Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement today after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that more than $3 billion is available for disaster relief for agricultural producers, including Nebraska ag producers affected by flooding, through the agency’s Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+):

“Nebraskans in agriculture were hit hard by the severe weather this year, which is why I worked to add our state to this spring’s disaster relief bill. Starting Wednesday, September 11th, ag producers facing losses because of the March storm can apply for assistance through USDA’s WHIP+ program. With access to this much-needed relief, our families can continue to make progress as they rebuild and recover.”

More information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

WHIP+ is available for eligible producers who have suffered losses of certain crops, trees, bushes, or vines in counties with a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration or a Secretarial Disaster Designation (primary counties only). Disaster losses must have been a result of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, typhoons, volcanic activity, snowstorms, or wildfires that occurred in 2018 or 2019.

Nebraska producers can apply to receive up to $125,000 for losses related to flooding. Some producers could receive a higher payment—up to $250,000 or $500,000—if ¾ or more of their income is derived from farming or another agriculture-based business.

Click here to read more about WHIP+ eligibility.

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