H.R. 10550: Nutrition Continuity for Military Families Act of 2026

This bill would change how the Women, Infants, and Children program, or WIC, is handled for certain military families who are moving because of a permanent change of station.

What the bill would require the Department of Defense to do

The Secretary of Defense would have to notify certain service members that they may be eligible for WIC. This notice would need to be sent either:

• at least 30 days before the member’s required report date, if possible; or
• as soon as practicable after the permanent change-of-station orders are issued.

This notice requirement would apply to enlisted members who are moving and who also meet one of these family or service conditions:

• they have at least one dependent under age 5;
• they are pregnant or have a pregnant spouse;
• they are serving an initial enlistment term;
• they are in pay grade E-4 or below; or
• they have served less than 10 years and are in pay grades E-5 or E-6.

What the bill would change about WIC administration

The bill would amend the rules for how state WIC agencies treat certain active-duty military families. It would require state agencies to:

• issue a Verification of Certification card when a covered military member is certified or recertified in WIC;
• for a family undergoing a permanent change of station, treat the service member and family members as presumed eligible for WIC during the certification period that includes the move; and
• provide Verification of Certification cards that remain valid for that period.

It would also make existing federal rules on transferring certification apply to each family member in a household that includes a covered service member.

Military installation support

Within 180 days after the bill becomes law, the Department of Defense would have to ensure that each military installation has personnel available at least 3 days per week to provide information about WIC. This would include information about:

• the new notification requirement; and
• a reassessment requirement under WIC rules that would be added by this bill.

Practical effect

In plain terms, the bill is meant to make it easier for eligible military families, especially those with young children or pregnancy-related needs, to learn about WIC and keep their benefits when they move to a new duty station. It would also require more direct help at military bases and create a smoother transition between locations.

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