WASHINGTON, D.C. (NAFB) – The Department of Agriculture Thursday extended the deadline to apply for the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters the sign-up period will be extended, allowing producers more time to apply. The deadline will extend 30 days after USDA completes a review of the program. As part of the Biden administration review of federal programs, USDA suspended the processing and payments under the program.

The American Farm Bureau Federation requested the deadline extension in a letter to Vilsack earlier in the week. Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall stated, “Recent severe weather and the suspension of CFAP payments led to challenges and confusion surrounding the application process.”

Vilsack says USDA is in the process of reviewing the program. Vilsack says, “We want to make sure that as we implement this next level of support that we do so, within the resources provided, do it in an equitable way, and try to respond to some of the legitimate concerns.”