According to Marca, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced new relief initiatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) aimed at assisting farmers and producers severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. This support comes through the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) program, which has identified eligible counties that will receive payouts. Insurance providers will have 30 days to distribute the funds, although payments often arrive sooner.
Overview of HIP-WI Program
Launched by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) in 2020, the HIP-WI program was expanded last year to include a Tropical Storm Option (TS). This program is designed to provide financial assistance to agricultural producers affected by hurricane winds.
Statement from Secretary Vilsack
“Several states across the southeast experienced devastating damages from Hurricane Helene, which caused significant destruction right before the fall harvest season,” said Secretary Vilsack. “The Biden-Harris Administration and USDA will support farmers through the recovery process for the long haul, and this includes today’s step of making innovative types of coverage available and getting funds into the hands of producers quickly.”
Financial Support for Producers
Through these initiatives, producers with the HIP-WI endorsement are set to receive over $233 million to cover losses from Hurricane Helene. This financial support aims to help farmers and rural areas recover swiftly from the storm’s devastating effects.
Previous Hurricane Relief Efforts
This latest round of funding adds to the $58 million already paid out for Hurricane Beryl, $214 million for Hurricane Debby, and $128 million for Hurricane Francine, which recently impacted the Gulf Coast and southeastern U.S. In total, more than $630 million in payments have been distributed under HIP-WI and TS in 2024, demonstrating the scale of assistance provided during this intense hurricane season.
Application Process for Assistance
Also read: Up to $7,500 in Checks for Americans: How to Claim Your Share of the $18.5M Settlement
Do Affected Producers Need to Apply?
Unlike traditional insurance claims, producers affected by Hurricane Helene do not need to file paperwork to receive HIP-WI payouts. Payments are automatically issued if a county meets the criteria for sustained hurricane winds, as identified by the RMA.
County Approval Details
Details regarding which counties have been approved for payments can be found in Product Management Bulletin 24-067 and local actuarial documents.
Additional Benefits for Producers
Producers eligible under HIP-WI will receive these payouts in addition to any benefits from their standard crop insurance policies, which are being processed through normal claims procedures.
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