§ 1417.8 — How to apply.

§ 1417.8 How to apply.

(a) FSA county offices will begin accepting OCCSP applications for a program year on the date announced by CCC. Applications may be submitted in person, electronically, or by mail or FAX.

(b) To apply for OCCSP through an FSA county office, a producer or handler must submit all of the following:

(1) Form CCC-884, Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) Application;

(2) USDA organic certificate; and

(3) Itemized invoices showing allowable certification costs paid to a third-party certifying agency or State organic program during the program year for which the application is submitted.

(c) Applicants may be required to provide additional documentation to FSA if necessary to verify eligibility or issue a payment. FSA may contact an applicant's certifying agent to verify the information provided by an applicant.

(d) The deadline to apply through an FSA county office for the 2025 program year is December 31, 2026. For 2026 and future program years, the deadline to submit CCC-884 and other required documents to an FSA county office is December 31 following the end of the program year.

(e) If a producer or handler pays allowable costs during a program year but does not receive their initial organic certification until after the OCCSP deadline for that program year, the deadline for the producer or handler to apply through an FSA county office is 30 days after receiving their organic certification, subject to the availability of funding. Applications will not be accepted by participating State agencies after December 31 following the end of the program year.

(f) Producers and handlers applying through a participating State agency must follow the application process and deadlines announced by the State agency.