OAR 333-054-0052: Suspension of Vendor Agreements

(1) Notwithstanding any other rule in this division, WIC program benefits are suspended and all vendor agreements are suspended if there is a government or WIC program closure or if the government does not provide WIC funding. A suspension shall remain in effect until such time as funding is approved or as soon as the closure ends and only to the extent benefit issuance to participants is approved by the federal government. (2) Suspensions apply to all WIC-authorized vendors, including farmers transacting cash value benefits. Suspensions do not apply to WIC-authorized farmers transacting Farm Direct Nutrition Program checks. (3) Notice of suspensions shall be made by both electronic mail and United States Postal Service mail to all WIC-authorized vendors and farmers and shall include the suspension effective date. Notice of suspensions will be delivered with as much notice as possible. As soon as funding is restored or as soon as the closure has ended, the Authority shall notify vendors and farmers of the date that a suspension is lifted. (4) Vendors and farmers shall not accept WIC food instruments, shall not provide food benefits and shall not deposit WIC food instruments for payment during a suspension. (5) WIC-authorized vendors and farmers who disagree with a suspension are not entitled to a contested case hearing but may challenge a suspension through a rule challenge under ORS 183.335 or 183.400.