# How WIC Payments Work How WIC differs from dollar-based payment methods: the voucher model, payment lifecycle, and straddle rules. This [WIC Integration Guide](/docs/wic-guide) is composed of three parts: \[ :point\_right: **How WIC Payments Work** | [Integrate WIC with Forage](/docs/wic-integration) | [WIC API Reference](/docs/wic-api-reference) ] *** ## How WIC Works WIC payment processing differs fundamentally from dollar-based payment methods. Understanding these differences before implementing helps you build the right mental model for the integration. ### Item Lists WIC has historically operated as a voucher program. Before electronic payment processing was common, WIC recipients received paper vouchers with a begin-use and an end-use date, a list of allowable items, and an associated quantity or maximum weight for each item. Notably, these vouchers did not include specific dollar amounts or spending limits that participants had to track; instead, they specified benefits in terms of item quantities. Modern EBT WIC is an electronic implementation of this voucher model. Because of the special nature of the voucher, WIC payment processing systems must support concepts and workflows that differ from those used for dollar-based payment methods like credit, debit, or EBT SNAP. For EBT background, see [EBT payments 101](https://docs.joinforage.app/docs/ebt-online-101). For example, split-tender does not apply to WIC-covered items, since the full cost of those items is covered by the voucher.

### Fruits and Vegetables WIC provides vouchers for fruits and vegetables in set dollar amounts. Split-tender payments are allowed for fruits and vegetables when the cost of the selected items exceeds the voucher amount. The "overage" in such split tender scenarios is not tax-exempt.

California WIC paper voucher for participant Isabelle Galvan showing $8.00 benefit for food item number 2006, referencing March 28, 2016 NAFL shopping guide for fruits and vegetables combo. Voucher displays identification number 231900713IG, account number 700-269534015, validity period June 20, 2017 to July 19, 2017, with "VOID" stamp and note that participant may pay amount over $8.00. Includes empty field for exact purchase price and authorized signature at purchase.

*** ## The WIC Payment Lifecycle WIC payments follow a structured lifecycle from catalog setup through post-delivery restrictions. Unlike card payments, WIC requires upfront eligibility verification, real-time benefit tracking, and strict post-transaction rules. The diagram below shows how each integration phase connects: ```mermaid flowchart TD A["Sync APL Data
(nightly)"]:::setup --> B["Display WIC Eligibility
— non Storefront"]:::setup B --> C["Verify PIN &
Retrieve Benefits"]:::session C --> D["Build Cart & Confirm
Benefit Usage"]:::session D --> E["Capture Payment
at Checkout"]:::payment E --> F{"Fulfillment
Changes?"}:::decision F -- "No" --> G["Deliver to
Customer"]:::delivery F -- "Yes" --> H["Refund / Substitute
Items"]:::payment H --> G G --> I["No Refunds After Delivery
(In-kind exchange only)"]:::warning classDef setup fill:#dbeafe,stroke:#2563eb,color:#1e3a5f classDef session fill:#e0e7ff,stroke:#4f46e5,color:#312e81 classDef payment fill:#d1fae5,stroke:#059669,color:#064e3b classDef decision fill:#fef3c7,stroke:#d97706,color:#78350f classDef delivery fill:#f3f4f6,stroke:#6b7280,color:#1f2937 classDef warning fill:#fee2e2,stroke:#dc2626,color:#7f1d1d ``` Key differences from card payments: * No authorization/capture split — Payment capture happens at checkout, not order fulfillment * Refunds must happen before delivery — After fulfillment, only in-kind substitutions are allowed (federal regulation) * Eligibility is prescriptive, not monetary — A participant's benefit balance is a set of item-specific quotas (e.g., 2 gallons of milk, 1 loaf of bread), not a dollar amount Each phase is described step by step in [Integrate WIC with Forage](./wic-integration). *** ## How WIC Straddle Rules Work Some agencies allow "sub-category straddle" (also called "broadband straddle"). This lets customers use their Broadband benefit (`subcategory: 000`) to purchase items when their specific subcategory benefit is insufficient or unavailable. **How straddle works:** * The system first looks for benefits matching the item's specific subcategory (e.g., `002` for 2% Milk). * If the specific subcategory balance is insufficient and the item is straddle-eligible, the system pulls from the Broadband subcategory (`000`) to cover the difference. ```mermaid flowchart TD A["Item in cart
(e.g., 2% Milk — subcategory 002)"]:::setup A --> B{"Specific subcategory
balance available?"}:::decision B -- Yes --> C["✅ Deduct from
specific subcategory
(e.g., 002 — 2% Milk)"]:::payment B -- No --> D{"Straddle enabled?
broadband_straddle_allowed = true
AND item straddle = true"}:::decision D -- Yes --> E["✅ Deduct from Broadband
subcategory (000)
receipt: subcategory_code '000'"]:::payment D -- No --> F["❌ Item declined
action_code 03"]:::warning classDef setup fill:#dbeafe,stroke:#2563eb,color:#1e3a5f classDef decision fill:#fef3c7,stroke:#d97706,color:#78350f classDef payment fill:#d1fae5,stroke:#059669,color:#064e3b classDef warning fill:#fee2e2,stroke:#dc2626,color:#7f1d1d ``` For example, a customer with no 2% Milk (`002`) benefit but with Broadband Milk (`000`) benefit can still purchase 2% Milk; the Broadband benefit covers it. No special handling is required on your end. You can identify that a straddle occurred by checking `receipt.prescription` for multiple decremented entries, one of which has `subcategory_code: "000"`. See [Capture Action Codes and Response Scenarios](./wic-api-reference#capture-action-codes-and-response-scenarios) for the straddle response example. For how Forage structures and delivers receipt data, see [receipt requirements](https://docs.joinforage.app/docs/receipts). Whether straddle is permitted for a given item depends on the agency (`broadband_straddle_allowed` in the `/api/program_details/` response) and the item's eligibility flag in the APL (`eligible_agencies[].straddle`).