USDA opens disaster aid program for 2023–24 crop losses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched the first phase of its relief program for producers who suffered eligible natural disaster-related crop losses in 2023 and 2024.

The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) opens for applications at USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices on July 10, with prefilled applications mailed to producers beginning July 9.

The program will be delivered in two stages. Stage one consists of the FSA launching a prefilled application process for crop, tree and vine losses. Stage Two, expected to begin in early fall, will cover shallow and non-indemnified losses.

Stage one assistance will also only cover losses from natural disaster events and related conditions. The agency lists wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freezes (including polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture and qualifying drought.

Producers in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine and Massachusetts are not eligible for SDRP payments. These states opted for separate block grants funded through $220 million provided by the American Relief Act.

Drought-related losses must have occurred in counties classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor as experiencing D2 (severe drought) for at least eight consecutive weeks, D3 (extreme drought) or a higher intensity during the applicable year.

Recipients of SDRP payments are required to purchase federal crop insurance or NAP coverage at a minimum 60% level for the next two crop years. Failure to comply will result in repayment of the SDRP amount, plus interest.

Details on Stage Two, which will address shallow and quality losses, will be released in the fall.

This program is part of a broader USDA initiative to distribute $30 billion in disaster aid in 2025. According to USDA, more than $7.8 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) payments and $1 billion in Emergency Livestock Relief Program payments have already been issued for losses in 2023 and 2024.