Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

...a customer attempts to buy unauthorized foods or food in an incorrect package size?

1. Explain that the WIC Program requres that only authorized foods (Refer the customer to the WIC Approved Foods List) in the sizes listed on the check can be purchased.
2. Explain that your store could be penalized for selling unauthorized foods in incorrect package sizes.
3. Offer to help the shopper choose the correct foods in the correct sizes.

...a WIC shopper gets upset or angry with me?

1. No matter what you do, keep your cool! Remember, you are a professional and often deal with unhappy customers. Remain calm and explain the situation politely. Often you will find that this will "diffuse" an angry customer.
2. If this does not work call your manager for support. That's his/her job.
3. Call WIC Vendor Unit and we will discuss the situation with the WIC participant.

...the customer does not have his/her ID Folder?

1. Explain that you cannot complete the transaction without the ID Folder.
2. Explain that this is to protect the WIC shopper from checks that have become lost or stolen.
3. Refer the WIC shopper to his/her local WIC agency.
   

...a customer attempts to use a WIC check that has already been signed?

1. Explain that the store can only accept checks that are signed at the register. This protects the customer in case the WIC checks have been lost or stolen.
2. They can go to their local WIC agency and request a reissue of those checks.

...the store is out of stock for the lowest price milk?

1. Charge the price of the lowest price milk you can serve shopper with another milk brand.  It is store’s responsibility to keep minimum inventor

...I need to replace WIC Vendor Stamp?

1. Call the WIC Vendor Unit to request a replacement or contact us by email at WICVendorSupport@health.ri.gov with name, address and vendor stamp information.

....there is an increase in price?

1. Call the WIC Vendor Unit and submit the new prices.

...a WIC shopper wants to use manufacturer or store coupons, and/or Store “Loyalty Cards”?

1. Shopper will be encouraged to use any coupon, loyalty card and/or discounts.
2. Post the price, after the discount, on the check.
3. No money back to shopper is allowed.

...special discounts like “buy one get one free” or any other free item discounts, makes the total amount of item over the allowed items, or free item is not WIC approved item?

1. WIC Shoppers are entitled to any FREE offers that are offered to regular store customers even though this is over the WIC check amount.

...I receive a returned check?

1. Refer to Vendor Policies page 39. For further information, contact the WIC Vendor Unit.