SECTION 31.23. Recipients of Supplemental Food Benefits

(a) Regardless of their age, pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum participants may be designated as recipients of supplemental food benefits for themselves and/or their infants and/or children.

(b) Regardless of their age, parents, guardians, caretakers, or foster parents of infant and/or child participants may be designated as recipients of supplemental food benefits for their infants and/or children.

(c) Caretakers of a participant may be designated as recipients of supplemental food benefits for the participant if the caretakers are at least 18 years of age or older.

(d) A proxy who is 16 years of age or older may be designated in writing by a WIC Program participant, or parent, caretaker, guardian of a participant, or a foster parent to act as the supplemental food benefit recipient. Each time a proxy is designated to act as the recipient, such designation shall be provided in writing to the local agency, and the proxy shall provide identification for himself or herself and present the participant's WIC Program family identification card.

(e) Proxies of participants residing in a homeless facility, temporary shelter, or institution may pick up and redeem supplemental food benefits for all WIC Program participants in their respective homeless facilities, temporary shelters, or institutions. The state and local agencies shall ensure that adult participants are allowed to participate in the process of picking up and transacting food instruments to the greatest extent possible, within the institutional framework, so that they are aware of the foods prescribed for them as well as the intended benefits of such foods.

(f) Recipients of supplemental food benefits shall sign the WIC Program Supplemental Information Form prior to receiving such benefits.

(g) Recipients of supplemental food benefits shall provide identification at each issuance of food benefits.

(h) Recipients of supplemental food benefits shall receive their benefits at the same time as they receive notification of eligibility for participation in the program.

Source Note: The provisions of this §31.23 adopted to be effective August 5, 2001, 26 TexReg 5642; amended to be effective June 4, 2006, 31 TexReg 4428