
abuse

Stores disqualified from WIC due to non-compliance may also be disqualified by Food
Stamps (SNAP)

Disqualifications can range from up to year to permanent disqualification.

_______________________________
Provide and review Section 1107.1
TYPES OF COMPLIANCE
                        MONITORING

Lastly, we are going to talk about types of compliance monitoring.

                                                                     73
TYPES OF COMPLIANCE MONITORING

                            Routine Monitoring Reviews

                             Compliance Investigations

                                    Inventory Audits
                                                                                74

There are several different types from routine monitoring reviews, compliance
investigations to inventory audits.

                                                                                     74
ROUTINE MONITORING REVIEWS
        Annually, monitoring reviews must be conducted on at least 5% of the
         number of stores that are WIC authorized
        Reviews are unannounced random reviews

       Other reasons WIC would do a monitoring review
          The State agency high risk identification system
          WIC customers report
            Food substitutions
            Insufficient amounts of WIC foods available

                                                                                75

Annually, monitoring reviews must be conducted on at least 5% of the
number of stores that are WIC authorized
These reviews are unannounced random reviews. One of the main things
that is being looked at is minimum inventory, stale dated items and that
items are at or below the competitive price.

Other reasons WIC would do a monitoring review could include
The State agency identifying the store as high-risk
A WIC customers report that food substitutions are being allowed OR that
there is Insufficient amounts of WIC foods available at the store.

                                                                                     75
COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATIONS

        Compliance investigations are conducted on stores
         that …
         • Are identified by the high risk identification system at the
          state level

         • Are new to the WIC program

         • Are selected randomly

         • Have WIC customer complaints

                                                                                 76

Compliance investigations are conducted on stores that …
       •Are identified by the high-risk identification system at the
       state level
       •Are new to the WIC program
       •Are selected randomly Or
       •Have WIC customer complaints

Compliance Investigations will start back up, but we just aren’t sure when at this time.

                                                                                           76
COMPLIANCE BUYS: THE SECRET SHOPPER
        Compliance buys are unannounced
        Compliance buys are anonymous
        Cashier procedures are evaluated and documented
        Two failed buys will result in mandatory training
        Three failed buys may result in disqualification
        Two consecutive passed buys result in the closing of the
         investigation

                                                                                    77

Compliance buys are unannounced and anonymous.
Cashier procedures are evaluated and documented
Two failed buys will result in mandatory training
Three failed buys may result in disqualification
Two consecutive passed buys result in the closing of the investigation

Disqualification only occurs when a violation is recorded prior to training being
provided and the same violation is repeated after training

                                                                                         77
INVENTORY AUDITS
     In order to remain compliant with the USDA’s mandate to investigate
      and close five percent of investigations, Inventory Audits have begun
      to be requested by state agency staff.
     An Inventory Audit is a comparison of the store’s inventory levels over
      a specific period of time, to the purchases during the same period of
      time, to determine if the store had a quantity of the allowable food
      available for sale during that time sufficient to support its claim for
      reimbursement for the sale of the allowable food.
     Sanctions will be administered for non-compliance which include
      disqualification or having a civil money penalty imposed.

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Lastly, inventory audits can be done. In order to remain compliant with the USDA’s
mandate to investigate and close five percent of investigations, Inventory Audits have
begun to be requested by state agency staff.
An Inventory Audit is a comparison of the store’s inventory levels over a specific period
of time, to the purchases during the same period of time. This is to determine if the
store had sufficient quantity of food available for sale to support its claim for
reimbursement.
Sanctions will be administered for non-compliance which include disqualification or
having a civil money penalty imposed.

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AVAILABLE RESOURCES

         www.pawic.com                                            PA WIC Hotline 1.800.WIC.WINS.

         WIC Vendor Help Desk 1.866.407.4370 or                   http://pa.wicvendor.com

          e-mail WICVendorHelp@state.pa.us

         https://wic.health.state.pa.us/vendorassistant

                                                Pennsylvania Department of Health
                                                          Bureau of WIC
                                                          625 Forster St.
                                                  7 West Health & Welfare Bldg.
                                                       Harrisburg, PA 17120
                                                       Phone 717.783.1289
                                                         Fax 717.705.0462
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Here are some available resources for you. The item on the right is an eWIC resource.
Pa.wicvendor.com is an informational website that’s specifically about eWIC.

If you have a question about your cash register equipment certification, you can also
contact pacertsupport@solisystems.com.

You should contact your cash register dealer or your IT department first; but this
resource can help them find out information about the certification process.

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YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

         Please make sure that your Retail Store Coordinator has your
          store’s updated contact information
         Please be sure to train everyone when you return to the store

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Please make sure that your Retail Store Coordinator has your store’s updated contact
information
AND Please be sure to train everyone at your store

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QUESTIONS

If you do have questions or need any materials that have been discussed, please reach
out to your local retail store coordinator

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Thank you and have a great day.

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