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 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:
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.
