Feb 26, 2021
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program application deadline extended

USDA announced it has extended the deadline to apply for the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The original deadline was Feb. 26. But according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the new deadline will extend 30 days after USDA completes a review of the program.

“The review of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) is ongoing and we anticipate a decision in the weeks ahead,” USDA announced. “Payments under the CFAP 2 signup that ended December have not been impacted in any way. The deadline of February 26 has been eliminated and USDA’s Farm Service Agency will continue to accept applications during the evaluation period. Interested applicants will have at least an additional 30 days to sign up after any decision is announced.”

On the first day of the Biden-Harris administration, USDA suspended the processing of payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program – Additional Assistance and halted implementation in order to evaluate the program.

The review of the program is ongoing, and USDA anticipates a decision in the weeks ahead. The deadline of Feb. 26 has been eliminated, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will continue to accept applications during the evaluation period. Interested applicants will have at least an additional 30 days for producers to sign up after any decision is announced.

Payments under CFAP-2, which closed in December, have not been impacted in any way.

“USDA remains focused on helping producers who have been hurt by COVID-19 market disruptions, trade disputes and extreme weather,” the announcement said. “A number of stakeholders have reached out to identify gaps in the previous rounds of assistance and USDA welcomes this input during the evaluation period. USDA is listening and gathering feedback in order to provide help to as many producers as possible without focusing on one group or geography at the expense of another.”