USDA announces details of new Supplemental Disaster Relief Program 

Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced details of the new Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), which will include assistance for natural disaster related losses in 2023 and 2024. For a refresh on economic and disaster aid included in an end-of-year spending bill refer to UDSA provides update on economic, disaster recovery assistance. 

USDA launched sign-ups on July 9. USDA will be sending prefilled applications to eligible farmers in addition to offering sign-up at the local FSA office. There is $16 billion in available assistance through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). Assistance will be offered in two stages. The first is open to farmers with eligible crop losses that received indemnification under crop insurance or the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program during 2023 and 2024. SDRP stage two sign-ups for eligible shallow or uncovered losses will begin in early fall. It is important to note that there is a 35% payment factor for all stage one applications. This limits the total amount of assistance available to an individual farmer to not more than 35%. The payment factor helps to ensure all eligible farmers receive some level of assistance. FSA may issue a second payment depending on available funds. 

Additional program details are available on the USDA news release. 

USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, Loan Assistance Tool, and the FarmRaise online FSA education hub. Payment details will be updated here weekly. For more information, contact your local USDA Service Center.