Prevention of Payments to Deceased Persons

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is amending regulations as required by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill) to clarify the regulations governing payments earned by persons who die, disappear, or are declared incompetent before the payment is made. The payments must have been timely requested by that person themselves or by an authorized representative. These amendments are intended to clarify payment provisions and to prevent incorrect payments, particularly with respect to instances where persons have died. Payment eligibility where the payment was earned by persons who have since died is the subject of a specific 2008 Farm Bill requirement addressed in this rule.