Wisconsin Ag Connection - Farmers Can Apply for COVID Food Assistance Program Online

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

Farmers Can Apply for COVID Food Assistance Program Online
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 07/20/2020

The USDA's Farm Service Agency will now accept applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, through an online portal, expanding the options available to producers to apply for this program, which helps offset price declines and additional marketing costs because of the coronavirus pandemic. FSA is also leveraging commercial document storage and e-signature solutions to enable producers to work with local service center staff to complete their applications from home.

"We are doing everything we can to serve our customers and make sure agricultural producers impacted by the pandemic can quickly and securely apply for this relief program," said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. "In addition to working with FSA staff through the phone, email and scheduled in-person appointments, we can now also take applications through the farmers.gov portal, which saves producers and our staff time."

Through the portal, producers with secure USDA login credentials--known as eAuthentication--can certify eligible commodities online, digitally sign applications and submit directly to the local USDA Service Center. Producers who do not have an eAuthentication account can learn more and begin the enrollment process at farmers.gov/sign-in. Currently, the digital application is only available to sole proprietors or single-member business entities.

New customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer general assistance.

Other Wisconsin Headlines