The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that gives direct payments to farmers affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Some recent changes to the program include expanded eligibility to contract producers, such as contract poultry producers. The USDA has extended the CFAP application deadline to February 26 to allow newly eligible farmers to apply. There is also the opportunity for farmers to amend previous CFAP applications. For a full description of the recent changes, check out this guide from Farmers’ Legal Action Group.
Contract Producers
Unlike the first two rounds of CFAP, contract producers are now eligible to apply. To be eligible, growers must:
- Have raised broilers, pullets, layers, chicken eggs, turkeys, hogs, or pigs under a contract in 2019 and 2020.
- Demonstrate a drop in revenue for the period from January 1, 2020, through December 27, 2020, as compared to the period from January 1, 2019, through December 27, 2019.
- Provide a copy of their contract.
The amount of a CFAP payment is based on eligible revenue for January 1, 2019, through December 27, 2019, minus eligible revenue for January 1, 2020, through December 27, 2020, multiplied by up to 80 percent.
Applications will be accepted through February 26. Visit www.farmers.gov/cfap or contact your local USDA service center to apply.
NOTE: While there is a temporary suspension of CFAP payments due to an administrative review, farmers are still encouraged and allowed to submit their applications before the February 26th deadline. Once the program resumes, applications will be processed for approval and payment.