USDA increases disaster payments for farmers and extends the SDRP deadline to August 12

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will issue a second round of payments through its Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), giving more financial help to farmers hit by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced in Missouri that the payment factor will go from 35% to 70%, which doubles the amount of aid for eligible producers with approved applications. So far, the agency has distributed $6.7 billion through SDRP.

The USDA has also moved the application deadline for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the program to August 12, 2026, instead of the previous April 30 deadline. This gives producers and administrators more time to handle updates that could affect payments. SDRP Stage 1 covers losses already paid out under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Stage 2 covers losses that were not covered, including those affecting crops, trees, bushes, and vines.

The Farm Service Agency runs the program as part of a larger federal relief effort. According to the USDA, more than $17.9 billion in disaster assistance has been provided as required by Congress, along with extra help through commodity, livestock, and bridge assistance programs. Losses must come from qualifying natural disasters such as drought, floods, hurricanes, or wildfires that happened in 2023 or 2024. For drought, eligibility depends on U.S. Drought Monitor severity ratings.

For more information, visit