USDA announces additional emergency relief

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USDA announces additional emergency relief

The USDA is extending the deadline to return applications for Phase One of the Emergency Relief Program.

FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux tells Brownfield the agency will use Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) data to generate payments.

“In a lot of the places where we’re sending these payments they are still in this longstanding drought,” he said. “It’s important to get these producers this assistance, and to make it as streamlined and effective as possible.”

Producers are expected to receive about $105 million in ERP payments for eligible losses from 2020 and 2021 disasters.

Ducheneaux says a new deadline will be announced after the last Phase One applications are mailed.

“We would sure like to see producers come in and help us get this all the way closed out and in the books,” he said. “It will help us demonstrate the success, but it will also put money in their pocket.”

The USDA says the ERP benefits will reach more than 5,200 producers with NAP coverage.

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