Farmers risk loss of federal payments, loans, closure

The end of 2018 seemed to be a sign of good things to come for American farmers. Just after the adoption of the Agriculture Bill, which re-authorized agricultural, conservation and protection programs, the Ministry of Agriculture announced the week last a second round of direct payments to producers hardest hit by President Donald Trump's trade war with China.

Parts of the government then closed.

The USDA in a statement released last week, farmers were assured that checks would continue to be issued during the first week of closure. But direct payments for farmers who have not certified production, as well as agricultural loans and disaster assistance programs, will be suspended as of next week and will not resume until 39, at the reopening of the government.

The Associated Press

It is unlikely the government's closure will end soon. Trump and Congress are not close to reaching an agreement on his request for money from the border, and both sides believe the stalemate could extend until January.

Although some key USDA programs will remain operational in the short term, they could change if the closure lasts more than a few weeks.

The nutrition supplement program, which consists of food stamps, is used to feed about 40 million Americans. According to the USDA, eligible beneficiaries are guaranteed benefits until January. Other feeding programs, including WIC, which provides nutritional assistance and nutritional counseling to pregnant women, new mothers and children, as well as food distribution programs on Indian reserves, are continue at the local level, but no additional federal funding will be provided. Meal programs at the school will continue until February.

The Associated Press

The USDA has allocated about $ 9.5 billion in direct payments to soybean, corn, wheat, sorghum and other products most affected by tariffs. The first series of payments was made in September. The deadline to register for the second round of payments is January 15th.

The impact of the closure, which began shortly before the scheduled holiday of most federal employees, began to be felt in the middle of the week.

About 420,000 employees work without pay, while 380,000 are forced to stay at home. In the past, federal employees were paid retroactively. However, government contractors will not be paid for the hours they will lose to stay at home, which will cause problems for those who depend on hourly wages.

In anticipation of the difficult financial situation, many federal workers and contractors are likely to end up soon, Staff Management has given some advice: haggling with homeowners, creditors and mortgage credit companies to reduce payments up to At the end of the closing.

The closure also affects national parks, although unevenly: some remain accessible with zero staffing levels, others are operating with state money or charitable groups, while others are stuck.