The USDA has opened Stage 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). Producers must now submit a new application to receive these payments. This is different from SDRP Stage 1, which used pre-filled applications sent directly to producers.
Stage 2 will provide additional financial relief to farmers who experienced shallow or non-indemnified losses during the 2023 or 2024 calendar year. This includes losses that werenโt covered by crop insurance or NAP (Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program), as well as some losses that didnโt trigger a crop insurance claim.
What SRDP Stage 2 Covers
SDRP Stage 2 is intended to help producers with losses from natural disasters such as:
- Drought
- Flood
- Freeze (including polar vortex events)
- Wildfire, smoke, or related weather impacts
Losses must have occurred during calendar years 2023 or 2024, and qualifying droughts must meet the USDAโs definition of either eight consecutive weeks of D2 (severe drought) or any period of D3 (extreme drought or higher).
A full list of eligible drought-impacted counties can be found on USDAโs website or through your local FSA office.
How to Apply
The USDA will not be mailing applications to producers. Instead, producers need to take action and apply through one of the following methods:
- In person at your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office
- Electronically using Box and OneSpan
- Email or fax submission to FSA
Producers who had crop insurance and shallow losses may have pre-filled application data available for review but submission is still required.
The deadline to apply is April 30th, 2026.
Eligibility Still Being Clarified
USDA has released a Fact Sheet that provides parameters for eligibility. At this time, eligibility requirements remain somewhat unclear, particularly for producers with partial or specialty crop losses. PRM is actively monitoring USDA updates and will provide further guidance as additional details are released.
What You Should Do Now
If your operation experienced crop losses in 2023 or 2024 calendar year and those losses were not fully covered by insurance, you should prepare to apply for SDRP Stage 2.
Watch for further updates from PRM as eligibility and payment calculations become clearer.
Weโll continue to provide timely information to help you make the most of every USDA relief opportunity. If you have any questions at this time, you can contact your Risk Management Advisor.
