WIC MOM Updates

The following changes have been made to MOM in the past 6 months.

11/2024

Clarification: Information System policies (MOM Chapter 9), previously available in draft form, were created and/or updated to support the new web-based information system (WINNIE). These policies are in final form and ready for implementation:

• Section 9.1: Introduction WIC Information System
• Section 9.2: Information System Hardware (PDF)
• Section 9.3: Information System Software (PDF)
• Section 9.4: Network, Browser, and User Access Security (PDF)
• Section 9.5: Equipment Inventory (PDF)
• Section 9.6: Electronic Communications Security (PDF)

10/2024 - Section 1.17: Emergency Actions 
Clarification: Addresses the ABFA waiver allowances and inclusion of Federal alternate operating procedure considerations; Outlines resources for Local Agencies to help with disaster planning, response, and recovery; Called the need to support breastfeeding in emergencies.

Section 5.7: Referrals
Clarification: Clarified the overall referral procedures for CPAs; Broadened criteria for high-risk medical referrals; Enhanced documentation requirements; Clarified procedures for child abuse/endangerment reporting.

Section 6.6: High Risk Individual Nutrition Care Plans 
Clarification: system assigned high risk designation can now be resolved during a certification.

Section 5.5: Change in Guardianship and or Foster Care Provision of WIC Services and , Section 8.5: Replacing WIC Cards
Clarification: deactivating the WIC card is no longer a standard practice, with this change, these policies have been updated to remove this as the first step when replacing WIC cards.

Exhibit 1-K: Rights and Responsibilities (Spanish)
Clarification:  correction made on Spanish translation of the Exhibit 1-K: Rights & Responsibilities under Uso de la información. 

9/2024 - Exhibit 1-K: Rights & Responsibilities
Clarification: updated the language in the Use of Information section to align with the Tennessen Warning.

8/2024 - Exhibit 2-C: Request to Increase Administrative Funds (RIAF)
Clarification: Directions were added about downloading the document.

6/2024 - Exhibit 5-A: Minnesota WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines
Clarification: Updated Income Eligibility Guidelines for MN Health Care Programs/Insurance Affordability Programs (Medical Assistance /Medicaid with 2024-2025 Income Eligibility Guidelines

Exhibit 5-C: Identification Requirements by WIC Contact Type
Clarification: New Exhibit created as a desk top reference to help local agencies determine acceptable forms of participant and proxy identification for each contact type (new certification, recertification, nutrition ed visit, etc.).

Section 5.2.3: Identity
Clarification: Updated policy to clarify ID requirements during the certification process. Added guidance for handling situations in which the parent/guardian or proxy lacks necessary identification. Added reference to new Exhibit 5-C. Requirements for verbal verification of identity have been strengthened. Additionally, Known to Staff and WIC Card are no longer acceptable forms of ID for an Authorized representative/proxy at any contact type.

Section 5.2.2: Residency, Section 5.2.4: Income, and Section 5.2.3: Identity
Clarification: revised definition of migrant farmworker families in waiver allowances and procedures in handling waivers.

• Section 5.2 Certification Procedures was updated with revised 5.2 sections.

Section 8.3: Issuing WIC Cards
Clarification: revised content to focus on initial MN WIC card issuance only. References to verbal verification of ID were removed from this policy. Added reference to Exhibit 5-C for acceptable forms of ID at this contact type. Clarified guidance regarding assisting participants in the Safe at Home program.

Section 8.4: Issuing Food Benefits
Clarification: emphasized the requirement to verify ID whenever issuing benefits. Removed references to verifying ID via the WIC card; the WIC card is no longer an acceptable proof of ID for mid-certifications, Nutrition Education visits, or benefit issuance. Added guidance for how to designate a proxy by phone.

Section 8.5: Replacing WIC Cards
Clarification: specified the requirement to obtain the primary card holder's signature upon issuing a WIC card. Added a reference to Exhibit 5-C for guidance on verifying ID.

4/2024 - Exhibit 5-A Minnesota WIC Income Eligibility Guidelines (PDF)
Clarification: Updated the Standard WIC income guidelines with 2024-2025 Income Eligibility Guidelines