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Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP): Additional Support for Agricultural Producers

The SDRP provides additional financial assistance to producers who experienced crop losses due to qualifying natural disasters in 2023-2024, supplementing your existing crop insurance payments.

Understanding the SDRP Program

What is SDRP?

The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) is designed to provide additional assistance to agricultural producers who suffered losses due to qualifying disaster events in 2023 or 2024.

Unlike standalone disaster programs, SDRP works directly with your existing crop insurance by potentially providing additional payments beyond what your policy already paid.

Two-Stage Approach

  • Stage 1: Based on indemnified crop insurance losses
  • Stage 2: Covers "shallow losses" not addressed by crop insurance

Qualifying for SDRP Assistance

Federal Crop Insurance Indemnity

You must have received a crop insurance indemnity payment in 2023 or 2024 to be eligible for SDRP assistance Stage 1 Payments.

Examples of Qualifying Disaster Events

  • Drought conditions (D2 for 8+ weeks or D3+)
  • Derecho
  • Excessive heat
  • Excessive moisture
  • Freeze
  • Flooding
  • Hurricanes
  • Wildfire
  • Smoke Exposure
  • Tornado
  • Winter Storm

Example of Non-Qualifying Events

Losses caused solely by hail or market price declines do not qualify for SDRP assistance. Your loss must be tied to an eligible disaster event.

The program is designed specifically for weather-related disasters that impact production, not for market-based revenue losses or isolated weather events like hail.


How SDRP Payments Are Calculated

Existing Loss Data

FSA uses your Risk Management Agency (RMA) data from your crop insurance claim - no need to resubmit loss information.

Recalculation at Higher Coverage

FSA recalculates indemnities at a higher SDRP coverage level, then subtracts what you already received while adding back your premium and administrative fees.

Payment Factor

Initial payments are multiplied by a 35% payment factor. Additional payments may be issued later if program funds remain available.

The SDRP Application Process

Streamlined Application

The FSA has created a producer-friendly application process that leverages existing crop insurance data:

  1. Pre-filled FSA-526 forms are mailed directly to potentially eligible producers
  1. You must certify that your loss was caused by a qualifying disaster event
  1. Return the completed form to your local FSA office
  1. FSA will process your application and determine payment eligibility

Required Documentation for SDRP

1

Drought Documentation

For drought-related losses, the U.S. Drought Monitor must show your county experienced D2 (severe drought) conditions for 8+ consecutive weeks or D3+ (extreme drought) at any point during the growing season.

2

Heat/Moisture Documentation

For excessive heat or moisture claims, gather supporting evidence such as:

  • Photos of crop damage
  • Crop insurance adjuster notes
  • Historical weather data for your area
  • County Extension reports
3

Insurance Claim Paperwork

Contact your crop insurance agent to obtain copies of your loss adjustment paperwork, which may include photos, adjuster notes, and officially documented cause of loss.

The burden of proof is on you as the producer to demonstrate that a qualifying disaster affected your production.

Real-World SDRP Scenarios

Scenario 1: Clear Drought Loss

Your 2023 crop insurance claim clearly lists drought as the cause of loss. Your county appears on the Drought Monitor with D2+ conditions for the required period.

Outcome: You likely qualify for SDRP assistance with minimal additional documentation.

Scenario 2: Mixed Causes of Loss

Your claim shows hail as the primary cause, but your crop was already stressed from excessive heat before the hailstorm hit.

Outcome: You may qualify if you can provide evidence that the qualifying disaster (excessive heat) contributed to your production loss. Gather weather data, photos, and expert testimony.

Scenario 3: Price-Based Revenue Loss

Your revenue insurance policy paid an indemnity solely due to market price declines, with no weather-related production losses.

Outcome: You likely do not qualify for SDRP as price-related losses without an associated qualifying disaster event are not eligible.

Next Steps and Resources

Action Items

  1. Review your 2023-2024 crop insurance claim forms to identify causes of loss
  1. Confirm whether your losses were due to qualifying disaster events
  1. Gather supporting documentation if the qualifying disaster isn't clearly indicated
  1. Contact your local FSA office with questions about your specific situation
  1. Watch for your pre-filled FSA-526 form in the mail

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