Ag News

USDA lays out timeline for $21 billion in disaster assistance payments

On May 7, the USDA announced plans to expedite $21 billion in disaster assistance to farmers who suffered ag-related losses from recent natural disasters. The USDA launched a web page detailing the projected timeline for supplemental disaster assistance.

The Disaster Assistance Program Timeline:

Emergency Livestock Relief Program – Drought/Wildfire

May 23 – Release to Federal Register for publication

May 28 – Final rule on public display

May 29 – Payment processing on Thursday night

May 30 – County offices sign and certify payments

Supplemental Disaster Relief Program – Previously Indemnified Loss

June 30 – Release to Federal Register for Publication

July 3 – Final rule on public display

July 7 – SDRP sign-up begins

Emergency Livestock Relief Program – Flooding includes Commodity Loss Assistance Program, Milk Loss Program – Combined Final Rule

Aug. 13 – Sent to Federal Register for Publication

Aug. 15 – Final Rule on public display

Aug. 18 – ELRP flooding, Commodity Loss Assistance and Milk Loss – sign up begins

Supplemental Disaster Relief Program – Uncovered Loss

Sept. 10 – Sent to Federal Register for Publication

Sept. 12 – Final Rule on public display

Sept. 15 – SDRP sign up targeted.

General Block Grant Authority

USDA is using general block grant authority to pay on losses due to adverse weather events for 2023 and 2024. General block grants will not duplicate assistance for which USDA covers a similar loss. As of May 15, USDA has received general block grant requests from Georgia, Alabama, California, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. These are agreements between the states and USDA.

June 13 - Fully executed agreement complete (for states with a final negotiated agreement by 5/28/25)

June 30 - Fully executed agreement complete (for states with a final negotiated agreement by 6/13/25)

 

In related news, the USDA announced April 22 funds allocated to Georgia through USDA Rural Development. According to a USDA spokesperson, the Disaster Assistance Fund provides USDA with the flexibility to expedite recovery efforts by allowing funds to be allocated to specific programs based on community needs. Funds allocated to Georgia include:

$3 million for Single Family Housing Disaster Home Repair Grants

$250,000 for Predevelopment Planning Grants

$250,000 for Assistance for Rural Communities and Households

$5 million for Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants

The funding will be available until expended and can be used for loans, grants, loan guarantees, or cooperative agreements across authorized Rural Development programs. For information on funding available in certain areas in Georgia, residents can contact the state office at https://www.rd.usda.gov/find-your-local-area-office?state=GA.

In December, the Senate passed the American Relief Act, which included nearly $31 billion for agricultural aid, including the $21 billion for the Emergency Relief Program for agricultural losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.

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