Financial Relief, Zero Interest, and Home Protection for Distressed Farmers
This Act provides a two-year deferral of payments and zero interest on direct farm loans for financially distressed farmers. It increases transparency in USDA loan decisions, makes it harder for the government to use a farmer's primary residence as collateral, and reforms the appeals process to favor lower-income applicants. These changes aim to stabilize farm finances and ensure fairer access to credit.
Key points
Two-year payment deferral and zero interest rate on direct farm loans for eligible distressed borrowers.
Limits the USDA's ability to use a farmer's principal residence as loan collateral; the home must be the last option for security.
Reforms the appeals process for low-income farmers (under $300,000 AGI): the agency must prove its denial was correct.
Prohibits restricting eligibility for new loans based on a farmer's previous debt write-down or financial loss.
Expired
Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_2668
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Process start date: 2023-07-27