Washington, DC — If you need to make a payment at your local FSA office, you now have more options than the traditional cash and check.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is expanding its payment options to now accept debit cards and Automated Clearing House or ACH debit. These paperless payment options enable FSA customers to pay farm loan payments, measurement service fees, farm program debt repayments, and administrative service fees, as well as to purchase aerial maps.
Spirit Lake farmer and USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, Bill Northey says, “Our customers have spoken, and we’ve listened. Finding ways to improve customer service and efficiency is important for our farmers, ranchers, producers, and forest landowners who work hard for our nation every day. Now, our customers can make electronic payments instantly by stopping in our offices or calling over the phone.”
Previously, only cash, check, money orders and wires were accepted. By using debit cards and ACH debit, transactions are securely processed from the customer’s financial institution through Pay.gov, the U.S. Treasury’s online payment hub. This is part one of the rollout of the new payment methods, so make sure that your desired method of payment is accepted for the type of payment you are making by contacting your FSA county office. To find your FSA office, visit farmers.gov.
