USDA has announced that $700 million will be available for meat-processing and farm workers as compensation for losses sustained as a result of COVID infection.  Initially, $20 million will be assigned to a pilot program for grocery store employees.  The bulk of the $700 million grant will be for farm and meat-processing workers.

The USDA release stated, "this relief is intended to defray costs for reasonable and necessary personal, family or living expenses related to the COVID pandemic including costs for personal protective equipment, dependent care and expenses associated with quarantine and testing". 

The request for applications will be announced in October and additional information will be provided at an appropriate time.