Utilizing the reach and trusted relationships of at least 16 locally based united ways and alreadyexistingdigital systems, united ways of california (uwca) will work with dozens of food and…

The United Ways of California (UWCA) will receive $41,965,538 from the Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Pandemic Relief Activities: Farm and Food Worker Relief Grant Program (CFDA 10.181) from October 2022 through October 2024. UWCA will utilize existing digital systems and relationships with 16 local United Ways to identify and issue $600 payments to over 61,000 farm and food workers across 23 California counties. UWCA will provide subawards to partners to recruit eligible workers to apply for relief payments through UWCA's automated 211/text system. Verified workers will receive a $600 prepaid debit card by mail or delivery to use as cash or make purchases. This Block Grant aims to provide pandemic relief to farm and food sector employees using a streamlined digital verification process to prevent fraud and quickly distribute aid to rural communities with limited broadband access.

Utilizing the reach and trusted relationships of at least 16 locally based united ways and alreadyexistingdigital systems, united ways of california (uwca) will work with dozens of food and farmcompanies, unions, and nonprofit organizations to identify and issue 600 covid relief payments TO61,560 food and farm workers in at least 23 counties across california.uwca will issue subawards to partners based on their recruitment of eligible workers to apply for andreceive relief payments through uwca s automated 211 211 SMS text system. Local united ways willrecruit workers from relevant unions, employers, and nonprofit service organizations, screen them andgather relevant identity documents and paystubs to prove eligibility.using uwca s secure SMS text system, workers will submit attestations for eligibility and basic contactinformation. Their phone number and address will be matched against data provided by local partners, verifying them as eligible. This two key verification of unique phone numbers against partner providedlists will greatly prevent fraud and duplication. SMS text has the advantage of being faster, easier, moresecure, and more accessible for low broadband rural areas.payments to verified eligible workers will be made in the form of a 600 omnicard pre paid, cash card. The card will arrive to the worker via mail or to a trusted, local nonprofit liaison who will deliver the carddirectly and confirm receipt. The card may be used like a credit card at any store accepting visa creditcards, or IT may be used to withdraw cash from an ATM.