Rural Money: Navigating Stage Two of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer explains the USDA’s Stage Two Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, including application details, deadlines, and guidance for rural producers.

KENNEWICK, Wash. (RFD-TV) — Billions of dollars in federal disaster assistance are on the way to farmers and ranchers as USDA begins rolling out Stage Two of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program. Applications are scheduled to be mailed out on Monday, and producers will have until the end of April to return them.

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to walk producers through what to expect from this next phase of assistance and how to prepare for the application process.

In his interview with RFD-TV, Neiffer outlined the key details producers need to know, including the extended timeline for submitting applications and what information USDA will require. He explained how the agency is mailing applications directly to eligible producers and discussed how farmers can confirm they are on the recipient list or obtain the necessary forms if they do not receive them automatically.

Neiffer also addressed a major question for farm operations heading into tax season — whether Stage Two payments can be deferred into the 2026 tax year — and provided guidance on what producers should evaluate before making that decision.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

From tinkering with machines to building projects from scratch, students in the National FFA Organization develop skills to help shape future careers.
Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, joined us to break down the latest data on Canadian farmland values and share insights on how it impacts producers.
Lewis Williamson, from HTS Commodities, joined us to share insights on the farm economy from producers in the field.
Key signs of the U.S. beef herd’s recovery are improved pasture conditions, lower feed costs, and increased regulatory alignment and support for producers to implement targeted grazing practices.
Dr. Mark Svoboda with the National Drought Mitigation Center discusses a new global drought report and resources to help operations increase drought resilience.
Treat financial stress as a health risk—know the warning signs, normalize conversations, and connect farm families to local and national support early.