WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the second stage of its Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), releasing additional federal assistance for farmers and ranchers recovering from natural disaster impacts in 2023 and 2024. The update was outlined in a press release from the agency on Monday.
According to USDA, its Farm Service Agency will distribute more than $16 billion in Congressionally approved SDRP funding nationwide. The new phase covers crop, tree, bush, and vine losses not addressed under the program’s first stage, including shallow losses, uncovered losses and certain quality losses. Producers may begin applying for Stage Two on November 24, with applications open until April 30, 2026.
The first stage of SDRP, announced in July, remains available to producers with qualifying crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program indemnities tied to 2023 and 2024 disaster events. USDA reported that more than $5.7 billion has already been issued through Stage One.
The department noted that block grants for Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and Massachusetts will cover losses in those states, making producers there ineligible for SDRP payments.
USDA also highlighted two related disaster programs opening for enrollment on November 24:
- Milk Loss Program — Offers up to $1.65 million for dairy operations that dumped or lost milk due to qualifying disaster events in 2023 and 2024.
- On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program — Provides up to $5 million for producers who lost harvested commodities stored on-farm during qualifying disasters.
Applications for both programs close January 23, 2026.
In total, USDA says it has provided more than $16 billion in supplemental disaster assistance since March 2025 through SDRP, the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program and the Emergency Livestock Relief Program.
Information and program fact sheets are available on USDA’s website.
