Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), Farm Service Agency (FSA), and Office of the Secretary, Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Pandemic Assistance Programs and Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs

On January 11, 2023, Phase 2 of the Emergency Relief Program (“ERP”), which provides assistance to producers including Tribes and Tribal organizations who suffered crop losses due to wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, and qualifying droughts occurring in calendar years 2020 and 2021 became effective.

It also announces Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (“PARP”), a new program that provides support for agricultural producers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, this rule makes changes to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (“CFAP”); the Emergency Conservation Program (“ECP”); the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (“EFRP”); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (“ELAP”); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (“LFP”); the Livestock Indemnity Program (“LIP”); the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (“NAP”); and general payment eligibility provisions. This rule also makes a technical correction to the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (“BCAP”).

Deadline for funding is: Enrollment opens for ERP Phase Two on Jan. 23, 2023, and runs through June 2, 2023.

Eligible entities should take the following steps to access funding. 

A completed FSA-521, Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 2 Application, must be submitted to any FSA county office by the close of business on the date announced by the Deputy Administrator. Applications may be submitted in person or by mail, email, facsimile, or other methods announced by FSA. Form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, applicable for the program year or years for which the producer is applying for ERP. Payments made to an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization will not be subject to payment limitation.

FSA will accept PARP applications until the date announced by the Deputy Administrator. To apply for PARP, producers must submit a complete FSA-1122, Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program Application, in person, by mail, email, facsimile, or other method announced by FSA to any FSA county office

For more information, please contact:

• For CFAP, ERP, ELAP, LFP, LIP, NAP, PARP, and PARP information collection activity, and payment eligibility, Kathy Sayers; telephone: (202) 720-6825; email: sayers@usda.gov
• For ECP, EFRP, and BCAP, Shanita Landon; telephone: (202) 690-1612; email: landon@usda.gov

Federal Register Notice is available here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-01-11/pdf/2023-00005.pdf

Big Fire Contact: Amber Holland, aholland@bigfirelaw.com

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