WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will extend the deadline for agricultural producers to return their pre-filled applications for Phase One of the Emergency Relief Program (ERP). A new deadline will be announced at least 30 days after the last Phase One applications mailings have been sent. USDA also announced multiple program fixes to account for issues North Dakota’s producers have experienced since the program was announced.
“ERP provides meaningful relief to farmers and ranchers who suffered major disaster-related losses in 2020 and 2021 across North Dakota. The deadline extension and program fixes will help producers apply and receive accurate relief for their losses. I look forward to continuing to work with the agricultural community to ensure producers are not excluded from increased relief due to the treatment of capital gains from equipment sales erroneously affecting adjusted gross income levels,” said Senator Cramer.
ERP will be adjusted to account for producers who suffered from eligible losses in 2020 but had their crop insurance records indicate the loss as occurring in 2019. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency will begin sending applications to producers who required further information before being able to calculate an indemnity for 2021 losses, including producers who purchased enhanced crop insurance coverage through the Supplemental Coverage Option and Enhanced Coverage Option.
On July 14, Senator Cramer joined Senators John Thune (R-SD), John Hoeven (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Tina Smith (D-MN) in urging USDA to account for 2020 losses being attributed to 2019, expedite ERP assistance to producers who purchased increased crop insurance coverage, and to ensure producers who made farm equipment sales are not wrongly excluded from increased payment levels due to adjusted gross income limits.
For more information on ERP eligibility applicants can visit FSA’s Emergency Relief webpage.