The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, commonly known as the WIC program,  helps low-income families buy healthy foods  Georgia is one of the last states in the nation to switch from the old paper vouchers to electronic purchasing cards.

The USDA, which oversees the WIC program, issued a mandate in 2020 requiring states to offer the program with electronic purchasing cards.  Georgia was not prepared at the time and has taken almost two years to catch up with the rest of the nation.

With electronic WIC cards, program participants will be able to check their benefits balance online and use the card to purchase WIC approved foods for themselves and other participants in their family, such as children and infants.

Around 200,000 women take advantage of the WIC program in Georgia.  State officials say that all WIC participants should have their new electronic purchasing cards by the end of October.