Farmers across the country have started receiving letters about USDA’s Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) — but what happens next?
We shared the basics in last week’s post, but now, thanks to a recent USDA webinar, we have new info on what’s coming — including updates about Stage 2, who it’s for, and what’s still unknown.
Here’s the latest:
✅ Quick Recap of SDRP Stage 1
- Stage 1 is for crops that were insured and experienced a qualifying loss during the 2023–2024 calendar years.
- Applications are already going out by mail for eligible producers.
- Eligibility is based on crop insurance and NAP data already reported by your AIP (Approved Insurance Provider) to the RMA.
📅 Stage 2: What We Know
- Stage 2 is set to open mid-September.
- It’s designed for crops that were insured but didn’t qualify for a loss under Stage 1.
- Both Stage 1 & 2 will share a combined deadline, but that deadline has not been announced yet.
- USDA has not specified if new paperwork will be required for Stage 2 or if mail notifications will go out like they did for Stage 1.
⚠️ Other Key Details
- Relief amounts will depend on your insurance coverage level at the time of the loss-causing event.
- There are limits to payouts based on program exclusions, coverage tier, and Substantial Beneficial Interests (SBIs).
- The USDA’s FAQ page is being updated regularly — you can check it here.
🧭 What Should You Do Now?
- If you got a Stage 1 letter: Don’t ignore it. Follow the steps inside.
- If you didn’t: Stage 2 may still apply — especially for crops that didn’t show a loss on record but were insured.
- As always, if you’re unsure, your CIMXag agent can walk you through what applies to your operation.
We’ll continue to keep you posted as more details become available.
