If your flock is infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza 

(HPAI), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide 

indemnity and compensation for some of your losses and costs. 

Here’s what you can expect.

Indemnity Payments for Birds and Eggs

USDA pays for birds and eggs that must be destroyed. We do 

not pay for birds that died from HPAI. The amount of your 

indemnity payment is based on your flock inventory and 

standard indemnity values. 

USDA and State animal health officials work with you to 

prepare an inventory as soon as HPAI is identified in your 

flock. The inventory lists all living animals in the flock and 

the current number of eggs on hand (if applicable). USDA 

uses standardized indemnity tables for birds that are specific 

to your industry segment and the species you have; we use 

standardized values for eggs that are specific to their use 

(table eggs or hatching eggs). To calculate the final amounts 

you will receive, we multiply the value per animal or egg by 

the number of live animals or eggs. 

Making a Claim

Because you will only be indemnified for live birds and HPAI 

spreads quickly and can be fatal to flocks, it is critical that 

you report sick birds immediately and begin the indemnity 

process quickly if you have an infected flock.

1. Work with your case manager or Field Reimbursement 

Specialist to fill out and sign an indemnity request form. 

2. USDA will begin depopulation work and prepare the initial 

indemnity value. You’ll receive paperwork indicating the 

indemnity amount. 

3. Register your business with the U.S. Government System for 

Award Management (SAM): sam.gov/content/entity-registration 

4. Complete and sign the paperwork (including your bank 

information and SAM registration information) and return it 

to your case manager or Field Reimbursement Specialist. 

5. You’ll receive payment from USDA via direct deposit in 

about 2–3 weeks. If you appeal the initial indemnity value 

(see “Fair Market Value of Your Birds” at right) and your 

appeal is successful, additional funds would be deposited 

at a later time. 

Fair Market Value of Your Birds

USDA indemnity values are updated annually based on 

nationally recognized data from our Agricultural Marketing 

Service and the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the 

Livestock Marketing Information Center, and other sources 

as appropriate. If you feel these national averages don’t 

adequately represent the fair market value of your birds, you 

may appeal the values by notifying your case manager or Field 

Reimbursement Specialist in writing within 15 days of receiving 

your initial indemnity value estimate. 

To support your appeal, you’ll need to obtain an independent, 

third-party appraisal report, prepared by a qualified appraiser, 

on the value of your birds. Any documentation you have (for 

example, your own inventory, receipts, etc.) will be useful to an 

appraiser. The appraisal can be completed after you’ve notified 

us of your intent to appeal; it does not need to be completed 

within the 15-day timeframe mentioned above.

Compensation for Other Costs

Compensation is handled separately from indemnity and covers 

several categories. Your case manager or Field Reimbursement 

Specialist will help you fill out the required paperwork for 

these claims.

Depopulation and Disposal

USDA or our contractors may carry out depopulation and 

disposal work and pay the costs directly. If you choose to assist 

in this work or hire your own contractors, we must approve 

those costs in advance and agree on the methods used. We then 

reimburse you based on receipts and records of work done. 

Indemnity and Compensation 

When Your Flock Is Infected

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

(see other side)
Learn more about how to protect your flock from HPAI and other diseases: 

aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/defendtheflock ▪ cdc.gov/flu/avianflu

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. APHIS-22-013 | Issued April 2022

Depopulation must be done under Federal and State 

supervision and in line with applicable regulations. Waterbased foam and carbon dioxide gas are the most humane and 

effective options available in an emergency situation with large 

numbers of birds. 

Disposal methods include composting, onsite burial, 

incineration, rendering, and landfilling. The method(s) chosen 

must follow all State environmental laws. Other factors we 

consider include the size of the flock, space requirements, and 

local conditions. 

Materials Destroyed

We will also compensate you for materials, such as 

contaminated feed or egg packaging, that must be destroyed 

because they cannot be safely or adequately cleaned. 

To receive compensation for these items, your Field 

Reimbursement Specialist must review and approve the 

items in writing before you remove or disassemble them. 

Virus Elimination

We pay flat rates for virus elimination activities, including 

barn preparation, a cleaning step, and a disinfection step. The 

amounts are calculated based on the area of the structures 

housing animals and eggs. Direct and early payment of a 

standard amount gives you the resources to conduct these 

activities yourself or retain and oversee contractors to do 

the work. 

If you decide to fallow your premises instead of completing 

virus elimination work, you are not eligible for virus elimination 

payments.

Questions? 

Talk with your case manager or Field Reimbursement 

Specialist, or call the nearest USDA Veterinary Services office 

(www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-health; click on “Contact Us”).