The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin enrollment next week for the second stage of the Supplemental Crop Disaster Assistance Program. This expansion supports producers who experienced natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden says this phase covers losses that the first application window did not. It now includes shallow, uninsured, and quality losses.
“Across both stages, USDA will provide more than $16 billion in Congressionally approved aid,” Vaden says.
Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce says USDA expects to send payments a few days after approval.
Farmers with losses below their crop insurance deductible now qualify for compensation and a refund of crop insurance fees. “If a producer suffered a loss that did not exceed their crop insurance deductible, they will now be indemnified,” Fordyce says.
Support for Beef Operations
While this announcement does not include livestock-specific payments, it does offer help to operations that grow or store feed crops. The On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program provides up to $5 million for harvested crops kept on-farm that were damaged or destroyed during a disaster.
Producers with mixed operations—those growing corn, barley, hay, or forage—may qualify for additional support under the expanded Supplemental Disaster Program.
Possible Payment Adjustments
Vaden says USDA may increase final payment amounts if some funds remain unclaimed.
Application Deadlines
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On-Farm Stored Crop Loss Program: January 23, 2026
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Supplemental Disaster Program (both stages): April 30, 2026
