Q: When are Plan and Certification Forms due?
A: You may apply for the MDRP on a rolling basis. There is no deadline and applications will be processed, as received.
Q: How often do I need to apply for a partnership?
A: You only need to apply once, per partnership. Once approved, the partnership approval is good for the duration of the MDRP. If a partnership is formed with a new entity, it requires the submission of new Plan and Certification forms.
Q: What will AMS reimburse?
A: Reimbursements are limited to no more than 100 percent of the difference between the Class I milk price at the plant location (where the donated milk was processed) and the lowest class price for the applicable month (either Class III or Class IV).
Q: Who is eligible to participate?
A: This program requires participation by a participating partnership made up of an eligible dairy organization and an eligible distributor.
An eligible dairy organization is a dairy farmer, either individually or as part of a cooperative, or a dairy processor, that accounts to an FMMO pool and incurs qualified expenses by accounting to the pool for fluid milk product donations.
An eligible distributor is a public or private non-profit organization able to distribute donated milk.
An eligible partnership is a partnership between an eligible dairy organization and an eligible distributor. A participating partnership is an eligible partnership whose application has been approved by AMS.
Q: What is the application and reimbursement process?
A:
- Step 1: Eligible dairy organization partners with eligible distributor
- Step 2: Eligible partnership submits a Milk Donation and Distribution Plan and Eligible Distributor Certification Form: www.ams.usda.gov/mdrp.
- Step 3: Pending review, AMS approves eligible partnership to become participating partnership
- Step 4: Eligible dairy organization donates fluid milk products via eligible distributor
- Step 5: Eligible dairy organization submits MDRP Reimbursement Claim Form: www.ams.usda.gov/mdrp, and relevant documentation.
- Step 6: AMS reimburses eligible dairy organization
Q: In addition to the MDRP Reimbursement Claim Form, what kind of documentation does my organization need to provide to receive reimbursement?
A: Your organization needs to provide proof of donation through documentation that might include, but is not be limited to: processing and shipping records; bills of lading; storage records; and/or receiving records from the eligible distributor. See the MDRP Reimbursement Claim Form Overview: www.ams.usda.gov/mdrp.
Q: My organization wants to donate dairy products, not beverage milk. Are my donations eligible for reimbursement?
A: Only Class I fluid milk products (including flavored milks) produced and processed in the United States are eligible for reimbursement under this program.
Q: What specifications must the donated milk products meet?
A: Milk products for donation must meet the commodity specifications detailed in “Commodity Specifications for Fluid Milk and Milk Products Eligible for the Milk Donation Reimbursement Program”: www.ams.usda.gov/mdrp.
Q: How often will AMS issue reimbursement payments?
A: Once your plan has been approved, claims can be submitted at any time. AMS will review, process, and issue payments for reimbursement claims on a quarterly basis.
Q: Can my organization be reimbursed for transportation expenses?
A: No, this program does not reimburse for transportation expenses.
Q: Where can I find information on classified milk prices in my area?
A: Refer to the Market Administrator Website for your area to find data on classified milk prices, as well as other statistics.
Q: When will I know if my organization’s plan was approved?
A: AMS will review applications and notify applicants regarding approval or disapproval for program participation.