Notice of loss requirement changes for disaster relief

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has waived certain notice of loss requirements for 2023, for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

In an effort to streamline assistance to support access to critical 2023 natural disaster recovery assistance, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is waiving the requirement to submit ELAP or LIP notices of loss, within a pre-determined number of days for 2023.

Instead, producers have the flexibility to submit 2023 notices of loss, as soon as possible, once losses are realized, following a natural disaster event or no later than the established annual program application for payment deadlines for each program.

“Program improvements are only effective if we ensure producers have sufficient time and information needed to submit their application,” said FSA administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

The ELAP provides recovery assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybee and farm-raised fish losses, because of an eligible adverse weather or loss condition, including blizzards, disease, water shortages and wildfires. The ELAP covers grazing and feed losses, transportation of water and feed to livestock, and hauling livestock to grazing acres.

The ELAP also covers certain mortality losses for livestock, including honeybees and farm-raised fish, as well as honeybee hive losses.

Under this waiver, notices of loss are to be completed by the eligible producer and submitted to the FSA, no later than the annual program application deadline of Jan. 30, following the program year in which the loss occurred.