USDA issues disaster relief payments to farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is distributing more than $235 million in disaster relief payments to farmers and livestock producers impacted by natural disasters. Payments include $143 million in crop insurance indemnities for Florida producers affected by Hurricane Milton, along with $92 million for livestock producers nationwide impacted by 2022 drought and wildfire losses.

Florida producers covered under USDA’s Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) and Tropical Storm (TS) options will receive the payments through their insurers within 30 days. Livestock producers will receive aid through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP).

“Florida farmers, livestock producers and forest landowners have been hit hard by hurricanes this year, and we’re continuing our efforts to help producers recover,” said agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack.

In total, HIP-WI has paid out $776 million in 2024, with Florida producers receiving around $340 million since HIP-WI began in 2020. USDA also offers additional assistance programs and emergency farm loans to help farmers recover from natural disasters.

For more information on available USDA programs, farmers can contact their local USDA offices or visit farmers.gov/hurricane.