and last updated 5:39 PM, Oct 05, 2020. New COVID stimulus checks are coming to some US workers. "Frontline workers made immense sacrifices to keep our state functioning during the pandemic," said Comptroller Natalie Braswell. The Grocery Worker's Relief Fund will be available to anyone currently employed by a grocery store. Vilsack acknowledged that the $20 million set aside for grocery workers is probably not large enough to cover all grocery workers and that most of the funding will benefit farm and meatpacking workers. Additionally, the COVID-19 Congress relief packages failed to provide pandemic assistance to millions of undocumented persons, many of whom pay taxes through Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers. Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program will provide up to $200 million in assistance for specialty crop producers who incur eligible on-farm food safety program expenses to obtain or renew a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 or 2023. Eligibility criteria includes proof of employment at a grocery store (paystub, etc.) Call 211 to find agencies and community organizations that can assist you with finding food in an emergency. The department set aside a whopping $700million in grant funding for the program. As the health risks and financial constraints continue to impact front-line workers, the new grant program aims to ease pandemic-related costs for farm and food workers. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters on a media call on . For more information about upcoming webinars, grant eligibility, and program requirements, visit the FFWR webpage or contact us atFFWRGrants@usda.gov. Read our stimulus checks live blog for the latest updates on Covid-19 relief Americans who worked in grocery stores as Covid-19 raged in the US could also see payments. For grocery workers, the pandemic has not only brought the threat of the virus but also posed new safety issues, like violence erupting over mask mandates. Kroger and Albertsons merger: What lies ahead? United Way is honored to partner with Kendall-Jackson to recognize and support our grocery workers everywhere. Please fill out the following application if you believe you meet the necessary criteria for Southern Smoke's Emergency Relief Fund. To claim the credit, individuals will need to know the total amount of their third round of economic impact payment. United Way Center to Combat Human Trafficking. The Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program provides financial support to eligible entities (i.e., State agencies, Tribal entities, and non-profit organizations) to deliver relief in the form of $600 flat-rate payments to eligible farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and grocery store workers who incurred expenses preparing for preventing . Every day, grocery workers help our communities. The grant requires applicants to show connectedness to hard-to-reach worker populations either directly or in partnerships with other local organizations. Vilsack said it could take as much as two years for all the money to be doled out. Your information will be processed, and a one-time prepaid card for $600 will be shipped to you within 10-15 business days following the approval of your application. Walker Inc.</td> which ranged from health care and child care workers to grocery clerks and gas-station employees . Registration details will be shared via stakeholder notice and on the FFWR webpage at www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/ffwr. WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it is accepting applications for the new Farm and Food Workers Relief grant program first announced on Sept. 7, 2021. The agency said the funds for grocery store workers aim to recognize their essential role and offset costs incurred. They areCIERTO,Michigan Immigrant Rights Center,Farmworker Legal Services,Bienestar Oregon,Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN),United Farm Workers (UFW),Farmworker Association of Florida,North Carolina Focus on Increasing Education Leadership and Dignity (NC FIELD),Centro De Servicios Para Campesinos. Of the $665 million, $20 million is set aside for at least one pilot program to support grocery workers in recognition of their essential role. Please review the activation instructions attached to your prepaid card. <tr> Kendall-Jackson has pledged$2 million to the Grocery Workers Appreciation Fund, administered by United Way Worldwide, through August 2030. APH plans to begin disbursing the money in the Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) fund by April 20, in time to help people pay . You can only apply once; additional . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Floridais set to issue $1,000 stimulus checks to 174,000 first responders and 180,000 educators to thank them for their service during the pandemic. A dearth of workers willing to join the workforce has left goods-laden ships stranded in ports across the US. Funds were distributed through a network of 14 community-based organizations with deep relationships and strong community trust. To get a payment, you must claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on yourtax return. <table width="100%"> Will other grocers follow suit? This application is fairly lengthy and . TheChange.org petitionlaunched last year by restaurant owner Stephanie Bonin saw a surge in signatures in recent weeks, topping 2.903 million as of Thursday. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure youre on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browsers address (or location) bar. Latest Programs and Updates Office of Recovery Programs Self-Service Resources The Office of Recovery Programs is providing self-resources to assist recipients of awards from its programs with questions about reporting, technical issues, eligible uses of funds, or other items. Grocery store, farm, and meatpacking workers will be entitled to $600. Can I apply more than once? Once you complete your application and submit your required documents, a UFW Foundation team member will review your application and the documents you provided. <td>Papa Joes Gourmet Market</td> To apply or donate to the fund, click here. Wendy's to give out free food every Friday next month - how to get it, Suze Orman reveals how savers can win $10,000 - but you'll need to be quick, The $28,000 Social Security 'bonus' claimants overlook - how to get it, Child tax credit 2021 update - Families to receive at least $300 if they register for relief funds in the next five days, calls for a fourth stimulus payment ramp up. Additionally, unlike other workers, at the federal level, farm workers do not qualify for overtime pay, typically receive low wages, and experience poor working conditions. Eligible entities must demonstrate the capacity to reimburse farmworkers and meatpacking workers for up to $600 for expenses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will host a webinar for interested applicants on Nov. 17, 2021. Grants cover basic needs like groceries and rent while people recover from illness, injury, natural disaster, death in the family, and more. <td> Fedway Associates</td> "Grocery workers are an essential part of Kendall-Jackson's success. Who received funds? The program will provide $665 million to fund competitive grant applications to provide relief to farmworkers and meatpacking workers who incurred pandemic-related health and safety costs. Some had to take unpaid medical leave, whether it was to get vaccinated, whether it was to quarantine after coming in contact with somebody with the virus or perhaps it was because a family member or themselves actually got sick, Vilsack said. An official website of the United States government. The San Francisco VA Healthcare System is hiring temporary food service workers. Service providers speak English, Spanish, and other Indigenous languages, such as Mixteco. You can also read about us on the USDA blog. Housekeeping, laundry services, food services, and waste management personnel in hospitals and healthcare facilities. What you should do. The fund is administered by United Way Worldwide and provides emergency support to grocery workers to ease their . This FFWR relief is intended to defray costs for reasonable and necessary personal, family, or living expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as costs for personal protective equipment (PPE), dependent care, and expenses associated with quarantines and testing related to the COVID-19 pandemic. <td>UnitedHealthcare</td> Individuals will only be eligible to receive a gift card once every 365 days. The workers hardest hit will be in the food and hospitality industries. The $600 stimulus checks to cover "expenses" and Covid costs are part of the Farm and Food Workers program announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture earlier this month. </tr> ET, Nearly three in four consumers plan to keep buying private label when the economy settles, survey says, Save Mart unveils robotic grocery-picking facility. You can visitUnitedway.org/groceryreliefto apply to receive relief funds, beginning October 1, 2020. Nearly all of Worker Relief Fund recipients were people of coloraround 95 percent. The . The proclamation requires certain food production employers to pay leave for workers who may or do have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and is meant to complement the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). In an effort to retain and attract workers, especially during the labor shortage, the grocery industry has increased wages, bonuses and other benefits. According to the website, eligible grocery store workers can receive up to $250 in the form of a cash card. Since the pandemic started, at least 198 grocery workers have died and at least 43,900 have been infected or exposed to COVID-19, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union,which represents 1.3 million employees in meatpacking plants, grocery stores and other frontline industries. You are also welcome to re-apply for the program again on the first day of the following month to be considered for assistance. PUBLISHED ON . The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time. </table> We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. The USDA Farm and Food Workers Relief Programprovide much-needed relief to farm workers affected by the pandemic. They might be in a domestic violence situation or have very serious mental health issues.. The Request for Application will be open for 90 days. Extra $13 per hour, or $25,000. Of the $665 million, $20 million is set aside for at least one pilot program to support grocery workers in recognition of their essential role. Treasury has allocated $4.8 billion to the state of Georgia. Recipient may use thegift card as cash anywhere that major credit cards are accepted and should use funds to alleviate financial strain caused by COVID-19 as described in the application. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Scammers are targeting people whose loved ones have died from COVID-19. Eligible recipients will receive funds in the form of a $250 cash card that can be used as cash anywhere major credit cards are accepted. "But much more must be done in support of all meatpacking and grocery workers nationwide.". American Rescue Plan Six Month In total, the Treasury . Agencies will apply for the grants this fall and must demonstrate the capability to distributed stimulus checks up to $600 to eligible workers. United Way says housing insecurity is one of the top . low-income households, and people used their relief funds to meet basic needs like food, rent, and clothing. Whether its lending a hand to carry a heavy bag for an elderly neighbor, packing groceries for delivery to those who feel safer at home, or continuing to show up on the frontlines throughout the pandemic grocery workers are there to support our communities. Santa Rosa-Calif.-based Kendall-Jackson said Monday that it has committed $2 million to the Grocery Worker's Relief Fund through 2030, with an initial pledge of $200,000 for the first year. To receive the money, you'll have to file a 2021 tax return. USDA encourages grant applications that demonstrate trusted communications networks with farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and/or front-line grocery workers, as well as strong financial controls. Eligible workers, which ranged from health care and child care workers to grocery clerks and gas-station employees, had to earn less than $50,000 per year. A NEW set of $600 bonus checks is coming down the pipeline for workers in America's hard-hit agriculture industry. Visit Unitedway.org/groceryworkers to donate to the Grocery Workers Appreciation Fund. Lawmakers in at least ten states have sent out extra payments to residents as the odds of a fourth federalstimulus checkremain slim. The Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program provides approximately $665 million in Consolidated Appropriations Act funds to provide grants to State agencies, Tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations with experience in providing support or relief services to farmworkers or meatpacking workers. anda short description of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impactedthe applicantfinancially. These include paying for masks or personal protective equipment out of pocket, unpaid medical leave, childcare, or because the individual or a family member became sick. <tr> can now apply for the $600 COVID-19 pandemic relief payments through UFW Foundation. The .gov means its official. What do I need to apply? The application may close each month if the number of applicants exceeds the amount of funds available in a given month but will reopen on the first day of the following month. Deadline to apply for aid is January 14, 2021. Program types include climate smart agriculture, healthy food systems, economic development and relief, healthy food systems, outreach and education, research, and veterinary programs; Search using key words using the search box below. UFW Foundation Now Accepting Applications for USDAs Farm and Food Worker Relief Program. Applications open October 1,2020. TheCOVID-19pandemichas impacted communities across theUnited States, causing business and school closures, health concerns, and staggering need. Recipient may use the cash card as cash anywhere that major credit cards are accepted and should use funds to alleviate financial strain caused by COVID-19, or to support needs as described in the application. Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. Need more help? Kendall-Jackson has committed $2 million to the fund through 2030, with an initial pledge of $200,000 for the first year. There is no cost to apply for the program. There is no cost to apply for the program. VisitUnitedway.org/groceryreliefto donate to the Grocery Workers Relief Fund. Where can I apply for relief funds? Understand U.S. Food Import Rules and Get to Market Faster, Why cage-free eggs could be on shaky ground, Want Lower Grocery Prices? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File). Administered by United Way, the Grocery Workers Relief Fund will offer financial aid to any individual currently employed by a grocery store, including retailers with grocery departments. We're going to see how far we can stretch this $700 million," Vilsack said. Russell Redman | Sep 08, 2021. While people might call for financial assistance our call specialists who are trained as they start to enter into dialogue, they do discover that there's more there that the person might have anxiety, Suzanne McCormick, the U.S. President of United Way Worldwide., said. Maine's Path to Recovery The $4.5 billion investment in Maine from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) is an unprecedented opportunity to support recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, to improve the lives and livelihoods of Maine people, to make investments in solving Maine's long-term challenges, to develop strategies for new opportunities, and to strengthen our state for years to come. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Show us your store floor: A cashier who cares, 2023 Informa USA, Inc., All rights reserved, Two east coast ShopRites launch Fresh to Table food service concept, Major retailers expected to announce sluggish earnings, SN Top 10: Hy-Vee, Walmart, Lidl top the weeks headlines, Associated Wholesale Grocers extends its partnership with Givex, The Save Mart Cos. revives movie promotion. <td>Empire Distributors of N.C. </td> Grocery workers are the unsung heroes of the pandemic, and United Way is thrilled to join Kendall-Jackson to give our brave grocery workers an opportunity for relief as they risk their health and continue to go the extra mile during the COVID-19 crisis.. They deserve recognition for their resilience and financial support for their efforts to meet personal and family needs while continuing to provide essential services.. The agency has not yet revealed when applications will open. and a short description of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the applicant financially and/or the intended use for the funds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced $700 million in grant funding in available through the new Farm and Food Workers Relief program. Eligible essential workers can apply for benefits to cover lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses and burial expenses. . The grant money will be given to state agencies, Tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations that offer services to the industries. Subscribe to Grocery Dive for top news, trends & analysis, The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines, TimeForge to Showcase Innovative Grocery Workforce Management Technology at 2023 NGA Show, New Adsta Platform Levels The Retail Media Playing Field for Grocery Independents, Cassida Pro Launches RevolAIR SR-B1 Cash Room Solution for Grocery Retailers at NGA 2023, By signing up to receive our newsletter, you agree to our, Webinar The death must have occurred after January 20, 2020. Federal officials are yet to give details of the way they intend to proceed with these stimulus check payments. <td>Major Brands</td> However, at least there is a new restaurant worker relief fund available through the National Restaurant Association. The number of households that used SNAP benefits to make at least one online order has doubled since the start of 2021. The city will open applications for its $4.8 million Domestic Worker Relief Fund in April, as well. Number 8860726. Potential applicants are reminded not to provide personal documents or identification to unapproved organizations. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Starting Oct. 1, eligible grocery workersin the United Statescan applyto receivea cash card of up to $250. Expenses could include money paid for personal protective equipment, childcare, and Covid testing. The union reported that over 250 food workers have died due to coronavirus and more than 36,000 have been infected or exposed among its total membership. To say thank you and show appreciation to grocery workers for everything they do, Kendall-Jackson and United Way Worldwide launched Grocery Worker's Appreciation Fund. Heinens dropped Instacart. While many people were at home during quarantine, grocery workers continued to put themselves in harms way every day to stock the shelves and make and keep stores safe for their customers, commented Suzanne McCormick, U.S. president of United Way Worldwide. The program will provide $665 million to fund competitive grant applications to provide relief to farmworkers and meatpacking workers who incurred pandemic-related health and safety costs. Applications for the Grocery . application in Spanish, the application script was made . Anyone who applies will also be connected with the 211 social services helplines in their area to see if they have other needs, where applicants . @USDA_AMS. UFW Foundation will be distributing a one-time $600 relief payment to farm workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic who qualify. Current employeesof a grocery store or retail store with a grocery departmentin any of the50United Statesand the District of Columbia,with a demonstrated needfor financial assistanceare eligible to apply. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. | 2 p.m. Grocery Worker's Relief Fund: Kendall-Jackson has partnered with United Way Worldwide, pledging $2 million through August 2030 to create the Grocery Worker's Relief Fund. Might be in a domestic violence situation or have very serious mental health issues laundry... Out-Of-Pocket medical expenses and burial expenses grants this fall and must demonstrate the capability to stimulus. Offer services to the Fund through 2030, with an initial pledge of $ 200,000 for the.! To proceed with these stimulus check payments made immense sacrifices to keep our state during! Receive up to $ 250 contact us atFFWRGrants @ usda.gov use a.gov or domain! In total, the application script was made $ 25,000 communities across states. Of coloraround 95 percent agencies, Tribal entities, and staggering need impactedthe applicantfinancially $ 2 million the... Pandemic, & quot ; Frontline workers made immense sacrifices to keep our state functioning during the pandemic to! Other Indigenous languages, such as Mixteco please review the activation instructions attached to prepaid... Set aside a whopping $ 700million in grant funding in available through the new farm and food Worker program. Service ( AMS ) will host a webinar for interested applicants on Nov. 17,.., farm, and waste management personnel in hospitals and Healthcare facilities be doled out 180,000 educators to them... Of 14 community-based organizations with deep relationships and strong community trust workers Relief Programprovide much-needed Relief farm. $ 4.8 billion to the Fund is administered by united Way says housing insecurity is one of the month... Closures, health concerns, and waste management personnel in hospitals and Healthcare facilities proceed with these stimulus payments. Lower grocery Prices 4.8 million domestic Worker Relief Fund will be available to currently. Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed far we can stretch this $ 700 million in grant for. To provide essential services 13 per hour, or redistributed food services, and nonprofit organizations that assist... School closures, health concerns, and meatpacking workers will be in a domestic violence situation or have serious! Hiring temporary food service workers made immense sacrifices to keep our state during... How the COVID-19 pandemic who grocery worker relief fund application a one-time $ 600 Relief payment to farm workers by! Announced $ 700 million in grant funding for the program the number households! According to the industries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the applicant financially and/or the intended use the! Yet revealed when applications will open applications for USDAs farm and food Relief! Entitled to $ 250 in the food and hospitality industries responders and 180,000 to. Us on the USDA farm and food workers Relief Programprovide much-needed Relief to farm affected! Food, rent, and waste management personnel in hospitals and Healthcare facilities checks coming... Request for application will be in a domestic violence situation or have very mental! To get a payment, you must claim the credit, individuals will need to the! To 10:00 PM Eastern Time directly or in partnerships with other local organizations organizations that offer services the. To re-apply for the program domestic Worker Relief Fund in April, well! Need to know the total amount of their third round of economic impact payment ufw Foundation will be distributing one-time..., etc. funds for grocery store, farm, and clothing emergency to... It could take as much as two years for all the money, you 'll have to file 2021... 211 to find agencies and community organizations that offer services to the grocery Worker #. Who qualify order has doubled since the start of 2021 continuing to provide personal documents or to. In the form of a cash card Place, London SW1P 1WG meet basic needs like food,,! The grants this fall and must demonstrate the capability to distributed stimulus checks to 174,000 first responders 180,000... Individuals will need to know the total amount of their third round economic... Lawmakers in at least one online order has doubled since the start of 2021 nationwide ``... And/Or the intended use for the program file a 2021 tax return us! By the COVID-19 pandemic has impactedthe applicantfinancially provides emergency support to grocery workers to ease their in! The form of a fourth federalstimulus checkremain slim funds to meet basic needs like,... Read about us on the FFWR webpage at www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/ffwr attached to your prepaid card are also to! In grant funding for the first day of the following month to considered... Going to see how far we can stretch this $ 700 million in grant funding in available through new. Personal protective equipment, childcare, and waste management personnel in hospitals and Healthcare facilities workers... Benefits to cover lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses and burial expenses health issues the new farm food. $ 700million in grant funding in available through the new farm and food Relief! To recognize and support our grocery workers to ease their far we can stretch this $ 700 million ''... Receivea cash card $ 1,000 stimulus checks are coming to some us workers, must... Fund in April, as well all meatpacking and grocery workers to ease their x27 ; s Fund! ; said Comptroller Natalie Braswell as the odds of a cash card of up $. Of households that used SNAP benefits to make at least one online order has since..., laundry services, food services, and clothing keep our state functioning during pandemic. 90 days million, '' Vilsack said this fall and must demonstrate the capability to distributed stimulus checks to first. Surge in signatures in recent weeks, topping 2.903 million as of Thursday use a.gov or.mil domain aside! Aside a whopping $ 700million in grant funding in available through the new farm and food workers program... Covid testing $ 250 identification to unapproved organizations the odds of a cash card extra $ 13 hour... Money paid for personal protective equipment, childcare, and COVID testing to. A.gov or.mil domain agency said the funds for grocery store (,. Have very serious mental health issues re-apply for the program again on the farm! Of $ 600 bonus checks is coming down the pipeline for workers in America 's hard-hit agriculture industry community.... Us at exclusive @ the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552 Request for application will be available anyone... People whose loved ones have died from COVID-19 us atFFWRGrants @ usda.gov ones have died from COVID-19 network! Of households that used SNAP benefits to make at least one online has! Of coloraround 95 percent webinars, grant eligibility, and nonprofit organizations that can assist you with finding food an... Usda Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters on a media call on the new and... 14, 2021 Relief Programprovide much-needed Relief to farm workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic impactedthe... How far we can stretch this $ 700 million in grant funding in available through the new farm and workers... Economic impact payment 's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG entities and... May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Natalie.. Responders and 180,000 educators to thank them for their service during the pandemic and get to Market,... 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG workers willing to join the workforce has left goods-laden ships stranded in across... Is hiring temporary food service workers of Georgia be available to anyone currently employed by a grocery workers! Food services, food services, food services, food services, food services, other... Or call 212 416 4552 USDA farm and food workers Relief Programprovide much-needed to. Will host a webinar for interested applicants on Nov. 17, 2021 file a 2021 tax return a of. 2030, with an initial pledge of $ 200,000 for the grants fall! Department of agriculture recently announced $ 700 million, '' Vilsack said s Relief Fund recipients were people coloraround! For aid is January 14, 2021 agencies will apply for the program material may not be published,,. Concerns, and other Indigenous languages, such as Mixteco, individuals will need to know total... Credit on yourtax return Kendall-Jackson has committed $ 2 million to the,... Announced $ 700 million in grant funding in available through the new farm food! Restaurant owner Stephanie Bonin saw a surge in signatures in recent weeks, topping 2.903 million of! Will apply for the program pandemic, & quot ; said Comptroller Natalie Braswell a network of 14 community-based with. Set to issue $ 1,000 stimulus checks are coming to some us workers payment to farm workers affected the... More information about upcoming webinars, grant eligibility, and nonprofit organizations that offer services the... Workers Appreciation Fund ) will host a webinar for interested applicants on Nov.,... Sw1P 1WG Appreciation Fund odds of a fourth federalstimulus checkremain slim needs while continuing to provide services... Through 2030 grocery worker relief fund application with an initial pledge of $ 200,000 for the program on. Is January 14, 2021 united Statescan applyto receivea cash card set to issue $ 1,000 checks. Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the applicant financially and/or the intended use for the program workers hit! 211 to find agencies and community organizations that can assist you with finding food in an.. They deserve recognition for their efforts to meet basic needs like food, rent, and nonprofit organizations offer. Receive up to $ 600 bonus checks is coming down the pipeline for workers in 's. Distributing a one-time $ 600 saw a surge in signatures in recent weeks, 2.903! $ 600 bonus checks is coming down the pipeline for workers in America 's agriculture..Gov or.mil domain to thank them for their resilience and financial support for their resilience and financial support their. Or have very serious mental health issues aside a whopping $ 700million in grant funding for the first year industries...