New Disaster Aid Brings Hope To Struggling West Texas Farmers

West Texas farmers just got a big win—and this time, it didn’t come from the rainclouds. It came from Washington, D.C.

Arrington: 'Long Overdue Relief'

Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) is tipping his hat to President Donald Trump and newly-appointed Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for delivering what he calls “long-overdue relief” to farmers and ranchers across the South Plains and beyond who’ve been clobbered by years of record drought, extreme heat, and Mother Nature’s worst.

READ MORE: Rep. Jodey Arrington Named First-Ever ‘Taxpayer Defender of the Month’

Arrington said via press release:

West Texas producers are the backbone of this country. They feed and fuel the world—and they’ve been left high and dry for far too long under a mismanaged disaster relief program.

Supplemental Disaster Relief Program

The new aid package, officially known as the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), will deliver $16 billion in fast-tracked funding to producers who suffered crop losses in 2023 and 2024. This is part of a broader, $30 billion federal disaster relief package greenlit by Congress and now rolling out under the Trump Administration.

Arrington wasn’t shy about pointing fingers. He blamed the Biden-era USDA for slow payments and discriminatory practices, saying funds were unfairly delayed due to race- and sex-based criteria.

Disasters don’t discriminate. Neither should disaster aid.

What You Need to Know

• Stage 1 of SDRP launched July 10th, allowing eligible farmers to apply in person at local FSA offices.

• Pre-filled applications based on previous crop insurance or NAP claims are currently being mailed out.

• To qualify, losses must have occurred in 2023 or 2024 from things like drought, floods, winter storms, wildfires, or excessive heat.

For those in Lubbock County and the surrounding area, the biggest help may be the speed—applications and payments that used to take over a year under the old process could now hit accounts in record time.

READ MORE: Lubbock's Arrington Backs Farm Bill Overhaul to Boost Ag Support and Cut Spending

But don’t sleep on it. Anyone who gets paid out under SDRP must carry federal crop insurance or NAP coverage at a 60% level or higher for the next two years—or risk having to pay the money back.

More Info for Farmers

Farmers can find full details, including forms and eligibility tools, at farmers.gov or by visiting their local USDA Service Center.

More rain would help, but in the meantime, Uncle Sam is finally cutting some checks. And for folks around here, that’s a forecast we can get behind!