Notifying the FSA (USDA) when someone dies
Executor is responsible for notifying the FSA (USDA)
OverviewWhen someone dies
FSA National Call Center
Phone1-877-508-8364
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern
Local FSA County Office
Phone1-877-508-8364
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time (hours vary by office)
Local USDA Service Center
Phone1-877-508-8364
Timeline
CRP contract successor must sign within 60 days; estate retains ARC/PLC eligibility for 2 program years after death; loan continuation is ongoing
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time (hours vary by office)
Verified Jul 2026
When someone dies, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA (USDA)) must be notified. The executor is responsible for notifying the FSA (USDA).
Notification deadline: As soon as possible; CRP contract successor must sign within 60 days.
Steps to take
Steps for notifying the FSA (USDA) and applying for survivor benefits:
1
Notify the local FSA county office or USDA Service Center:
- •Find your local office at farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
- •Provide a certified copy of the death certificate
- •FSA will review all active contracts, loans, and program enrollments for the deceased
2
For FSA farm loans (Operating, Farm Ownership, Emergency):
- •If the surviving spouse or co-borrower is on the note, the loan continues automatically with scheduled payments
- •If an heir inherits the property but is not on the note, FSA may continue the loan if payments are maintained
- •Heirs may formally assume the loan under 7 CFR Part 765, Subpart I
- •For guaranteed farm loans, contact both the commercial lender and the FSA county office
3
For CRP contracts:
- •The successor (heir or new owner) must sign a revised CRP-1 contract within 60 days
- •If the successor signs timely, no refund of prior CRP payments is required
- •Annual rental payments are prorated: the estate receives payment from October 1 to the date of death
- •If no successor signs within 60 days, the CRP contract is terminated
4
For ARC/PLC and other farm program payments:
- •File Form FSA-325 to claim any outstanding payments owed to the deceased
- •The estate retains automatic eligibility for 2 program years after the year of death
- •After the 2-year period, petition the County Committee for continued eligibility
- •A surviving spouse who takes over operations should update FSA records as the new operator
5
Consult a licensed attorney for farm succession planning, especially for heirs' property (undivided ownership by multiple heirs without probate resolution).
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Form FSA-325 (Application for Payment of Amounts Due Persons Who Have Died)
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration
- Last will and testament or affidavit of heirship
- Deed or county tax records (for establishing land association)
- Revised CRP-1 contract (for CRP succession, signed within 60 days)
- Loan assumption agreement (for formal farm loan assumption)
Timeline
CRP contract successor must sign within 60 days; estate retains ARC/PLC eligibility for 2 program years after death; loan continuation is ongoing
Survivor benefits
Farm Loan Continuation
Under 7 CFR 765.451, FSA will continue farm loans (Operating, Farm Ownership, Emergency) with a surviving spouse or co-borrower who is already liable for the debt. FSA may also continue loans with heirs who inherit the property but are not on the note, provided they make scheduled payments and fulfill all borrower responsibilities. Loans may also be formally assumed under 7 CFR Part 765, Subpart I.
Eligibility: Co-borrower, surviving spouse, or heir who inherits the farm property
How to apply: Contact the local FSA county office to discuss loan continuation or assumption; provide death certificate and proof of inheritance
Learn more →CRP Contract Succession
When a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participant dies or transfers the enrolled land, the new owner or operator (including an heir) must become a successor to the CRP contract within 60 days, or such other time period as the Commodity Credit Corporation determines (7 CFR 1410.51). The original CRP-1 contract must be revised to reflect the new participant. If the successor signs within 60 days, the estate is not required to refund previous CRP payments. Annual rental payments are prorated between the predecessor (or estate) and successor.
Eligibility: Heir or new owner who acquires CRP-enrolled land through inheritance
How to apply: Contact the local FSA county office within 60 days; sign the revised CRP-1 contract
Learn more →Farm Program Payments (ARC/PLC and Other Programs)
Outstanding farm program payments owed to a deceased participant can be claimed by heirs using Form FSA-325. Payments are distributed in a strict order of precedence: executor first, then surviving spouse, children, parents, siblings, and finally heirs-at-law. The estate retains automatic ARC/PLC eligibility for 2 program years after the year of death; after that, the County Committee determines continued eligibility.
Eligibility: Executor, surviving spouse, children, or other heirs per 7 CFR Part 707 order of precedence
How to apply: File Form FSA-325 (Application for Payment of Amounts Due Persons Who Have Died) at the local FSA county office
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Under 7 CFR 765.451, FSA will continue the loan with a co-borrower or surviving spouse who is already liable for the debt. FSA may also continue the loan with an heir who inherits the property and makes scheduled payments. Alternatively, the heir may formally assume the loan. Contact the local FSA county office immediately to discuss options.
Yes. Under 7 CFR 1410.51, the heir or new owner who inherits the enrolled land may become a successor to the CRP contract by signing a revised CRP-1 contract within 60 days (or such other time period as the Commodity Credit Corporation determines). If the successor signs timely, no refund of prior CRP payments is required. If no successor signs within 60 days, the contract is terminated.
File Form FSA-325 (Application for Payment of Amounts Due Persons Who Have Died) at the local FSA county office. Payments are distributed in a strict order: executor, surviving spouse, children, parents, siblings, then heirs-at-law. Provide a death certificate and proof of your relationship to the deceased.
For FSA-guaranteed farm loans, the primary relationship is between the commercial lender and FSA. When the borrower dies, contact both the lender and the local FSA county office. The lender manages loan servicing, and FSA coordinates on any modification, assumption, or liquidation of the guaranteed loan.
If the deceased held an ownership interest in a legal entity such as a corporation, trust, LLC, or was a member of a joint operation or general partnership that participates in FSA programs, a representative of the organization should contact the local FSA county office as soon as practicable. Updated information on the legal entity or joint operation will be required to establish continued eligibility for program benefits.
After completing the notification process, eligible survivors can apply for 3 benefits through the FSA (USDA). Each benefit has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Keep copies of all documents submitted to the FSA (USDA). Original documents submitted for verification are typically returned after processing.
FSA National Call Center
Phone1-877-508-8364
WebsiteVisit website→
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern
Local FSA County Office
Phone1-877-508-8364
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time (hours vary by office)
Local USDA Service Center
Phone1-877-508-8364
Timeline
CRP contract successor must sign within 60 days; estate retains ARC/PLC eligibility for 2 program years after death; loan continuation is ongoing
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time (hours vary by office)
Verified Jul 2026