ERP Phase One Payments on the Way

USDA’s Farm Service Agency has announced payments are going out for the first phase of the Emergency Relief Program or ERP. Approximately 220,000 crop producers hit by natural disasters in 2020 and 2021 are receiving disaster payments to offset yield and value losses. This first phase of ERP includes $6 billion. FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux says they’re using a streamlined payment process to decrease the paperwork burden experienced with other ad hoc disaster programs. They partnered RMA to use crop insurance data, with the goal of serving as many producers possible, with less burden on farmers and staff. He says Phase 2 will be rolled out later this summer. Right now FSA identifying eligible disaster events that weren’t previously covered or indeminified by crop insurance or NAP. There will also be a Phase 2 for livestock producers.