Harvest brings plenty of expenses, and increased input costs continue to put pressure on farm budgets. On October 19, 2026, the Trump administration announced the Harvest Fuel Relief (HFR) program, which will provide $8 billion in one-time payments to help eligible farmers address temporary market disruptions and increased input costs.
While additional details are still to come, here’s what USDA has announced so far.
How will payments be calculated?
The program will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and will use a uniform formula to cover a portion of estimated losses for the 2026 crop year.
Similar to the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, calculations will draw on:
- Planted acres reported to FSA.
- USDA cost-of-production estimates.
- USDA yield and price estimates.
Payment rates have not yet been announced, so producers cannot determine their payment amounts at this time.
When will more information be available?
USDA plans to release commodity-specific payment rates for Title I commodities in November 2026. Payment methods for other eligible commodities will be announced later.
The October 19 announcement did not include an application opening date or deadline.
Is crop insurance required?
USDA states that crop insurance will not be required to participate in the Harvest Fuel Relief program. However, relief payments cover only a portion of modeled losses, and USDA continues to encourage producers to use available risk management tools.
What can farmers do now?
USDA encourages eligible producers to create a Login.gov account linked to USDA ahead of the application period. Pre-filled applications will be available online for producers with linked accounts.
Producers can also watch for further USDA announcements and contact their local FSA office as eligibility and application details become available.
For non-Title I commodities, including specialty crops and fishing operations, USDA is accepting information about increased fuel costs at HarvestFuel@usda.gov to help inform payment-rate decisions.
At KDL Insurance, we’re here to help you review your crop insurance coverage and understand how it fits into your farm’s risk management plans. For Harvest Fuel Relief eligibility, applications and payments, your local FSA office will be the primary contact.
Information reflects USDA’s October 19, 2026, announcement. Additional program requirements and application details are pending.