April 2025
The USDA has opened Economic Assistance through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) with sign-up lasting through August 15th, 2025. Pre-filled applications will be sent to producers who certified their acres with the Farm Service Agency during Crop Year 2024.
In December 2024, Congress passed a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) which included $10 billion in economic assistance. The assistance is intended to help producers alleviate the effects of the weak farm economy. Congress directed USDA to deliver this assistance within 90 days of the CR becoming law.
ECAP will use up to $10 billion to issue economic assistance payments to producers of eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year.
Eligible commodities:
- Corn (including silage and popcorn),
- Wheat, sorghum, barley, cotton (upland and ELS),
- Long and medium grain rice
- Peanuts, soybeans, other oilseeds (canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame and sunflower)
- Dry peas, lentils
- Large and small chickpeas
The USDA will make the first payments with an 85% payment factor and the Department hopes to make a second payment when they can be assured, they have additional funding available.
How to Apply for ECAP
Producers must submit ECAP applications to their local FSA county office by Aug. 15, 2025. Only one application is required for all ECAP eligible commodities nationwide. ECAP applications can be submitted to FSA in-person, electronically using Box and One-Span, by fax or by applying online at fsa.usda.gov/ecap utilizing a secure login.gov account.
If not already on file for the 2024 crop year, producers must have the following forms on file with FSA:
- Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet.
- Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable).
- Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity.
- Form CCC 943, 75 percent of Average Gross Income from Farming, Ranching, or Forestry Certification (if applicable).
- AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification.
- SF-3881, Direct Deposit.
Except for the new CCC-943, most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, likely have these forms on file. However, those who are uncertain and want to confirm the status of their forms or need to submit the new Form-943, can contact their local FSA county office.
If a producer does not receive a pre-filled ECAP application, and they planted or were prevented from planting ECAP eligible commodities in 2024, they should contact their local FSA office.
For more information, please see the links below: