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.

Related Stories
Each spring, students from across Crawford County visit Arnold Family Farm for an annual u-pick strawberry festival that connects kids with agriculture.
Purdue University’s Dr. Michael Langemeier joins us to break down the latest read on farmer sentiment in the April Ag Economy Barometer, and growing concerns about the impact of global conflict on farm inputs and income.
The court’s decision to deny the defendant’s motion to exclude the expert’s testimony serves as a sharp reminder of the high burden required to exclude expert testimony, particularly in the agricultural context, where “experience” is often the currency of reliability.
Wyoming cowboy and Dusty Vaquero Days founder J.B. Zielke joins us to preview his upcoming event in Gillette and to highlight the festival’s celebration of cowboy culture through music and community events.
Members from across the state will gather for competitions, workshops and leadership opportunities.
The new county maps show farm program payments are widespread, but payment design still produces very different outcomes across regions and crops. AgriSompo’s Brooks York joins us to discuss the role of crop insurance in supporting mental health.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Accessing land is one of the biggest challenges facing the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
HTS Commodities broker Lewis Williamson joins us to break down the latest USDA Crop Progress Report and how weather and global supply chain issues could influence planting conditions moving forward.
Federal officials are signaling a more aggressive push on beef packer concentration, but any direct market impact will depend on what the investigation actually finds.
Higher freight rates and potential service disruptions are key concerns for agriculture, which relies heavily on rail to move commodities.
Pseudorabies case confirmed in Iowa herd prompts heightened biosecurity measures as U.S. swine producers work to prevent spread and protect herd health.
DOJ and USDA investigate beef industry concentration, with Big Four packers under scrutiny and a major settlement announcement expected later this week.