Groundbreaking WIC EBT Project Initiated in 2007 in Kentucky
In the spring of 2007, CDP began an exciting, 2-year partnership with the US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, the Kentucky WIC Program (Women, Infants & Children), and several area retailers to develop an online, WIC Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program. The new system, known as the WIC Direct System (formerly the OWE System), replaces the existing WIC paper food benefit process.
WIC Direct streamlines the WIC food instrument system for participants, retailers, and program staff through the use of modern, web-based technologies. Instead of paper benefit instruments, WIC participants use magnetic swipe cards in the checkout lane to obtain food benefits. The system improves in-lane flow at retail locations, provides better tracking of WIC benefit balances, and reduces paperwork for program staff. Additionally, the system expedites end-of day, electronic reconciliation and enhances reporting capabilities for retailers and WIC program staff on both the state and national levels.
“The primary goal of this project was to develop an affordable online WIC EBT system that states or WIC authorities can operate—either in-house or outsourced—within their NSA grant,” stated Stan Cochran, CEO, CDP, Inc. “Another goal of the project is to engage retailers to integrate WIC EBT capabilities directly into their existing cash register systems. After the successful completion of the pilot, the WIC Direct System will be implemented statewide, potentially serving 129,000 WIC participants and 1,142 certified retailers.” Cochran also noted that the Kentucky pilot has been underway for over two months. Read More...