Eric: How I’m doing so far?

Vanessa: I’m pretty clear, but I still have a couple of questions. What if they have coupons or frequent shopper cards, can they use those?

Eric: Great question. They can definitely use coupons just as they would as part of a normal shopping experience. The only exception is participants can’t use coupons when buying infant formula. In general, WIC encourages their participants to take advantage of coupons, specials and store discount cards with their WIC purchases. However, Above 50% Vendors are excluded from accepting or taking coupons, giving free items or incentive items or other special promotions. Your supervisor will let you know if the store is an Above 50% Vendor. Oh and one more thing, All WIC Vendors are prohibited from offering incentive items solely to WIC customers to encourage them to shop at your store.

Vanessa: What about something like our in-store promotions?

Eric: They can also use in-store promotions, manufacturer promotions (like free additional ounces) and they can even use buy-one-get-one-free items as long as the first item is WIC approved. They can get the free item even if it is not an authorized WIC food. Remember, any free item or ‘free additional ounces’ doesn’t count against the maximum on the food instrument.

When they use coupons or discounts, it shows up as a deduction on the receipt, just like a regular purchase using coupons. It’s important to remember that even though WIC customers can use coupons, they can’t get cash back for the transaction.