Colorado WIC Program Rights and Responsibilities

As a WIC participant, you have both responsibilities and rights. Please read the information below carefully.

Your Responsibilities

By taking part in WIC, I agree to:

  • Treat clinic staff and store employees with respect.
  • Give the clinic my current income and will notify them if it changes.
  • Keep my WIC appointments. If I'm unable to make one, I will do my best to call ahead to reschedule.
  • Contact the WIC clinic within 2 months after my benefits end, or I may be temporarily taken off the program.
  • Only get WIC benefits from one clinic at a time.
  • Never sell or try to sell my eWIC card, WIC foods, or breast pumps.
  • Not return WIC items for cash or store credit.
  • Not use or try to use an eWIC card or benefits that were reported lost or stolen.
  • Understand that if I give false information or misuse WIC benefits, I may have to pay money back or be removed from the
    program.
  • Make sure anyone using my eWIC card follows these same rules.

Program Information

  • WIC offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and connections to other services. I’m encouraged to take part.
  • I was given information and the opportunity to register to vote.
  • My WIC record may be seen by staff at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
  • I was asked if I allow WIC to share my information with my healthcare provider. My answer (yes or no) will not affect my
    WIC eligibility and is recorded in my file.
  • WIC respects my privacy. Information I give is used to verify if I qualify and to provide me with services. My information
    may be shared only with programs directly connected with WIC and for reports and audits as approved by the Colorado WIC
    Data Use Policy. Any other sharing of information must be approved by me with a signed or verbal consent.
  • WIC staff are mandatory reporters. They are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
  • I confirm I’ve been told about my rights and responsibilities. I have given truthful information and understand it may be
    checked. If I lie or hide facts to get WIC foods I’m not eligible for, I may have to pay back the value and could face legal
    action.

Your Rights

  • Everyone has the same rights in WIC. WIC does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
  • If I don’t agree with a decision about my WIC benefits, I can ask for a Fair Hearing within 60 days. Instructions are available
    by contacting the WIC clinic or at www.ColoradoWIC.gov.
  • I can file a complaint if I feel I’ve been treated unfairly.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices,
employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race,
color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public
assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program
or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact
USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made
available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found
online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and
provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-
9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue,
    SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email: [email protected].

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Download a PDF of Participant Rights and Responsibilities. 

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