Wisconsin farmers have a two-week window to apply for the Wisconsin Farm Support Program, which will provide direct aid payments to Wisconsin farmers who have experienced financial losses due to COVID-19.

The funding will be administered by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and the online application portal will be open from June 15 – June 29. Individual payments will range from $1,000 – $3,500 and will be issued after the application period closes on June 29. Wisconsin farmers with gross income between $35,000 and $5 million in 2019 maybe eligible to receive a payment. Farmers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible when the portal opens on June 15 at 7:00 am to provide time to address any potential issues in their application. The application window ends at 11:59 pm on June 29.

The Department of Revenue has a Wisconsin Farm Support Program FAQs page that can help farmers determine their eligibility and answer common questions. Farmers who can’t apply online or who have questions that are not answered on the FAQs page should call 608-266-2772 to ask for assistance.  Spanish- and Hmong-speaking farmers should call the Department of Revenue at 608-266-2772 for assistance.

The Department of Revenue will begin issuing payments on July 15 and farmers can request that their payment be direct deposited to a bank account or receive a check in the mail. These direct payments will be considered gross income for 2020 and recipients will receive a 1099 – G for their 2020 state and federal taxes.

Useful links: Wisconsin Department of Revenue:  https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/home.aspx

Farm Support Program FAQs: https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/TaxPro/2020/FarmSupportProgram.aspx