{"data":{"id":"us-va/12vac5-195-370","jurisdiction":"us-va","citation":"12VAC5-195-370","heading":"Authorization exception decisions","body":"The state agency may make authorization exceptions to ensure that adequate access exists based on at least one of the following criteria:\n\n1. Provide reasonable access;\n\n2. Provide safe access due to a physical barrier or impediment including a multilane highway, river, bridge, or physical terrain (i.e., mountains);\n\n3. Provide  best pricing or a highly competitive alternative retailer location to eligible participants to purchase WIC-approved foods, when compared to other available retailers located within a given city  or county;\n\n4. Promote competition in a trade area previously identified as not having a price competitive authorized retailer location available;\n\n5. Improve customer service or remove an existing service barrier (i.e., language, cultural);\n\n6. Improve WIC customer access because the retailer is within a safe and reasonable walking distance and is located in close proximity to one or several low income housing units where WIC participants reside;\n\n7. The retailer's draw area is broader than the retailer's immediate trade area. The retailer's draw area includes cities and counties that cross geographical boundaries; or\n\n8. Expand access to WIC eligible foods that are purchased by a specific ethnic population.","path":["Title 12. Health","Agency 5. Department of Health","Chapter 195. Virginia WIC Program","Part III. Retailer Requirements"],"source_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title12/agency5/chapter195/section370/","current_through":"2026 Regular Session (effective July 1, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T04:50:01Z","sha256":"8f40864249d97eaa10ccffda89f9c133b065cf51dd4dd247de0e53a251cb4ef2","source_id":"us-va-vac","stale":false,"prev":"us-va/12vac5-195-360","next":"us-va/12vac5-195-390"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}