USDA announces disaster relief for 2023/2024 crop losses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched the $16 billion Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to help farmers who suffered crop losses in 2023 or 2024 due to natural disasters. This program offers crucial financial assistance to those affected by extreme weather.

Eligible Losses

SDRP covers losses from wildfires, floods, hurricanes, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freezes, smoke exposure, excessive moisture and drought.

For drought: The loss must have occurred in a county with a D2 (severe drought) rating for eight consecutive weeks, a D3 (extreme drought) rating, or a higher intensity level during the applicable calendar year. Check your county's drought status at the official Drought Monitor for Texas .

Do You Qualify?

You're eligible if you had a qualifying crop loss and already received a crop insurance payment from the Risk Management Agency (RMA) or a Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) payment for those same losses.

How to Apply

Complete the FSA-526 application, Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) Stage One Application , and have the other necessary forms on file with your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

Notably, FSA will mail pre-filled applications to eligible producers starting July 9, 2025.

Sign-ups begin Thursday, July 10, 2025 , at county FSA offices.

How Payments Are Calculated

The program covers up to 90% of your total loss. Coverage is based on your existing crop insurance or NAP data, less any amounts already paid by your crop insurance, and then multiply the remaining amount by 35% to determine SDRP payments.

Important Future Requirement

If you receive SDRP funds, you must purchase crop insurance (or NAP) at 60% coverage or higher for the next two crop years. If you don't, you'll have to refund the SDRP payment, plus interest, to the USDA.

This is the initial stage of the two-part SDRP. Stage Two will address shallow or uncovered losses, including those of farmers without crop insurance, as well as quality losses, and is slated to commence in early fall. Additional details are available on the SDRP website.