Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

WIC: Vendor Applicants Cash Register System Information

There are two different types of systems you can use for eWIC transactions. These are stand-beside and integrated.

If your store has an electronic cash register (ECR) point-of-sale (POS) system, you will most likely use an integrated system. You’ll need to arrange eWIC processing through your cash register provider and a third-party processor.

If you don’t have an ECR POS, you’ll need to use a stand-beside device. You’d also need this device if your system doesn’t support eWIC transactions.

Fidelity National Information Services Inc. (FIS) provides stand-beside system devices for WIC (The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). FIS is also the third-party processor for eWIC transactions. They serve everyone using the stand-beside devices. These devices can run both WIC and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) transactions.

If you are an authorized WIC vendor using a stand-beside device, you must use the FIS device for WIC and SNAP transactions.

FIS charges $82 per month per device. There is also a yearly $100 security fee. In addition, there is a transaction fee, as listed in the table below.

Monthly Transactions and Fees
Monthly Transactions Monthly Transaction Fees
Transactions 1-100 $11 flat fee
Transactions 101-500 $0.10 per swipe
Transactions 501-1,000 $0.07 per swipe

Transactions 1,001 and above

$0.05 per swipe

FIS Merchant Services provides the only certified stand-beside SNAP device that can run eWIC transactions. Do not buy any new equipment without making sure it is eWIC certified. You can verify this by calling the State WIC Office at 608-266-6912.

All cashiers should know how to use the stand-beside device and must be trained in how to do WIC transactions.

If a shopper asks for their balance, print a receipt that shows the available food balance.

You should also give each WIC customer a receipt at the time of their purchase, whether they ask for one or not. The receipt should include:

  • The date
  • Total price
  • Price of each item purchased
  • Remaining food items available to the WIC shopper

Our WIC program contracts with Custom Data Processing. Their job is to work with cash register resellers to make sure a store’s integrated system is certified and tested. Self-checkout lanes are certified separately and must be approved by WIC.

If you have any questions about ECR POS eWIC readiness, contact the State WIC Office at 608-266-6912.

You have to show that your cash register system or payment device is WIC EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) capable. The equipment must be able to:

  • Scan or enter WIC food UPC (Universal Product Code) and PLU (Price Lookup) codes.
  • Match UPC and PLU codes to the Approved Product List.
  • Determine if a shopper’s WIC food balance will cover the purchase.
  • Calculate the amount of the transaction.

Your system must do all this while also managing:

  • Both WIC and non-WIC items.
  • The sales tax for non-WIC items.
  • Any promotions or discounts.

All cashiers should know how to use the cash register system and must be trained in how to do WIC transactions.

If a shopper asks for their balance, print a receipt that shows the available food balance.

You should also give each WIC customer a receipt at the time of their purchase, whether they ask for one or not. The receipt should include:

  • The date
  • Total price
  • Price of each item purchased
  • Remaining food items available to the WIC shopper

Work with system resellers to map fresh produce so WIC shoppers can use all of their fruit and vegetable benefits.

To map produce, assign a universal PLU in your ECR to store-packed produce items or seasonal packaged items. For example, if a store wants to offer a package of fresh fruit for a reduced price, mark that package with a universal PLU of a like item. Another example, for fresh berries such as blueberries, assign a PLU for blueberries. Doing this lets a WIC shopper buy the store-packaged fruit with the WIC benefit.

There are two types of integrated systems you can use:

  • PC-based “out-of-the-box” systems
  • ECR POS systems

"Out of the Box" systems

FTS Solutions
Contact: Gerry Ramirez
Phone: 866-477-1741
Email: sales@ftssol.com
Website: www.ftssol.com
Upfront Software
Contact: Andy Beaudet or Jim Brown
Phone 207-712-0342 or 954-548-0277
Website: www.upfrontsoftware.com

Novo Dia Group
Phone: 888-312-2511
Website: www.novodiagroup.com/ebtonlysolution

These systems work with a third-party processor. The fees that go with those transactions are decided independently. To learn more about the costs and use of the systems, contact the processor directly.

ECR POS systems

North Country
Contact: Eric Wiltgen
Phone: 800-937-4140, ext. 11254 Or
Contact: Joe Nackers 
Phone: 920-284-2245
Website: www.ncbpinc.com
Retail Data Systems (RDS)
Contact: Bill Hughes
Phone: 262-896-2600
Website: www.rdspos.com

 

Last revised June 15, 2022