Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): WIC/Food Stamp Program (FSP) Vendor Disqualification

This final rule amends regulations governing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to mandate uniform sanctions across State agencies for the most serious WIC Program vendor violations. The implementation of these mandatory sanctions is intended to curb vendor-related fraud and abuse in the WIC Program and to promote WIC and FSP coordination in the disqualification of vendors and retailers who violate program rules. This rule also implements a mandate of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which requires the disqualification of WIC vendors who are disqualified from the FSP.