The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency has provided additional flexibilities and further enhanced disaster recovery assistance provided by the Emergency Assistance for Livestock Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP).

This comes in response to needs expressed by livestock producers across the U.S. who have experienced significant feed, forage and animal losses from natural disasters.

These livestock disaster program policy enhancements include an extended Friday, June 2 deadline to submit notices of loss and applications for payment for 2022 losses. The deadline extension and program flexibilities are available to eligible producers nationwide who incurred losses from a qualifying natural disaster event.

“Impacted producers are encouraged contact their FSA county offices to take advantage of ELAP enhancements. Expenses eligible for assistance can include above normal feed purchases, above normal freight and in some cases, even snow removal,” said Sherry Hamel, executive director for FSA in Maine, according to a news release from the Bangor-based agency.

LIP and ELAP reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry and other animals that died because of a qualifying natural disaster event or for loss of grazing acres, feed and forage. LFP provides benefits for grazing losses due to a qualifying drought or wildfire. For fire, losses must occur on federally managed lands. ELAP provides benefits for grazing losses not covered under LFP.

Producers can apply for ELAP, LFP and LIP benefits at their local FSA county office. For more information or to submit a notice of loss or an application for payment, contact a local FSA office or visit farmers.gov/recover.

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