Customer Service Information Guide

9/27/2011

Committed to the future of rural communities.

(CSC)

Customer Service

Information Guide

“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.”

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Programs, 300 7

Street SW, Room 400

(Stop 9430), Washington, DC 20024 or call (866)632-9992 (Voice), (202) 401-0216 (TDD/TTY Hearing Impaired

Only) or (202)720-8046 (FAX)

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INTRODUCTION

Your USDA Rural Development (RD) housing loan was originated and closed in a local Field Office where it

is serviced for the first year. After the first year it is serviced at Centralized Servicing Center (CSC)

located in St. Louis, Missouri. The CSC is available to assist you with your loan servicing needs. Our

mission is to provide you with friendly and accurate customer service that will assist you in becoming a

successful homeowner.

THE ROLE OF THE CENTRALIZED SERVICING CENTER (CSC)

Part of CSC’s mission is to provide services and counseling to help customers succeed as homeowners.

CSC provides a wide variety of services. Some of the most common are:

 Processing payments

. CSC ensures that you know how much to pay and when your payment is

due each month. Billing Statements are generally mailed 15 days prior to each payment due date.

Your billing statement

contains such information as your account number, principal balance, next

payment due date, and a breakdown of your payment amount.

 Managing escrow, taxes, and insurance

. You are required to pay real estate taxes, maintain

acceptable hazard insurance, and (if applicable) flood insurance. For customers with escrow

accounts, CSC is responsible for tracking escrow funds and paying taxes and insurance bills on

behalf of the customer.

 Assessing eligibility for payment subsidy

. If you receive payment assistance or interest credit

subsidies; your income must be reviewed periodically to ensure, that you are receiving the

correct amount of payment subsidy. Also, customers who are not receiving payment subsidy may

request this assistance if their financial situation changes.

 Final Payment

. CSC will provide information on how to obtain a final payoff, how a final amount

is calculated, and what documentation is needed for a final payment on your account.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

CustomerServiceTelephoneNumber:

Customer Service Representatives Hours of Operation:

Monday - Friday 7:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Central Standard Time (CST)

English/Spanish: 1-800-414-1226

PaymentCounselorTelephoneNumber: 

Counselor Representatives Hours of Operation:

Monday - Thursday 7:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. CST

Friday 7:00a.m. to 5:30p.m. CST

Saturday 7:00a.m to 1:00p.m. CST

English & Spanish: 1-800-793-8861

For Hearing Impaired Customers:

Monday through Friday 24 hours

TDD-CST 1-800-438-1832

TTY-RELAY 1-800-735-2466

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PaymentMailingAddress:

USDA, RD, Centralized Servicing Center

P. O. Box 790170

St. Louis, MO 63179-0170 NOTE: Always write your account number on your check

AddressforWrittenInquirie s:

USDA, RD, Centralized Servicing Center

P. O. Box 66889

St. Louis, MO 63166

Fax: (314) 457-4431

AddressforRegularandOvernightMailPayoffFundsRemittancesee

page20.

Interactive Voice Response

Interactive Voice Response allows you to access account information and make your payment 24 hours a

day, 7 days a week, without having to speak to a Customer Service Representative. The system actually

responds to options you select by pressing your telephone keypad.

To help ensure the security of account information provided, the

system

has been programmed to

require that your USDA mortgage loan number and the last four digits of your social security number be

input into the system before access is allowed.

To access your account, call 1-800-414-1226 and follow the prompts.

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Payment Options

Web Access

You can access your mortgage loan on-line by going to http://rdhomeloans.usda.gov . Once you have

accessed the website you will need to click ‘Login’ to access your mortgage account.

Eauthentication ID

An eAuth ID will be required for you to access your mortgage loan information. You may obtain an eAuth

ID by following the standard procedure.

Go to http://rdhomeloans.usda.gov

2. Click ‘Register’ at the bottom of the screen for a USDA ID and Password

3. Create an account on the ‘Create An Account screen.

4. Click Continue

5. Verify your Level 1 access information, then click Submit.

6. Complete all the required fields in steps 1 thru 4

7. Activate the account via email instructions:

A. Create an account on the “Create an Account screen”.

B. Click Continue.

C. Verify your Level 1 access information then Click Submit.

D. Complete all the required fields in steps 1 thru 4

E. Activate the account via email instructions.

The customer will be required to enter their eAuth ID and password in order to access their account. The

first time they access their account, they will be required to enter their mortgage account number and

the last four digits of their social security number. Once authenticated, they will no longer be required to

enter that information again.

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Preauthorized Debit (PAD)

A preauthorized debit is a free service that allows your payment to be automatically withdrawn from your

checking or savings account on the same day each month. See page 7 for additional information.

Customer Initiated Payment (CIP)

Customer Initiated Payment is a service that allows homeowners to have funds deducted from their

checking or savings account over the phone and applied to their mortgage account. Customers who

prefer monthly automatic withdrawals should go to the CSC MAI (mortgage account information) page or

apply for PAD. To make a payment call 1-800-414-1226 and press “option 5” at the main menu or hold for a

representative who can assist you with processing a CIP. The following information will be needed to make

a payment on your account using CIP:

1. Bank account number from which the funds will be withdrawn.

2. Bank routing number (This may be found on the bottom left hand corner of your check and will be nine

digits long). Note: For debits from your savings account

, please contact your bank to obtain your valid

routing number.

Western Union Quick Collect

To pay on an account through Western Union Quick Collect, you will need the following information:

(1) Account Number

(2) Company Name-USDA/RHS

(3) Code City-USDARURAL

(4) State-MO

To locate Western Union Service center call 1-800-325-6000. There is a fee involved for this

transaction. If you experience any problems with your money transfer, call the Western Union Quick

Collect Customer Service Department at 1-800-238-5772.

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Money Gram

To find a Money Gram location call (800) 926-9400. There is a fee involved for this transaction.

You

will need the following information to make a Money Gram Express Payment:

(1) Receive Code-2265

(2) Company Name-USDA/RHS

(3) City-St. Louis

(4) State-MO.

(5)

Account Number

PAYMENTS AND FEES

What is my payment?

Your scheduled payment consists of Principal and Interest. If an escrow account has been establish, the

payment will also include an amount for Taxes and Insurance. This is referred to as PITI. Payments are

not credited to your account until the full

scheduled payment amount is received.

When is my payment due?

Your payment due date is determined by the date of your loan closing. It is due each month on the

anniversary date of your loan, unless, your loan closing occurred on the 29th, 30th, or 31st of the month.

If your loan closed

after the 28th of the month, your payment is due on the 28th of the month. Note:

Your billing statement will show the due date of your payment.

Example 1: If your loan closed on March 15, 2011, your monthly payment is due on the 15

of each month.

Example 2: If your loan closed on March 30, 2011, your monthly payment is due on the 28

of each month.

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When do I get my billing statement?

Billing statements are generally sent at least 15 days before each payment is due. When mailing your

payment, you should always put your account number(s) on your check or money order. If you have more

than one account, you will only receive one billing statement, which will include the total amount due for

all loans. Be sure to include the billing statement along with your payment to ensure prompt processing.

What if I don’t receive a billing statement?

Call CSC at 1-800-414-1226 to let us know. We can make sure your loan is properly coded and advise you

know how to make your payment. You can use one of the other methods of payments

described on page

4. If you want to mail your payment

, see page 3 of this booklet.

Can I receive my billing statements in Braille?

Yes. If you would like to receive your monthly billing statement in Braille, please contact a Customer

Service Representative at 1-800-414-1226.

Can I make my payment with cash?

No. Acceptable forms of payment include preauthorized debit (PAD), checks, money orders, bank drafts

or electronic funds, which include, Customer Initiated Payments (CIP)/check by phone via the CSC’s

Mortgage Account Information website, Western Union, or Money Grams.

What is a preauthorized debit (PAD)?

Under a preauthorized debit payment, the monthly amount due is automatically withdrawn from your

checking or savings account on the same date each month. Each month you will receive confirmation that

your payment was withdrawn from your bank account. The confirmation of payment looks like a billing

statement. However, because your account is on PAD, the statement is for informational purposes only.

A preauthorized debit is the most reliable and convenient method of making your mortgage payment.

Since payments are automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account, payments are made

on time and there is no extra cost for postage.

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How do I establish a PAD Account?

To establish a PAD Account, contact a customer service representative at 1-800-414-1226.

What happens if I pay more than my payment amount?

When more than a full scheduled payment is received, any remaining funds in excess of your payment will

normally be posted to the principal balance of your loan.

What happens if I only send a partial monthly payment?

If less than a full scheduled payment is received, the partial payment will appear on your account

statement. However, the funds cannot be posted to your account until the total amount of your payment

has been received.

Example: If the payment amount is $300. A partial payment is made of $250. Until the additional $50 is

paid to equal the full payment amount, the $250 will be held in unapplied status and the payment will be

considered late until the total $300 is received.

If the full amount is not received by the due date, you may be contacted by a CSC counselor inquiring as

to when the remaining amount of the payment will be remitted. If a full payment is not received within 15

days of the due date, a late fee may be charged.

Can I round off my payment?

If you want to round off your payments, you must round your payment up to the nearest whole dollar. If

you round your payment down, the payment will be less than the full scheduled payment. The payment will

not post to your account possibly causing your payment to be considered past due.

Example: If rounding, $431.03 should be rounded up to $432.00.

The additional 97 cents will be applied to

principal as long as the payments on the account are paid up to date.

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If an amount over my regular payment is applied to principal, how can I pay my

monthly payment ahead of schedule?

If you wish to pay ahead on a scheduled installment payment, the extra amount must be for exactly the

next scheduled payment. CSC must be informed that this payment amount is intended to pay your loan

ahead of schedule and not to reduce the principal. Call 1-800-414-1226

What is a past due account?

An account is past due if the full scheduled payment amount is not received by the due date.

What is a late fee?

If your account is subject to a late fee, the late fee is assessed if a full payment is not received within 15

days of the payment due date. The late fee is calculated at 4 percent of the customer’s portion of the

principal and interest payment due on the account, unless State law requires a different rate. The late

fee will be charged on the 16

day after a payment was due and will appear on the next month’s billing

statement.

What if I can’t make my payment by the due date?

If you are unable to make your full scheduled payment by the due date, contact a CSC counselor at 1-800-

793-8861 as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide your name, account number, current address,

your telephone number and an alternate phone number where you can be reached, and the last four digits

of your social security number.

It is very important to advise CSC that you will be late, when you will be able to make the payment, and

the reason for the payment being late. This will allow the counselor to assist you by determining if there

are servicing options available that will help you. Also remember that if the payment is not made within 15

days of the due date, a late fee may be charged. The Agency must report the status of all accounts to the

credit bureau.

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What happens if I don’t contact CSC concerning a late payment?

If your account is past due, a letter will be sent to remind you of your past due amount. You may also be

contacted by a CSC counselor. The counselor will work with you to make suitable payment arrangements

to bring your account current and to provide any servicing options that are available to you based on

your situation. Remember if your payments are late, you may incur late charges as well as being

reported to credit bureau.

What are my options if I just can’t afford to keep my home?

Sale of the property is the most desirable option. It is generally the best opportunity for you to sell the

property at its highest value. You may want to contact your local Rural Development Office or a local real

estate agent to see if they have anyone that may want to purchase your home. Please contact a CSC

counselor at 1-800-793-8861 to discuss other options.

SPECIAL SERVICING OPTIONS

What is a Promise to Pay Agreement?

A Promise to Pay (PTP) is a firm commitment of payment arrangements made between you and a CSC

counselor to bring the account current within a specified amount of time.

What is a Delinquency Workout Agreement (DWA)?

A Delinquency Workout Agreement (DWA) is an approved plan to bring the account current. A DWA allows

you to pay an additional amount above the regular monthly payment to cure a past due amount. You must

show repayment ability based on an analysis of your financial circumstances conducted by CSC and meet

other eligibility requirements.

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What is a Moratorium?

A Moratorium “stops the clock” or suspends regular monthly payments for 6 months up to 2 years to

enable you to recover from a significant loss of income or unexpected expenses. This servicing action is

only considered if your income has been temporarily

lost or reduced due to circumstances beyond your

control such as loss of job, accident, illness, injury or death.

What if I don’t need a moratorium, but have had a decrease in my household

income?

You should contact CSC to see if you may qualify for additional payment assistance or subsidy.

What is a Reamortization?

A reamortization of your loan establishes a new, revised schedule of equal monthly payments of principal

and interest over the remaining term of your loan. There are certain eligibility requirements for a

reamortization.

If you are eligible, the principal, interest, missed payments, and any other charges are all rolled into a

new balance with a new scheduled monthly payment. This allows you to have a fresh start.

If you would like to apply for any of these special servicing options, please contact a CSC counselor at

1-800-793-8861.

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MAINTAINING ESCROW FOR TAXES AND INSURANCE

What is an Escrow Account?

An Escrow Account is an account to which you contribute monthly payments to cover the anticipated

costs of real estate taxes, hazard and flood insurance premiums (if applicable), and other related costs.

Insurance, taxes, and other assessments are paid by the Agency when they come due.

Can I pay my own taxes and insurance?

If you do not have an escrow account, you are responsible for paying your own taxes and insurance when

they become due.

What happens if I can’t pay my taxes and insurance when they are due?

Under the terms and conditions of your mortgage, you are responsible for maintaining property

insurance coverage and paying real estate taxes. If you fail to do so, CSC may pay the insurance and/or

taxes, and charge the cost to your account as a collectible fee. An escrow account will then be

established. You will be required to pay into an escrow account with your regular monthly payment, to

meet future taxes and insurance costs.

If I don’t have an Escrow Account, can I start one?

Yes. You may voluntarily establish an escrow account.

You will need to submit a copy of your most recent paid tax receipt, current evidence of insurance and a

signed written request to establish an escrow account.

This information should be mailed to the Escrow Set-Up Unit at the following address:

USDA/RD/CSC

Attention: Escrow Set-up Unit

P. O. Box 66805

St. Louis, MO 63166

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What is an “Annual Escrow Analysis”?

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (R.E.S.P.A.) requires all lenders to conduct an annual

escrow account analysis for each customer with an escrow account. The analysis is the method used to

determine whether current monthly deposits will provide sufficient funds to pay taxes and insurance. The

escrow analysis is completed every 12 months.

What is an Escrow Account Disclosure Statement?

An Escrow Account Disclosure Statement shows the account history and projects activity for the coming

year. It will reflect payments posted to the escrow account as well as disbursements made for the

payment of taxes and insurance.

Escrow Account Disclosure Statements are mailed annually. You may also request a copy by contacting a

customer service representative at

1-800-414-1226.

What is “Lender Placed” Insurance?

Lender Placed Insurance is insurance purchased by CSC to protect the Government’s investment in a

property when a customer has been unable or unwilling to provide evidence of insurance coverage.

Customers who have Lender Placed Insurance are not personally protected in the event of a loss. Lender

Placed Insurance only covers the principal and interest of the loan and does not provide for personal

effects, furniture or equity in the property, if any.

What do I do if I have damage to my home?

Contact your insurance agent. You will need to work with your insurance company to recover any losses.

You should also contact CSC so we can work with your local Rural Development Office or insurance

company, if needed.

If I do have a loss and get an insurance claim checks, do I get to keep the money?

No. Checks for insurance proceeds are made payable jointly to you and the Agency. If you receive an

insurance claim check, please call Customer Service at 1-800-414-1226 for assistance.

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PAYMENT SUBSIDY

What is a Payment Subsidy?

Payment subsidy reduces an eligible customer’s required monthly payments based upon their household

income. The amount of payment subsidy you receive may be subject to recapture (repayment) if the

property is sold, no longer occupied, or if the loan is paid in full. At loan closing, you are required to sign

a Subsidy Repayment Agreement, if eligible.

How can I receive Payment Subsidy?

If you are not currently receiving payment subsidies, generally you may become eligible for payment

assistance as a result of a decrease in income. Please call a CSC counselor at 1-800-414-1226 if you have

questions regarding payment subsidy.

What is a Payment Assistance Review (PAR)?

Payment assistance is generally granted for up to 2 years and a renewal packet is mailed to you for

completion 90 days prior to the expiration of the current agreement. However, during the term of the

assistance you are required to report on changes in household occupants and income to determine

whether you should continue to receive subsidy in the same amount.

What information is needed for a Subsidy Review?

1. A signed Payment Subsidy Renewal Certification RD Form 3550-21,

A signed Authorization to Release Information Form RD 3550-1 for each household member age 18

years and older,

A copy of the latest IRS 1040 federal tax return for each income earner living in the home. We cannot

accept Form 8453

(U.S. Income Tax Declaration for Electronic Filing).

If you filed electronically and do

not have a copy of the 1040, please call IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and request a printout that shows

gross income and a breakdown of income. This should be submitted instead of Form 8453.

Verification of Income - Verification of Income requires submission of the last two consecutive pay

stubs for all household wage earners, a benefit or award statement from SSI, Social Security,

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Retirement/Pension, Unemployment, AFDC, etc. for all household members receiving income other than

wages, and a copy of the Court Order/Divorce decree or a current 12-month history to verify child

support and/or alimony received.

What is Subsidy Recapture?

Subsidy recapture is when all or a portion of subsidy received over the life of a loan may be subject to

repayment when you sell or no longer occupy the security property.

How do I know if I will have to pay Subsidy Recapture?

If your loan was made after October 1, 1979, and you have ever received payment subsidy, the subsidy

received is subject to recapture (repayment).

If you are receiving payment subsidies, you must notify the Agency if income increases by more than 10

percent. You are responsible for reporting such changes to the Agency even if they occur outside

the normal review period.

When do I have to pay the Subsidy Recapture?

Subsidy recapture is due whenever you pay your loan in full, or when you transfer the title as when the

property is sold. See Final Loan Payment

on bottom of page 17.

You may contact CSC at 1-800-414-1226 for additional information.

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Service Members Civil Relief Act of 2003 (SCRA)

The Service Members Civil Relief Act of 2003 (SCRA) formerly known as the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Civil

Relief Act of 1940 (SSCRA) is the federal law that gives all military members some important rights as

they enter active duty. One of the most widely known benefits under the SSCRA and now the SCRA is the

ability to reduce pre-service consumer debt and mortgage interest rates to 6% under certain

circumstances. The SCRA protections are not automatic, but require some action to invoke the Act. To

obtain a reduction of your pre-active duty mortgage with the Rural Housing Service you must send us a

written request and a copy of your mobilization orders to:

USDA/RD/CSC

ATTN: FC244,

P. O. Box 66818,

St. Louis, MO. 63166-6818.

(Be sure and indicate your account number on each page.)

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REFINANCING WITH PRIVATE CREDIT

Will I be asked to refinance my Rural Development Loan?

The goal of our program is to make our homeowners successful and to ultimately have them refinance

with private credit. Twice each year, a certain number of customers that appear to be capable of

refinancing are asked to seek refinancing with commercially available lending institutions, i.e. mortgage

companies, banks or savings and loan companies. If your current financial situation indicates you may be

able to refinance, the Agency will require that you apply for private credit.

FINAL LOAN PAYMENT

Can I pay my loan off early?

You may elect to prepay the loan by making additional payments on the principal balance or by making a final

payoff. There are no prepayment penalties if you pay off the loan prior to the maturity date.

How can I find out how much I owe on my loan?

To find out how much is owed on a loan, you may request payoff information from CSC by telephone or fax. If you

only need an estimate of the final payment amount owed, you may call the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) at

1-800-414-1226. You will need to access the Estimated Loan Balance Quote option. For further information on

accessing the IVR

, see page 3. You may also fax your request to the Payoff Department at 314-457-4433 or mail

the request to:

USDA/RD/CSC

P.O. Box 790301

St. Louis, MO 63179

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What types of Payoff Quotes are there?

Statement of Loan Balance

- The statement of Loan Balance is not a payoff statement, but provides

instructions on how to receive a final payoff statement and includes the outstanding balances of your loan

to include principal, interest, fees, late charges, and total amount of payment assistance (subsidy)

granted over the life of the loan.

Final Payoff Statement

-The Final Payoff Statement is based on the anticipated account balance at the

proposed payoff date, and the recapture amount calculated with additional information that has been

provided by you. This statement indicates the actual amount you will be required to repay on the

proposed payoff date.

What do I need to get a Final Payoff Statement?

The information needed to receive a Final Payoff Statement will vary slightly, depending on the action that

you are taking to pay off your loan. Once all the required information is received by CSC, it normally

takes 3-5 business days to obtain a Final Payoff Statement.

If selling the property, provide the Payoff Department:

 Signed Sales Contract and/or a current appraisal report (less than one year old) prepared by a

certified appraiser.

 Estimated Settlement Statement completed by the closing agent.

 Signed Authorization Statement for the release of information to a third party. Please include the last

four digits of your social security number and account number on the authorization.

 Date of the payoff.

 If requesting consideration for capital improvements, a separate addendum must be completed by the

appraiser itemizing any added value

for each improvement.

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If refinancing the property, provide the Payoff Department:

 Current appraisal report (less than one year old) prepared for the lender by a certified Appraiser.

 Good Faith Estimate

Estimated Settlement Statement completed by the closing agent.

 Date of the payoff.

 Signed Authorization Statement for the release of information to a third party. Please include the last

four digits your social security number and account number on the authorization.

 If requesting consideration for capital improvements, a separate addendum must be completed by the

appraiser itemizing any added value

for each improvement.

If paying off the loan but not refinancing or selling the property, provide the Payoff Department:

 Current appraisal report (less than one year old) prepared by a certified appraiser.

 Signed statement indicating you are remaining in the property.

 If requesting consideration for capital improvements, a separate addendum must be completed by the

appraiser itemizing any added value

for each improvement.

Where do I submit my final payoff amount?

Regular Mail for Payoff Checks:

USDA/RD/CSC

PO Box 790301

St. Louis, MO 63179-0301

Overnight Payoff Funds Only:

USDA/RD/CSC

SL-MO-C2US

PO Box 790301

1005 Convention Plaza

St. Louis, MO 63101

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OTHER INFORMATION

Can I rent the property?

One of the conditions of being eligible for an Agency loan is for you to personally occupy the property.

However, if you are not living in the home, you are no longer eligible for servicing options including

subsidy assistance. If you are currently receiving subsidy and decide to rent your home, your payment

will increase to the full note rate.

Please contact CSC at 1-800-414-1226 if you are considering renting

your property.

I heard that CSC could take my tax refund if I am late making my payments. Is this

true?

If your account is delinquent, The Agency is required by law to report your account to the U.S. Treasury.

Other federal payments, such as an income tax refund, may be offset (intercepted) to pay the delinquency

on your loan.

What if I need money for repairs to my home?

It may be possible for you to be eligible for a repair loan or grant. Please contact your local Rural

Development office for additional information.