**GAO-10-548**                      Published: Jun 04, 2010. Publicly Released: Jun 04, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides programs to help farmers recover financially from natural disasters. Congress has historically supplemented these programs with ad hoc programs that pay farmers who experienced crop losses. The 2008 farm bill established a program through 2011 to pay farmers who lose crops. To receive these payments, farmers must purchase coverage under federal crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, and receive claims payments for losses. GAO was asked to evaluate (1) how FSA administered the crop disaster programs for losses from 2001 through 2007 and the results of payments under these programs and (2) what lessons FSA can learn from the previous crop disaster programs to manage its new crop disaster program. GAO reviewed statutes, regulations, and guidance; analyzed USDA data; and interviewed USDA officials.

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## Topics

Agriculture and Food

Agricultural programsClaims processingClaims settlementCrop insuranceData collectionDisaster relief aidEconomic assistanceEligibility determinationsFederal aid programsFederal aid to statesFraudInsurance claimsLessons learnedLossesNatural disastersPaymentsProgram evaluationRisk managementComplianceProgram implementation