The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline for farmers to apply for Stages 1 and 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to Sept. 30. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing greater flexibility for farmers who experienced quality losses on eligible crops.
When applying for this program, farmers who experienced quality-related discounts can use verifiable and reliable documentation to show quality losses due to natural disasters occurring in 2023 and 2024. Farmers also now have the flexibility to use a quality loss percentage for crops having a final use that is different from their intended use.
“Coupled with these program enhancements, the extension helps simplify program requirements, encourages participation and ensures more eligible producers can access the assistance they need,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam.
SDRP provides more than $16 billion in disaster relief payments to producers who suffered revenue, quality or production losses to crops, trees, bushes or vines due to qualifying disaster events in calendar years 2023 and 2024. These payments are authorized under the 2025 American Relief Act.
Producers with indemnified losses can apply through SDRP Stage 1, which leverages Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) data as the basis for calculating payments. Producers with non-indemnified (including shallow losses), uncovered (uninsured) and quality losses can apply for Stage 2 assistance. Eligible producers can receive SDRP payments for both Stages 1 and 2, if applicable, and for one or both calendar years 2023 and 2024, depending on losses.
Growers can request an SDRP application or make an appointment online with their FSA county office.
Get more information from USDA about required documentation for SDRP quality losses and flexibility for quality-related discounts here. Additional details about the program are available here.
Source: USDA FSA
Share this Post