FFWR Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions below. You can also read and share the Spanish FAQs version.
Eligibility
How do I get information about the FFWR COVID relief payment, apply for the payment, or check the status of my application?
Contact the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association (NMSHSA) by emailing ffwrinfo@nmshsa.org or calling (202) 987-6799. You can also visit your local MSHS program site to apply or learn more about this program.
Am I an eligible beneficiary?
You are eligible to receive a USDA Food and Farm Worker relief payment if you completed one hour of field, livestock, meatpacking, or grocery store work anytime from January 27, 2020, through May 11, 2023 (Please refer to these categories’ definitions, as provided by USDA). This USDA FFWR COVID Relief program can ONLY register farmworkers who have worked in the field or with livestock. If you are not in either of these two categories, ask your MSHS program to provide you with the contact information of an agency registering meatpacking and grocery store workers.
Am I eligible even if I do not have a child enrolled in a Migrant Seasonal Head Start program?
You don’t need to have a child enrolled in a Migrant Seasonal Head Start program to be eligible. However, some MSHS grantees have prioritized registration for families with a child/ren enrolled in the MSHS program and may not have enough funding to register others.
How old do I have to be to receive these funds?
The beneficiary must be at least ten (10) years old when the qualifying work was performed.
To prove I am eligible, what documentation do I need to submit?
See FFWR Eligibility and Requirements.
What form of ID is acceptable?
See FFWR Eligibility and Requirements.
What if I don’t have any one of the forms of ID listed?
If you do not have any of the required forms of ID, you can provide two forms of other documentation with your name on them. For example, a utility bill or a cell phone bill.
Can I apply for funds if I’m not in the United States because I returned to my home country?
No, you must complete the registration in person, as you must show the required documentation to assess eligibility.
Do I have to assert and/or provide documentation of citizenship status?
No. Immigration status is not one of the eligibility criteria under this program.
Will the government have access to my information?
No, the government will not receive or keep your information. Your information will only be used by the NMSHSA/NORC team, the USDA’s data coordinating contractor, Aeyon, and our payment card vendor, Virtual Incentives, to determine eligibility and to verify the person registering has not previously received this same COVID relief payment. At no point in time will the Federal government have access to any of your data.
Will this affect me later if I apply for residency or citizenship?
No, your information will only be used to determine eligibility for this USDA FFWR COVID Relief program and to make sure beneficiaries only get paid once from the FFWR relief program. Your information will never be shared with any government agency. Immigration and the IRS will never have your information.
How will a registrant be notified of their payment status?
A registrant will receive a notification either via text message or email within three weeks indicating whether they have been deemed eligible and whether their card has been loaded with the funds. Please make sure you confirm that the phone number and/or email address are accurate, as they otherwise will not receive the notification. If after three weeks a registrant has not received notification as whether they have been deemed eligible to receive payment, they can contact the MSHS grantee where they registered to ask for additional information.
If I was not approved for a relief payment, who can I contact to learn more?
If you were notified that you are not approved, you will NOT be paid. This means that you have already registered elsewhere and have been processed for payment. If that’s the case, and you haven’t received payment, you should go to the site/program where you originally registered. There is not anything else NORC or the NMSHSA can do. If you reapply, you will continue to be flagged as a duplicate and will be found ineligible.
Payment Cards
When does my card get funded?
Once your application is approved, your card will be loaded with $600 within approximately two weeks. Please be patient. You will receive a text message or email letting you know funds are available.
What should I do if my application was approved but my card was not funded?
Contact your local MSHS program where you registered.
How will a registrant be notified of their payment status?
A registrant will receive a notification either via text message or email within three weeks indicating whether they have been deemed eligible and whether their card has been loaded with the funds. Please make sure you confirm that the phone number and/or email address are accurate, as they otherwise will not receive the notification. If after three weeks a registrant has not received notification as whether they have been deemed eligible to receive payment, they can contact the MSHS grantee where they registered to ask for additional information.
When should I activate my card?
You can activate your card any time after completing the registration. But please note that funds will not be available until you have been deemed eligible.
How do I activate my payment card? How do I set my PIN?
Call 877-448-3970 and follow the instructions, available in English and Spanish. This number is ONLY FOR ACTIVATION OF THE CARD. You can also visit the card website to activate the payment card and create an account.
Note: an email address is needed for online activation, but not for phone activation. Create your 4-digit PIN. For security reasons, please do not share your PIN number with anyone else.
How can I check the balance on my payment card?
Call 877-448-3970 and follow the prompts to get your card balance. To view your balance and all your card transactions online, visit the card website. If you initially activated your card over the phone, you’ll first need to create an online account.
Can I take cash out from my payment card at an ATM?
Yes. You can only withdraw increments of $300 at a time. Also, an ATM fee may be deducted from your card balance. For example, if you have a $300 balance remaining and try to withdraw it all, a $5 ATM fee may cause the transaction to decline.
Does my card ever expire?
Yes. The card expiration date is printed on the front of your card. After that date your card will expire, and the remaining balance on your card will no longer be available.
What should I do if my card is lost/stolen and I need a replacement?
Report a lost or stolen card immediately by contacting your local MSHS program where you registered.
Shopping With Your Card
How do I use my card to purchase goods and services?
You can use your card to make purchases at any merchant (online, in-store, via phone) that accepts Visa debit cards. In-person transactions can be completed as "credit" or “debit.” With debit transactions, you will be prompted to enter your PIN at the point of sale.
How do I get support if my card is declined when trying to make a purchase?
Call the Rewards Center at 1-800-604-1815 or email support@virtualrewardcenter.com.
How do I shop online using my card?
Shopping online is easy. At checkout, select Visa as your payment option. Enter your 16-digit card number, and the 3-digit security code (on the back of your card), and your expiration date.