Revision of the Interest Assistance Program

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is amending its regulations governing how FSA guaranteed farm loan borrowers may obtain a subsidized interest rate on their guaranteed farm loan. This program is known as the interest assistance (IA) program. Changes include deletion of annual review requirements, limitations on maximum subsidy payments and period of assistance, and streamlining of claim submission. The changes are intended to reduce paperwork burden on program participants and agency employees, make IA available to more farmers, reduce the costs of the program, and enhance the fiscal integrity of the program.