USDA is providing critical support to our nation’s 

farmers and ranchers through the Coronavirus 

Food Assistance Program (CFAP). CFAP provides 

vital financial assistance to producers of 

agricultural commodities with financial assistance 

that gives them the ability to absorb sales losses 

and increased marketing costs associated with the 

COVID-19 pandemic. 

Overview

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability Act 

(CARES Act) and the Commodity Credit Corporation 

(CCC) Charter Act authorized the funds for the CFAP. 

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Agricutural 

Marketing Service (AMS) administer the program.

FSA is accepting applications for CFAP from 

May 26, 2020, to August 28, 2020.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible producers (person or legal entity) of specified 

agricultural commodities who have suffered a five 

percent-or-greater price decline as a result of the 

COVID-19 pandemic, and who face substantial 

marketing costs for inventories are eligible for CFAP 

payments. These specified commodities include certain 

specialty crops, non-specialty crops, wool, dairy, and 

livestock. 

For a list of eligible commodities and payment criteria, 

visit farmers.gov/cfap.

United States

Department of

Agriculture

CORONAVIRUS FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

FARM SERVICE AGENCY

FACT SHEET - JUNE 24, 2020

USDA may reconsider excluded commodities if credible 

evidence is provided. More information about request 

for consideration of additional commodities can be 

found at farmers.gov/cfap.

Producers may have some commodities that are 

currently eligible for CFAP while others are not. 

Producers are encouraged to apply for CFAP now for 

their eligible commodities. If a commodity is added to 

the program, producers will have an opportunity to 

amend their application.

To be eligible for payments, a person or legal entity 

must either:

• have an average adjusted gross income of less than 

$900,000 for tax years 2016, 2017, and 2018; or 

• derive at least 75 percent of their adjusted gross 

income from farming, ranching, or forestry.

Persons and legal entities also must:

• comply with the provisions of the “Highly Erodible 

Land and Wetland Conservation” regulations, often 

called the conservation compliance provisions;

• if a foreign person, provides land, capital, and a 

substantial amount of active personal labor to the 

farming operation; and

• not have a controlled substance violation.

Payment Limitation

CFAP payments are subject to a per person and legal 

entity payment limitation of $250,000. This limitation 

applies to the total amount of CFAP payments for all 

eligible commodities.
CORONAVIRUS FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 2

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Unlike other FSA programs, special payment limitation 

rules apply to participants that are corporations, 

limited liability companies, and limited partnerships 

(corporate entities). These corporate entities may 

receive up to $750,000 based upon the number of 

shareholders (not to exceed three shareholders) who 

are contributing at least 400 hours of active personal 

labor or active personal management. 

For a corporate entity:

• With one such shareholder, the payment limit for 

the entity is $250,000;

• With two such shareholders, the payment limit 

for the entity is $500,000 if at least two members 

contribute at least 400 hours of active personal 

labor or active personal management, or 

combination thereof, with respect to the operation 

of the corporate entity; and 

• With three such shareholders, the limit is $750,000 

if at least three members contribute at least 400 

hours of active personal labor or active personal 

management, or combination thereof, with respect 

to the operation of the corporate entity. 

Payment Structure

To ensure the availability of funding throughout the 

application period, producers will receive 80 percent 

of their maximum total payment upon approval of the 

application. The remaining portion of the payment, not 

to exceed the payment limit, will be paid at a later date 

as funds remain available.

Where to File the Application

FSA staff at your local USDA Service Center will work 

with producers to file applications. Applications may be 

submitted via mail, fax, hand delivery, or via electronic 

means. Please call your office prior to sending 

applications electronically.

The CFAP application and associated forms are 

available online at farmers.gov/cfap. 

More Information

This fact sheet is for informational purposes only; other 

restrictions may apply. For more information about the 

CFAP program, visit farmers.gov/cfap or contact your 

local FSA office.

To find your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/cfap.