The USDA, which oversees the program, awards $665 million in grants to qualified nonprofit groups, state agencies, and tribal institutions.
According to the USDA, these groups then provide stimulus payments to “eligible frontline farm, supermarket, and meatpacking workers” for COVID-19 outbreak-related costs.
New Federal Grants Could Provide Fresh Relief
To be eligible, a person must have worked in a recognized agricultural job from January 2020 to December 2022.
Entities who receive awards will subsequently make relief payments to frontline farmworkers and meatpacking workers who spent costs preparing for, preventing exposure to, and responding to the COVID-19 outbreak.
This program would provide a one-time direct relief payment of $600 to qualifying frontline farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers for expenses incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more: Social Security: Who could get $914 payments this March 25?
USDA Recommendation
USDA particularly encourages small organizations to collaborate or join with national organizations in submitting applications to ensure that this assistance reaches and is distributed to America’s farm and food workers as widely as possible.
(Agricultural Marketing Service) AMS will put aside up to $20 million of this total for one or more grant agreements benefiting grocery shop employees.
USDA AMS has collaborated with two groups, UFW Foundation, and Corazón Hispanic, to give technical assistance to applicants as they submit applications. The technical assistance providers are available to help identify grant preparation resources, potential partners, and key considerations when developing a competitive grant application and successful program. Bonus Checks are offered in Connecticut
Connecticut is giving $1,000 bonus cheques to key staff who worked during the pandemic’s height. Employees of the federal, state, and local governments are not eligible to receive the cash; only employees of the private sector are.
The direct deposit was chosen by around 120,000 clients, and their cash began to be processed on February 1st. In five to six weeks, the state will begin mailing out around 35,000 physical cheques.