INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM: OA20-001




1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Stop 0801
Washington, DC  20250-0801

Date

April 23, 2020

To:

All Approved Insurance Providers
All Risk Management Agency Field Offices
All Other Interested Parties

From:

Martin Barbre, Administrator /s/ Martin Barbre    4/23/2020

Subject:

Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program and Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program+ Linkage Requirements
Background
The Risk Management Agency (RMA) has received several questions about the Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP) and Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program+ (WHIP+) administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Specifically, RMA has been asked if the Occurrence Loss Option (OLO) available under the Nursery Value Select (NVS) pilot program can be used to meet linkage requirements under WHIP and WHIP+.
Action
If a producer purchases the Occurrence Loss Option with the 50 percent buy up coverage level or higher, the producer will meet the WHIP and WHIP+ linkage requirement of 60/100 or equivalent coverage provided they adhere to all other requirements of these programs. Producers should contact their local service center (www.farmers.gov) for questions regarding WHIP and WHIP+ and their local crop insurance agent for questions regarding crop insurance coverage options (www.rma.usda.gov/en/Information-Tools/Agent-Locator-Page).

DISPOSAL DATE:
Until modified or rescinded
USDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider