Trump Administration Announces $16 Billion Disaster Aid Program for Farmers

mike33692
6 days ago
2 min read

Oklahoma farmland with farmer and tractor

USDA Launches Supplemental Disaster Relief Program

The Trump Administration has announced that farmers impacted by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for $16 billion in assistance under the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP).

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said the program is designed to expedite help for agricultural producers suffering from crop losses due to extreme weather events.

“This is about getting relief into the hands of producers faster,” Rollins said.

Two Stages of Assistance for Farmers

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will deliver SDRP in two stages:

Stage One (now open): Producers with insured crop losses under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). Prefilled applications were mailed July 9, and in-person signups began July 10 at county FSA offices.
Stage Two (coming this fall): Will cover shallow losses, uninsured losses, and quality losses not eligible in Stage One.

Eligibility Requirements

Losses must have occurred in 2023 or 2024 due to disasters including:

Wildfires
Hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos
Flooding and excessive moisture
Winter storms, freeze events, polar vortex conditions
Excessive heat and drought

To qualify for drought relief, counties must have reached D2 severe drought for 8 consecutive weeks or D3 extreme drought or worse on the U.S. Drought Monitor during the applicable year.

Producers in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and Massachusetts are excluded, as those states will instead distribute aid through block grants.

Payment Calculations and Rules

Stage One payments are based on adjusted federal crop insurance or NAP coverage levels.
Payments will not exceed 90% of the loss and will include a 35% payment factor.
Additional rounds of payments could be issued if funds remain.
Farmers receiving SDRP funds must purchase federal crop insurance or NAP coverage for the next two crop years at 60% coverage or higher. Those who fail to do so must refund the payment plus interest.