USDA has temporarily suspended making payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), citing the regulatory review underway by the new Biden administration.
“In accordance with the White House memo, Regulatory Freeze Pending Review, USDA has suspended the processing and payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program,” USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced. “Additional Assistance and has halted implementation until further notice. FSA local offices will continue to accept applications during the evaluation period.”
The agency further noted, “In the coming days, USDA and the Biden Administration intend to take additional steps to bring relief and support to all parts of food and agriculture during the coronavirus pandemic, including by ensuring producers have access to the capital, risk management tools, disaster assistance, and other federal resources.”
In guidance issued to state and county offices, FSA advised that “some activities have been suspended during the transition between Administrations. This routine action was taken to provide an opportunity for the incoming Administration to understand and evaluate the features of CFAP, including recent statutory provisions included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.”
FSA said that the suspension of activity applies to “additional assistance under CFAP 1 and 2.”