FSA Now Accepting Debit Cards to Make Loan Payments

The USDA's Farm Service Agency has made it easier for America's farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to make their payments instantly with a debit card or Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit. Producers are now able to instantly make payments toward their farm loan repayment, measurement service fees, farm program debt repayment, administrative service fees, and purchasing aerial maps.

"Our customers have spoken, and we've listened," says Bill Northey, USDA's Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. "Now, our customers can make electronic payments instantly by stopping in our offices or calling over the phone."

Although FSA will continue to accept payments such as paper checks and money orders, offering these new paperless payment options will improve the level of convenience and customer service to our producers.

"At USDA, we're focused on modernization to improve customer service," says Northey. "If half of our customers use these new payment options, we'll see a $1 million savings in one year. These new payment methods are one part of a much larger effort to expand options for our customers, as well as to make our services more effective and efficient."

It's free and secure: protecting your financial data and personal information is a top priority, Northey adds. The payments are made through Pay.gov, the U.S. Treasury's online payment hub that accepts electronic payment options directly from your bank account.