A. Selection criteria 

The Missouri WIC program has established criteria for selecting retailer applicants who may be authorized to transact WIC food benefits. Authorized retailers must meet all selection criteria throughout the agreement period and may be reassessed at any time during the agreement period. The Missouri WIC program will terminate the agreement if the retailer fails to comply with the current retailer selection criteria outlined in WIC retailer policy 2.2 Retailer Selection Criteria. The criteria below do not apply to pharmacy only retailers. 

Missouri WIC program selection criteria require retailers to meet the following conditions: 

• Provide a POS system capable of conducting WIC transactions. Refer to page 12 for the requirements for being designated WIC capable.
• Operate a full-service grocery store.
• Maintain authorization to accept SNAP. Retailers must not be disqualified from SNAP.
• Remain open at least six days per week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and post retailer hours.
• Maintain a minimum of 1,000 square feet of space allocated solely for food products, including WIC and non-WIC food.
• Meet the full-service selection criteria stocking requirements for authorized Missouri WIC retailers. See Appendix A.1 for full-service stocking requirements.
• Meet the minimum inventory stocking requirements for WIC-approved food. See Appendix A.2 and A.3 for stocking requirements.
• Purchase infant formula from an approved source listed on the WIC Retailer Distributor, Wholesaler and Manufacturer List.
• Derive no more than 50 percent of sales from selling WIC food.
• Demonstrate business integrity. The Missouri WIC program will not authorize any retailer if, during the last six years, they have been disqualified from a USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) program or if any of the retailer’s current owners, officers or managers have had a civil judgment entered against them for, or have been convicted of, any activity indicating a lack of business integrity. The Missouri WIC program shall determine which offenses apply.
• Have no conflict of interest. The retailer must be free of any conflict of interest between the retailer and the Missouri WIC program, or its contracted providers as defined by applicable state laws, regulations and policies.
• Demonstrate business stability. The retailer must be an established business that has been open to the public for at least one year in the current location or under new ownership in a location continuously open for at least one year or must own and operate at least one currently authorized WIC retailer business in good standing in Missouri.
• Meet pricing requirements. The pricing peer group shall determine whether a retailer meets the program's pricing requirements and whether authorized WIC retailers exceed the average peer group prices for the assigned peer group. Prices of all WIC-approved food must be posted on the shelves or on the products. 

B. Selection criteria to maintain authorization 

Missouri WIC program selection criteria require retailers to maintain the following conditions:

• Transact at least $3,600 in WIC sales revenue annually. Any retailer that fails to maintain the minimum sales may be terminated from the program and cannot reapply for authorization for one year from the agreement termination date. Note: Pharmacy only retailers are exempt from this requirement.
• Transact WIC sales without a lapse of 60 days or more. Any retailer without WIC sales activity for 60 days or more may be terminated from the program. Any retailer terminated from the WIC program due to WIC sales inactivity cannot reapply for authorization for one year from the agreement termination date. Note: Pharmacy only retailers are exempt from this requirement.
• Purchase infant formula from an approved source listed on the WIC Retailer Distributor, Wholesaler and Manufacturer List.
• Maintain a positive sanitation history, as evaluated by the Missouri WIC program’s current food establishment regulations (Missouri Food Code). 

The Missouri WIC program reserves the right to make exceptions to (i.e., waive) the retailer selection criteria to address inadequate participant access to authorized WIC retailers and sets the parameters for defining an inadequate participant access area. However, pricing and minimum WIC-approved food stocking requirements cannot be waived per federal regulations. For more information, refer to WIC retailer policy 2.5 Retailer Inadequate Participant Access. 

C. Adherence to WIC regulations

 Retailers who apply to be an authorized WIC retailer indicate their intent to comply with all WIC regulations as outlined in the Retailer Agreement, Retailer Manual and in 7 CFR 246.12. 

D. Inadequate participant access 

At the Missouri WIC program’s discretion, a retailer may be authorized outside the normal authorization process when a retailer is situated in an area of inadequate participant access to authorized WIC retailers. This may include instances in which a previously authorized Missouri WIC retailer changes ownership under circumstances that do not permit timely notification to the Missouri WIC program. The determination of inadequate participant access areas shall be made by and is solely at the discretion of the Missouri WIC program. 

If the Missouri WIC program determines that disqualification of a retailer from the WIC program due to disqualification from the SNAP program would result in inadequate participant access to authorized WIC retailers, the Missouri WIC program will assess a civil money penalty (CMP) in lieu of disqualification, as explained in the retailer violations section. A CMP will not be issued in lieu of a disqualification for a third or subsequent sanction. Disqualification from the Missouri WIC program due to disqualification from the SNAP program is not subject to administrative or judicial review under the WIC program. 

Situations causing inadequate participant access may be the result of, but are not limited to: 

• Disqualification of an authorized retailer.
• Change of ownership or location of an authorized retailer.
• Disaster or other cause resulting in the loss of, or access to, an authorized retailer. 

The Missouri WIC program may determine whether adequate participant access exists by reviewing criteria, including, but not limited to: 

• The number of authorized retailers available to serve participants in an area.
• Access to public transportation.
• Geographic barriers that make it difficult for a participant to access an authorized retailer. 

The Missouri WIC program may declare a situation of inadequate participant access to accommodate special populations (e.g., migrant workers and their families) and respond to sudden or unexpected population changes to address inadequate participant access. 

For more information, refer to WIC retailer policy 2.5 Retailer Inadequate Participant Access. 

E. EBT capability requirements 

Prior to accepting WIC benefit cards for purchases, retailers must implement a certified system that performs online WIC transactions in accordance with published rules, policies and specifications, including: 

• WIC EBT Operating Rules
• WIC EBT Technical Implementation Guide 

To ensure the integrated electronic cash register (ECR) system you own or plan to purchase is certified for WIC, contact: 

Custom Data Processing (CDP) 
Jim Chilcoat-Retailer Relationship Manager 
Office: 502-695-1999 or Cell: 859-779-5332 
Email: jim.chilcoat@cdpehs.com 

The following requirements must be met: 

• EBT capable systems
  • The retailer must demonstrate the capability to accept WIC benefits electronically (i.e., the retailer has an EBT capable register system) prior to authorization and comply with WIC operating rules, standards and technical requirements, such as those in the WIC EBT Technical Implementation Guide.
• Minimum transaction types
  • At a minimum, the system shall be able to process a balance inquiry (without requiring a purchase to be made), purchase and WIC void (benefit reversal) in compliance with 7 CFR 246.12(h)(3)(xxi) and 7 CFR 246.12(bb)(1).
• Liability
  • The retailer must accept liability for any redemption of WIC benefits 1) for which an approval has not been received from Missouri WIC and 2) for the incorrect redemption of benefits (e.g., providing an item not authorized by Missouri WIC or not available in the cardholder’s account).
• Approved Product List (APL)
  • The retailer must ensure that the most current Missouri APL is downloaded to the ERC system or stand-beside device.
• Receipts
  • The ERC system or stand-beside device must provide the WIC cardholder with a receipt which, at a minimum, shows the store name and address, the date of the transaction, product(s) purchased, price charged for each purchase, and the remaining balance of available benefits.
• Maintenance
  • The retailer must be capable of maintaining the certified ERC integrated system or stand-beside device in a manner necessary to ensure system availability for WIC processing during all hours the store is open for business.
• Personal identification number (PIN)
  • The retailer must ensure the WIC redemption process requires the WIC cardholder to use a PIN in a manner that protects the security of the PIN and in which no one other than the WIC cardholder will have knowledge of the PIN. 

F. WIC capable POS systems 

For WIC retailer authorization, a retailer applicant must demonstrate that their POS system can accurately and securely obtain WIC food balances, successfully complete WIC purchases and obtain the necessary file, the APL. For this situation, retailers with POS systems determined not to be WIC capable will be issued a stand-beside system. Authorized Missouri WIC retailers must comply with the WIC operating rules, standards and technical requirements established by the USDA and the Missouri WIC program. The Missouri WIC program shall not pay ongoing maintenance or operational costs for retailer systems and equipment used to support WIC EBT unless the retailer is needed to address inadequate participant access to authorized WIC retailers. 

a. Integrated POS systems

An integrated POS system can conduct mixed basket transactions. A mixed basket transaction includes WIC and non-WIC items and, therefore, requires more than one tender type. However, it does not require WIC customers to separate their WIC food from non-WIC food and non-food items. 

b. Stand-beside POS system

A stand-beside POS system cannot conduct mixed basket transactions. WIC customers shopping at authorized Missouri WIC retailers with a stand-beside POS system must separate their WIC food from non-WIC food and non-food items. It is important to know how to complete a WIC transaction. Missouri uses online technology (magnetic stripe), in which the card is swiped. 

c. EBT systems

Retailer staff or technical support must resolve any hardware or software problems related to WIC transactions. The Missouri WIC program is not responsible for servicing retailer equipment. 

Failure to take corrective action to ensure WIC transaction processing equipment is operational may result in a sanction. Retailers must download the APL at least every 48 hours to ensure they have the most up-to-date APL, which creates and updates a list of WIC-approved products in the retailer’s POS system. Failure to download a current APL may result in financial liability to the retailer in the following situations: 

• The WIC customer is allowed to purchase a food item that is no longer on the APL.
• The Missouri WIC program may require repayment from the retailer for payments already made to the retailer due to improperly transacted WIC purchases, such as unapproved food, non-WIC items or items with sales tax charged. 

G. Minimum lane requirements 

Retailers are required to have a minimum number of terminals installed based on the retailer’s monthly WIC redemption levels. The monthly WIC redemption levels used for the POS terminal installation formula shall be the average redemptions based on up to 12 months of prior redemption, per federal regulation 7 CFR 246.12(z)(2). 

Minimum lane coverage requirements and POS terminal deployment are as follows: 

a. Stores considered superstores or supermarkets 

At a minimum, terminals shall be installed for monthly WIC redemption threshold increments as follows: 

• One terminal for $0 to $11,000. 

• Two terminals for $11,001 to $22,000. 

• Three terminals for $22,001 to $33,000. 

• Four terminals for $33,001 and above. 

b. Stores not considered superstores or supermarkets 

At a minimum, terminals shall be installed for monthly WIC redemption threshold increments as follows: 

• One terminal for $0 to $8,000. 

• Two terminals for $8,001 to $16,000. 

• Three terminals for $16,001 to $24,000. 

• Four terminals for $24,001 and above.

H. Grocery stores with pharmacy additional requirements 

Grocery stores with pharmacies shall be expected to meet the full-service selection criteria stocking requirements and EBT capability requirements, as well as order WIC-approved formula through the pharmacy (as outlined in Section III). 

I. Pharmacy only retailers 

Pharmacy only retailers are authorized to provide WIC-approved formula that can only be ordered through a pharmacy, as identified in sections 2 and 4 of the WIC Retailer Food and Formula Reference Guide. Pharmacies are not authorized to sell any other types of WIC food items or infant formula that can be purchased through an authorized Missouri WIC retailer’s distributor or wholesaler, identified in sections 1 and 3 of the WIC Retailer Food and Formula Reference Guide. 

For more information, refer to WIC retailer policy 3.1 Pharmacy Only Retailers.