USDA Opens Enrollment for $11B Farmer Bridge Payments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened enrollment for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, which provides $11 billion in one-time payments to eligible row crop producers.

The enrollment period begins Feb. 23 and runs through April 17, 2026. The program is intended to provide short-term financial support in response to trade market disruptions and increased production costs.

Bridge payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

Key Dates Farmers Should Know

• Enrollment opens: Feb. 23, 2026
• Application deadline: April 17, 2026
• Online applicants may receive payment as early as Feb. 28, 2026

“Improving the farm economy is our top priority at USDA, and we have simplified and streamlined the application process for the bridge program to ensure producers get the financial assistance they need as quickly as possible as we’re kicking off the spring planting season. President Trump continues to put farmers first. If our farmers are not economically able to continue their operations, then we will not be able to feed ourselves in this country,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Producers who want to further expedite their payment, can apply online through the program website and could receive a payment in their bank account as early as February 28, 2026. Putting Farmers First means providing economic relief now while the Trump Administration continues opening new markets and strengthening the farm safety net.”

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible commodities include:

Barley, Chickpeas, Corn, Cotton, Lentils, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, Crambe, Flax, Mustard, Rapeseed, Safflower, Sesame and Sunflower.

All intended uses for eligible commodities qualify except grazing, experimental, green manure, left standing or cover crops. Initial acres, double crop acres and subsequently planted acres are eligible. Prevent plant acres are not eligible.

Crop insurance coverage is not required to participate.

How Payments Are Calculated

FBA payments are based on:

• 2025 planted acres
• Economic Research Service cost of production data
• World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report

USDA previously released payment rates by commodity in December.

How to Apply

Producers who filed a timely 2025 crop acreage report for eligible commodities and have a Login.gov account can access pre-filled applications online at fsa.usda.gov/fba. Applications may also be requested through local FSA county offices.

April 17, 2026, is the deadline to submit completed applications, either online or to a county FSA office.

Login.gov Access

Login.gov provides a single, secure account for accessing government services, including FSA programs. Producers can create or use an existing Login.gov account to apply, certify and track payment status.

Related Program: Specialty Crops

On Feb. 13, USDA announced the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program, which also provides one-time bridge payments for specialty crop producers. Specialty crop growers must report 2025 acreage to FSA by March 13, 2026.

More information about FBA and ASCF is available at fsa.usda.gov/fba or through local FSA offices.