Understanding FSA Drought Assistance Programs - RAFI

USDA Farm Service Agency has many programs that can assist farmers across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and USVI who have been impacted by drought, and RAFI technical assistance is available to help you navigate them. Many of these programs are based on the US Drought Monitor. Farmers can submit online their local conditions, which can help shape the data that FSA uses to trigger drought programs. RAFI recommends that farmers keep detailed records of crop losses and emergency expenses. Having detailed records is a requirement for all of these programs.

For farmers with existing FSA Farm Loans and whose counties have been issued a disaster designation, the Disaster Set-Aside Program (DSA) provides financial relief by allowing eligible producers to move one annual installment for each loan to the end of the loan term. Applications must be submitted within eight months from the date the disaster designation was declared.

The Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) can assist eligible farmers with crop production losses due to drought. Eligible crops may include grasses for hay production and specialty crops. Applications for coverage must be submitted by the crop-specific application closing date; however, if a producer has a CCC-860 “Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification form on file, they may be eligible for coverage. Please reach out to RAFI or your local FSA office for more details.

Farmers and ranchers who commercially raise livestock, including (but not all) cattle, goats, equine, sheep, emus, or ostriches, and suffered grazing losses in 2026 due to a qualifying drought and poor pasture conditions, may be eligible for financial assistance under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2027.

Losses due to drought may also be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP). ELAP covers a wide range of losses and conditions not addressed by other disaster assistance programs, like if you had to purchase livestock feed above normal or haul livestock or water above normal due to drought. Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2027. Covered losses include:

• Livestock losses due to eligible disease, certain adverse weather, and feed and water shortages.
• Honeybee colony, hive, and feed losses due to colony collapse disorder, eligible adverse weather, and other conditions.
• Farm-raised fish death losses due to adverse weather and other qualifying conditions, including losses due to birds that feed on fish.

If you need immediate assistance, please call our Farmer Hotline toll-free 866.586.6746. More information on 2026 drought conditions and disaster support can be found here. Additionally, the USDA Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool can help farmers find which programs might be right for you.