H.R. 6726 – WIC Benefit Flexibility During COVID–19 Act

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:05 PM UTC

The WIC Benefit Flexibility During COVID‑19 Act lets state agencies choose to raise the cash‑value voucher amount in certain WIC food packages up to $35 during the COVID‑19 public health emergency. The Secretary of Agriculture can approve the increase, and states must notify the Secretary to use the higher amount. The higher voucher value can be used from the notification date through September 30, 2020, after which the authority ends.

Key Provisions

The Secretary of Agriculture may increase the cash‑value voucher for qualified WIC food packages to a maximum of $35 during the COVID‑19 emergency.
A state agency can opt in by notifying the Secretary; it may then use the increased voucher amount, but it is not required to do so.
The increased voucher amount is available only from the date of the state's notification until September 30, 2020, and the authority to increase or use the higher amount expires on that date.
The provision applies to specific WIC food packages for children ages 1‑4, pregnant and partially breastfeeding women, postpartum women, and fully breastfeeding women.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Education and Workforce Committee

May 5, 2020

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 5, 2020

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Education and Workforce Committee

May 5, 2020

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 5, 2020

I

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6726

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 5, 2020

Ms. Schrier (for herself and Mr. Wright) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

A BILL

To provide a State option for certain cash-value voucher increases during the COVID–19 public health emergency, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the WIC Benefit Flexibility During COVID–19 Act.

2.

State option for cash-value voucher increases

(a)

In general

(1)

Authority to increase amount of cash-value voucher

During the COVID–19 public health emergency declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) and in response to challenges related to such public health emergency, the Secretary may increase the amount of a cash-value voucher under a qualified food package to an amount less than or equal to $35.

(2)

Application of increased amount of cash-value voucher to State agencies

(A)

Notification

An increase to the amount of a cash-value voucher under paragraph (1) shall apply to any State agency that notifies the Secretary of the intent to use such an increased amount, without further application.

(B)

Use of increased amount

A State agency that notifies the Secretary under subparagraph (A) may use or not use the increased amount described in such subparagraph during the period beginning on the date of the notification by the State agency under such subparagraph and ending September 30, 2020.

(3)

Application period

An increase to the amount of a cash-value voucher under paragraph (1) may only apply during the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this section and ending on September 30, 2020.

(4)

Sunset

The authority to make an increase to the amount of a cash-value voucher under paragraph (1) or to use such an increased amount under paragraph (2)(B) shall terminate on September 30, 2020.

(b)

Definitions

(1)

Cash-value voucher

The term cash-value voucher has the meaning given the term in section 246.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations.

(2)

Qualified food package

The term qualified food package means the following food packages under section 246.10(e) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations:

(A)

Food Package IV–Children 1 through 4 years.

(B)

Food Package V–Pregnant and partially (mostly) breastfeeding women.

(C)

Food Package VI–Postpartum women.

(D)

Food Package VII–Fully breastfeeding.

(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.

(4)

State agency

The term State agency has the meaning given the term in section 17(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b)).