Trump administration opens $16 billion disaster aid program for farmers hit by 2023–24 losses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), making $16 billion available to agricultural producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. The initiative, announced by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, is part of a broader effort to expedite federal aid to the farming sector under a Congressionally mandated $30 billion disaster relief package.

Beginning July 10, producers who received indemnity payments under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) may apply for SDRP Stage One assistance in person at local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. Pre-filled applications are being mailed to eligible producers starting July 9. A second phase of the program, covering non-indemnified shallow and quality losses, will open later this fall.

“American farmers are no stranger to natural disasters that cause losses that leave no region or crop unscathed,” said Secretary Rollins. “Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA has worked around the clock to deliver this relief directly to our farmers.”

The expedited rollout contrasts with what USDA officials described as significantly longer implementation timelines under the previous administration, with some programs taking up to 19 months to disburse payments.

To date, USDA has disbursed over $7.8 billion under the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) and more than $1 billion under the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for drought and wildfire-related losses in 2023 and 2024.

Program Details

Eligibility

Losses must have occurred during the 2023 or 2024 calendar years due to natural disasters, including drought, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, winter storms, tornadoes, excessive heat or moisture, freeze events, smoke exposure, and derechos. Drought-related losses must have taken place in counties classified as D2 (severe drought) for at least eight consecutive weeks or as D3 or greater, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Producers in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and Massachusetts are excluded from SDRP payments, as these states opted for separate USDA block grants to cover losses under the American Relief Act.

Application Process

Eligible producers must submit form FSA-526 and have necessary documentation on file. Stage One payments are calculated by deducting previous indemnity payments from the SDRP-calculated payment. Payments will cover up to 90% of losses with a payment factor of 35%. A second disbursement may be issued if funds remain.

Insurance Requirement

Recipients must obtain crop insurance or NAP coverage at a minimum of 60% for the next two crop years. Failure to comply will require repayment of SDRP funds with interest.

Stage Two

Details for Stage Two—covering shallow or quality losses not eligible for Stage One—will be provided in fall 2025.

Additional information, eligibility tools, and program updates are available at farmers.gov.