USDA announced an increase to Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) payments and extended the application deadline to August 12, 2026, giving farmers more time to access assistance for losses in 2023 and 2024. The previous payment factor rose from 35% to 70%, meaning farmers with approved applications will receive an additional 35% of their calculated payment. USDA has already distributed $6.7 billion through SDRP and is adjusting payments after further analysis to provide stronger financial support.

The extension applies to both:

  • Stage 1: producers who received an indemnity under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and
  • Stage 2: eligible crop, tree, bush and vine losses that were not covered under Stage 1 program provisions, including non-indemnified (shallow loss), uncovered and quality losses.

Eligible events include drought, floods, wildfires, excessive heat and other weather-related conditions, with specific drought qualifications tied to U.S. Drought Monitor intensity levels. For farmers, the higher payment rate and extended deadline may provide additional flexibility to finalize applications and capture more support tied to recent disaster losses.

https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/04/24/usda-issues-second-supplemental-disaster-payment-farmers-extends-program-application-deadline-august