WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is expanding its payment options to now accept debit cards and Automated Clearing House debit.
Agency customers can pay farm loan payments, measurement service fees, farm program debt repayments and administrative service fees, as well as purchase aerial maps, using these options.
“Our customers have spoken, and we’ve listened,” said Bill Northey, USDA’s undersecretary for farm production and conservation. “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.
While traditional collection methods like cash and paper checks will continue, offering the new alternatives will improve effectiveness and convenience to customers while being more cost effective.
“If half of our customers use these new payment options, we’ll see a $1 million savings in one year,” Northey said. “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.”
To learn more, contact Aroostook’s FSA county offices, located in Houlton, Presque Isle and Fort Kent, visit farmers.gov, or download the “Make Your FSA Payments Instantly” fact sheet.
