As a member of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), we want to share their recent how-to blog for applying for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). 

Let us know about your experience with CFAP so we can inform the USDA, or contact us about other support you need. 

What is CFAP? 
CFAP provides direct aid (payments, not loans) to agricultural producers affected by price declines and additional marketing costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who is eligible and who may benefit? 
Aid is limited to specific crops and types of loss. The benefits of the program will vary significantly based on a producer’s scale, eligible crops, and price losses. The USDA CFAP website and NSAC blog provide details about eligible entities and products. 

How does CFAP work? 
The program is intended to compensate producers for both price drops and increased marketing costs. 

Documentation varies significantly by product. See both the CFAP website and NSAC blog for full crop-by-crop details. 

How are payments calculated? 
Payments will be calculated by commodity-specific formulas meant to account for both impacts, not a producer’s specific costs.

The formulas do not account for higher prices a producer might receive for organic certification, direct to consumer sales, value-added products (e.g. cheese), or production methods (e.g. grassfed beef). USDA has provided a payment calculator for producers to use to estimate their potential payment. 

How can I apply? 
The signup window is: May 26, 2020 – August 28, 2020.

• Step 1: Review the eligibility and documentation criteria to determine if you can and should apply. Use the USDA payment calculator to estimate your payment. 
• Step 2: If you have questions or need help, call the CFAP hotline (see below) with questions or your local FSA office for an appointment (even if you aren’t sure you will apply). 
• Step 3: Complete all forms and begin compiling necessary records. 
• Step 4: Work with your local FSA office prior to sending in your application to get it ready for final submission.

Where can I get help? 
CFAP Call Center hotline for one-on-one support with the application process: (877) 508-8364. 

Additional hotlines include Farm Aid: (800) 327-6243; ATTRA: (800) 346-9140 (English) or (800) 411-3222 (Español); and FLAG legal services: (877) 860-4349.