Missouri WIC and Nutrition Services Retailer Manual

A. WIC acronym and logo 

Retailers are not authorized to use the WIC acronym or logo, or close replicas, in advertising and other promotional materials or in the retailer's name. 

Retailers who use the WIC acronym and/or WIC logo in an unauthorized manner will receive a sanction and be required to remove the WIC acronym and/or WIC logo. 

Retailers must obtain Missouri WIC program approval to use the WIC acronym or logo in their electronic tags or price tags. Please submit the WIC Retailer Request to Use WIC Acronym in Electronic Tags or Pricing TagsArchived form. 

For more information, refer to WIC retailer policy 2.11 Retailer Use of the WIC Acronym and Logo.

B. Reporting fraud and abuse 

If you encounter a WIC participant who you suspect is misusing WIC, please report this to the Missouri WIC program. Examples of actions to report include: 

• Return of items purchased with WIC.
• Verbal or physical abuse.
• Attempts to obtain cash or credit in a WIC transaction (e.g., returning to the store with a discount card after the transaction is complete). 

To report fraud or abuse, retailers should contact the Missouri WIC program with questions or to resolve initial problems. Reports of abuse and/or complaints should be made as soon as possible. Buying, selling or otherwise misusing WIC benefits is a crime. To report suspected fraud or abuse, complete the WIC Fraud and Abuse Form.

C. Payment disputes 

Retailers will be paid for all valid WIC transactions submitted to the Missouri WIC program. An authorized Missouri WIC retailer may dispute a reduced transaction payment; however, the Missouri WIC program does not guarantee that dispute requests will be approved. 

The Missouri WIC program must receive a dispute request within sixty days of the transaction date. 

The WIC Retailer Request for Additional Payment form must be requested from the Missouri WIC program and submitted to MOWICVendorGroup@health.mo.gov for payment consideration. 

Per federal regulation 7 CFR 246.12(k)(5), if the total value of transactions or claims disputed at one time exceeds $500, the Missouri WIC program must obtain approval from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Regional Office before executing payment.

If the retailer’s dispute is denied, the retailer will receive written notification explaining the reason for the denial.

D. Lost cards 

If a WIC customer leaves their WIC card in your store: 

• Call the Missouri WIC program at 573-751-6204 within the same business day to provide the card number for deactivation.
• Destroy the card immediately. 

Retaining WIC cards is a state violation.

E. Communications

Authorized Missouri WIC retailers and pharmacies must communicate with the Missouri WIC program if they have questions or need assistance. Retailers must provide current email addresses, phone numbers and mailing addresses. Retailers must also subscribe to receive emails through GovDelivery. For changes to contact information, complete the WIC Retailer Communication Form.

F. Conflict of interest 

Conflict of interest is prohibited between WIC and the retailer and between the local agency and the retailer. A conflict of interest exists when there is a monetary relationship between the retailer and the Missouri WIC program or the local agency. Additionally, a conflict of interest also exists when relatives serve WIC participants. Missouri WIC shall terminate the Retailer Agreement if it identifies a conflict of interest between the retailer and the Missouri WIC program or a local agency.

G. Retailer complaints 

A retailer may submit a Retailer Concern Form with any problems, concerns or suggestions to the Missouri WIC program or the local agency. 

For more information, refer to WIC retailer policy 5.8 Retailer Complaints.