ELAP is USDA's catch-all disaster program: it covers producer losses that don't fit into LFP (grazing loss from drought) or LIP (animal deaths). Three main categories: feed and water losses including hauling costs, livestock transportation, and other losses. It also covers honey bee and farm-raised fish operations.
USDA's July 8, 2026 announcement under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) added ELAP coverage for bird depredation losses, changed the honey bee colony normal mortality definition, and established tiered payment rates from 60 to 90 percent depending on producer status. Changes are retroactive to January 1, 2026.
The three components of ELAP
1. Feed and water losses
Reimburses additional costs (above a normal year) for hauling feed or water to livestock during drought, wildfire, or other qualifying events. This is the largest ELAP use case for cattle producers. Also covers actual feed lost or destroyed by qualifying events.
2. Livestock transportation
Covers the cost of moving livestock to available forage or water when conditions on the home operation don't support the herd. Different from the freight-to-feed direction — this is hauling animals, not feed. National rate for 2026: $6.60 per loaded mile, above the first 25 miles, up to 1,000 miles per truckload.
3. Other livestock losses not covered by LFP or LIP
Includes losses that don't fit the LFP grazing-loss framework or the LIP animal-death framework. New for 2026: bird depredation losses (crops eaten or damaged by protected bird species). Also covers honey bee colony, hive, and feed losses (see next section), and farm-raised fish losses.
Payment rates (tiered as of July 2026)
The July 8, 2026 rule change introduced tiered payment rates that vary by producer status. Under the prior rule, all producers received the flat 60% share.
| Producer category | National payment rate |
|---|---|
| Beginning farmers or ranchers | 90% |
| Veteran farmers or ranchers | 90% |
| Socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers | 90% |
| Limited resource farmers or ranchers | 90% |
| All other eligible producers | Not less than 60%, not more than 80% |
Payment rate is applied to the calculated eligible loss (feed/water/transport cost above normal, colony fair market value, etc.). Exact percentages within the 60-80% band for standard producers are set annually by USDA.
Honey bee provisions
ELAP is the primary federal aid channel for commercial beekeeping operations. Three categories of loss:
- Colony losses. Paid at 60% of the average fair market value of the colonies in the year of the loss. Eligible causes include eligible adverse weather (blizzards, wildfires), disease, and — new in 2026 — pest and predator conditions above the revised normal mortality thresholds.
- Hive losses. Physical destruction of hive equipment from qualifying events.
- Colony feed losses. Paid at 60% of the actual cost of honey bee feed damaged or destroyed.
The July 8, 2026 announcement revised the normal mortality definition for honey bee colonies, which affects how many losses qualify for the program. Beekeepers should check with FSA for the current threshold applicable to their claim.
The filing process
ELAP has a different application deadline than LFP or LIP — a distinction that catches some producers by surprise.
- Notice of Loss (form CCC-851). Filed at the local FSA office within 30 days of the loss event, or within 30 days of becoming aware of the loss.
- Documentation of the loss. Feed/freight invoices with dates, origin, and destination addresses (for hauling claims). Mortality records (for animal losses). Colony inventory (for honey bee claims). Baseline records showing normal-year costs.
- Full ELAP application. Due by January 30 of the year after the loss for ELAP claims. This is earlier than LFP or LIP's March 1 deadline.
- Payment processing. Historically a few weeks after complete application; in 2026, county-office backlogs are extending timelines. Details on the payments page.
Find your local FSA office: farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
Common ELAP questions
What does ELAP cover?
ELAP covers three categories of loss: feed and water losses (including additional hauling costs above a normal year), livestock transportation costs (moving cattle to available forage), and other livestock losses not covered by LFP or LIP. It also covers honey bee losses (colony, hive, and feed) and farm-raised fish losses.
How much does ELAP pay for feed hauling?
For most producers, ELAP pays roughly 60% to 80% of the additional cost above a normal year of hauling feed or water. Beginning farmers, veteran farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, and limited resource farmers receive 90%. The 2026 national rate for livestock transportation is $6.60 per loaded mile above the first 25 miles, up to 1,000 miles per truckload.
What changed in July 2026 for ELAP?
USDA's July 8, 2026 announcement (under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) added ELAP coverage for bird depredation losses, changed the honey bee colony "normal mortality" definition, and established tiered payment rates from 60 to 90 percent depending on producer status. Changes are retroactive to January 1, 2026.
Does ELAP cover honey bees?
Yes. ELAP covers honey bee colony losses, hive losses, and colony feed losses caused by eligible adverse weather or loss conditions (including blizzards, wildfires, and now bird depredation). Feed losses are paid at 60% of the actual cost of feed damaged or destroyed; colony losses at 60% of the average fair market value of colonies in the loss year.
When is the ELAP application deadline?
Notice of Loss (form CCC-851) must be filed within 30 days of the loss event or within 30 days of becoming aware of the loss. The full application is due by January 30 of the year after the loss for ELAP claims (a different deadline than LFP or LIP, which use March 1).
Sources
- USDA FSA — Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP) program page. fsa.usda.gov
- eCFR Title 7, Part 1416, Subpart B — ELAP federal regulations. ecfr.gov
- Federal Register (July 9, 2026) — Supplemental Disaster Assistance Programs rule change. federalregister.gov
- USDA press release, July 8, 2026 — "USDA Celebrates One Year Anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, Delivers Final Farmers First Program Improvements." usda.gov
- FSA ELAP Honeybee Fact Sheet. PDF
- DTN Progressive Farmer (July 9, 2026), "USDA Lowers Drought Aid Trigger and Increases Depredation Coverage." Link
About this page
What this is not. Not affiliated with USDA. Not legal or financial advice. Not a substitute for talking to a local FSA office, where individual ELAP eligibility and payment amounts are calculated against specific application records.
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