DHS 149.05(8)(8) The vendor has not been sold by its previous owner to another vendor or owner in an attempt to circumvent a WIC sanction. The state WIC office may consider such factors as whether the previous owner sold the grocery store or pharmacy to a person who is related by blood or marriage to the previous owner or sold to any individual or organization for less than the grocery store or pharmacy’s fair market value.

DHS 149.05(9)(9) The vendor has no outstanding forfeitures, recoupment assessments, enforcement assessments, or civil money penalties that were levied against that vendor for a violation of this chapter, or for a violation of s. 253.06, Stats., or 7 CFR 246.

DHS 149.05(10)(10) The vendor is not an above-50-percent vendor at the time of the initial application for authorization to be a WIC vendor.

DHS 149.05(11)(11) The vendor’s maximum price for a standardized combination of foods is the same or less than the prices charged by other vendors in the vendor’s peer group.

DHS 149.05(12)(12) The vendor purchases infant formula provided to participants only from a supplier listed on the authorized infant formula provider list.

DHS 149.05(13)(13) The vendor has regular, established hours of operation which include a minimum of two 4-hour blocks of time on each of 5 days per week and daily operating hours are consistent from week to week.

DHS 149.05(14)(14) The vendor has not accepted WIC checks before becoming an authorized vendor.

DHS 149.05(15)(15) The vendor meets the minimum stock requirement on shelves or in coolers in the customer area, unless otherwise specified in the contract.

DHS 149.05 HistoryHistory: CR 07-115: cr. Register June 2008 No. 630, eff. 7-1-08; correction in (9) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register July 2011 No. 667.

DHS 149.06(1)(1) Only persons who meet the eligibility requirements under s. DHS 149.05 may apply for authorization. An eligible person who wishes to apply for authorization shall apply to the state WIC office on an application form obtained from the state WIC office. The person applying for initial authorization shall complete each application form fully and accurately; submit for each application a stock price survey indicating the non-sale prices of approved food available on the day the application is submitted to the state WIC office; participate in training as requested under sub. (2); and provide additional information requested from the state WIC office or the state WIC office designee. An application for authorization shall be submitted under each of the following circumstances:

DHS 149.06(1)(a)(a) Multiple locations. If a person wishes to accept and redeem WIC checks at multiple locations, a separate application shall be completed and submitted for each grocery store or pharmacy for which the person wishes to accept and redeem WIC checks.

DHS 149.06(1)(b)(b) Change of ownership. If a person takes ownership, whether by gift, purchase, or lease of an authorized vendor, the person taking ownership shall submit an application at least 15 days before change of ownership.

DHS 149.06(1)(c)(c) Change of vendor location. With the exception of s. DHS 149.08 (6), if the location of an authorized vendor is changed, the person responsible for the change shall complete an application for authorization for the new location. The vendor may not accept or redeem WIC checks at the new location until the vendor has received authorization from the state WIC office for the new location.

DHS 149.06(2)(2) As part of the application process, the vendor or its designee, for each location for which authorization is requested, shall participate in a training session at a time and location designated by the state WIC office or the state WIC office designee.

DHS 149.07(1)(1) Initial authorization. Within 60 days after receipt by the state WIC office of a fully and accurately completed application for initial authorization, state WIC office staff shall approve or deny the application after doing all of the following:

DHS 149.07(1)(b)(b) Conducting a preauthorization site visit if the applicant meets all of the application requirements and is eligible under ss. DHS 149.05 and 149.06 for authorization. During the preauthorization visit, staff of the state WIC office or the state WIC office designee shall determine whether all of the following requirements are being met:

DHS 149.07(1)(b)1.1. The vendor meets the minimum stock requirement on shelves or in coolers in the customer area, unless otherwise specified in the agreement.

DHS 149.07(1)(b)2.2. The vendor marks or affixes the prices of authorized food directly on food containers, on the shelves in close proximity to the food, or in the immediate area where the foods are kept in the customer area of the store.

DHS 149.07(1)(b)3.3. The vendor’s prices are substantially the same as those listed on the stock price survey submitted with the application for authorization.

DHS 149.07(1)(c)1.1. If all of the requirements of the preauthorization site visit are not met, the state WIC office may issue a corrective action plan. Following receipt of the corrective action plan, the vendor may submit information describing how the items in the correction action plan have been addressed and request a second preauthorization site visit.

DHS 149.07(1)(c)2.2. If the vendor passes the second preauthorization site visit, the state WIC office shall proceed with the authorization process for the vendor.