S.C. Extends Temporary WIC Benefit Increase Through September
Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 9:51PM COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Temporary benefits for participants in South Carolina's Women, Infants and Children program will be extended through September.
The state Department of Health and Environmental Control said Friday WIC's temporary increase of cash value benefits for fruit and vegetable purchases will now end Sept. 30. The temporary increase has been in effect since Oct. 1, 2021 and was set to expire March 31.
The increase will continue to be $24 per month for child participants; $43 for pregnant and postpartum participants and $47 for breastfeeding participants. Standard cash value benefits range from $9 to $11 per month.
President Joe Biden signed the funding package earlier this month authorizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to carry over the temporary increase.
DHEC's director of the WIC program, Barry Kelly, said, "We will continue doing our part in making sure eligible residents have access to healthy food and nutrition resources for their families.”
In South Carolina, over 600 businesses are authorized WIC retailers.
The WIC program helps to keep women, infants and children up to age five fed with proper nutrition, support and referrals to health care services.