The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a major financial relief effort to support farmers struggling with rising input costs and falling crop prices. Through its Farm Service Agency (FSA), the USDA is offering direct cash payments to eligible producers under the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP).
This new program is backed by a $10 billion fund aimed at helping farmers who are part of a critical sector of the U.S. economy.
What Is ECAP?
The Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) offers one-time direct payments to qualifying farmers. These payments are designed to help reduce the financial stress caused by expensive inputs (like fertilizers, fuel, and seeds) and lower prices for crops like corn, cotton, and wheat.
Farmers can receive different payment amounts based on the type of crop they grow and the amount of land they use.
Who Is Eligible for ECAP?
To qualify for this USDA payment, farmers must meet four key conditions:
- Actively Engaged in Farming: You must be working in agriculture, not just owning land.
- Tracked Input Interest: You need to have paid or tracked costs for growing a commodity that qualifies.
- Filed a Report of Acreage (Form FSA-578): This shows the crops you planted in 2024 and must be submitted to the FSA.
- Filed a Notice of Loss (Form CCC-576): If you had land where planting wasn’t possible, this form must be submitted too.
The deadline for submitting all forms is August 15, 2025. You can find the full list of required documents on the FSA website.
How to Apply
Some producers who previously reported eligible crops as of March 10, 2025, may have already received a partially filled application by mail. These forms need to be completed and submitted to your local FSA office.
But you don’t have to wait for the mailed form—you can also apply online directly through the FSA’s online system.
Payment Amounts and Crops Covered
The amount of money you receive depends on the commodity and the number of acres you reported. Some of the crops covered include:
Peas, peanuts, oats, lentils, cotton, corn, chickpeas, barley, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, and sunflower.
Among these, cotton has the highest per-acre payment at $84.74.
To get an idea of your possible payment, you can use the free ECAP Payment Calculator available online.
Income Limits Apply
There are limits on the total payment amount, depending on how much of your income comes from farming:
- If less than 75% of your income in 2020, 2021, and 2022 came from farming, ranching, or forestry, your maximum payment is $125,000.
- If more than 75% of your income during those same years came from these activities, your maximum payment is $250,000.
Other Payment Opportunities to Watch
In addition to ECAP, Americans should be aware of other direct payment programs launching this summer. These include:
- Monthly $500 payments for two years under a new support program.
- $1,000 free cash grants being offered by a major U.S. bank.
This USDA direct payment program offers a valuable opportunity for American farmers facing financial challenges. If you’re actively farming and growing eligible crops, be sure to apply before August 15, 2025. With payments ranging up to $250,000, this one-time economic support could make a big difference.
Check your eligibility, gather your documents, and don’t miss the chance to benefit from the $10 billion USDA fund created to support the backbone of America’s food system.