This information is intended to give those working through a disaster a sense of the major agencies and deadlines they’ll need to know. Please note that the USDA and FEMA do change deadlines at times. If you’re currently dealing with a disaster and need assistance for recovery, please check with your local agencies and offices for the latest information.
Please also see the resources listed here on our Disaster Recovery Resources page.
List of Abbreviations:
FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency
FSA – Farm Service Agency
SBA – Small Business Administration
USDA – U.S. Department of Agriculture
| Day(s) | Event | Program | Agency | Type of Assistance | Type of Damage | Links to Information |
| 1 |
Disaster Declaration | NA |
USDA, FEMA | NA | NA | https://bit.ly/FSADisasterDesignationInfo https://bit.ly/FSAFactsheet |
| 30 | Deadline to file notification of livestock loss (30 days after livestock death is first apparent) | Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) | USDA, FSA | Payment | Livestock mortality | https://bit.ly/FSALivestock |
| 30 | Deadline to file notification of loss (30 days after loss becomes apparent.) | Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program | USDA, FSA | Payment | Losses of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish not covered by other programs | https://bit.ly/EmergencyAssistanceELAP |
| 60 | Deadline to apply for assistance | FEMA | FEMA | Grant | www.fema.gov | |
| 60 | Deadline to apply for low interest loan to repair damaged home or repair or replace household contents | Disaster Loans | SBA | Loan | https://bit.ly/SBADisasterLoans | |
| 240 (8 mo.) | Deadline to apply for an Emergency Loan | Emergency Loans | USDA, FSA | Loan | Loan can be up to the value of farm losses, up to $20,000 for damaged home and household goods. | https://bit.ly/EFarmLoans |
| 240 (8 mo.) | Deadline to apply for Disaster Set-Aside Program | Disaster Set-Aside for USDA Direct Loans | USDA, FSA | Delay of Loan Payment | Shifts FSA direct loan payment to the end of the loan term, does not extend term. Principle accrues interest. | https://bit.ly/DisasterSetAside |
| 90 | Deadline to apply for benefits under the Tree Assistance Program (Later of 90 calendar days from disaster event, or when loss is apparent.) | Tree Assistance Program | USDA, FSA | Financial Assistance | Costs to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines from which an annual crop is produced | http://bit.ly/TAPprogram |
| 30* | *Deadline is 30 days after the end of the calendar year in which losses occurred; deadline to file application and supporting documentation for program | Livestock Forage Program | USDA, FSA | Grant | Grazing losses | https://bit.ly/LFPprogram |
| 60* | *60 days from last day of existing coverage for crop year of covered crop; deadline for submitting a complete “Notice of Loss and Application for Payment” | Non-insured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) | USDA, FSA | Insurance payment | Payment for production losses based on pre-season applications | https://bit.ly/FSA-NAP |
| 90* | *90 days after the end of the calendar year in which loss took place; deadline to submit and application for Payment under LIP | Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) | USDA, FSA | Payment | Payment | https://bit.ly/FSA-LIP |
| Nov. 1st* | *Nov. 1st of year following program year in which loss occurred; deadline to submit application for ELAP | Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program | USDA, FSA | Payment | Losses of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish not covered by other programs. | https://bit.ly/FSA-ECP |
| As determined by the FSA State and County Committees | *Set by County Committee, based on available funds; deadline for application for assistance from the Emergency Conservation Program | Emergency Conservation Program | USDA, FSA | Cost-share payment | Payment to rehabilitate farmland damaged by disasters and implement emergency water conservation measures in severe drought | https://bit.ly/FSAFactsheetECP |
| As determined by the FSA State and County Committees | *Set by County Committee, based on available funds; deadline for application for assistance from the Emergency Forest Rehabilitation Program | Emergency Forest Rehabilitation Program | USDA, FSA | Cost-share payment | Payments to restore nonindustrial private forest land damaged by a natural disaster | https://bit.ly/FSA-EFRP |