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(Updated Jan. 21, 2021) The * denotes a new or updated item.

USDA Implements Immediate Measures to Help Rural Residents, 

Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2021 – USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help

rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep 

our customers, partners and stakeholders continuously updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural 

America. 

Visit www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirus for information on Rural Development loan payment assistance, application 

deadline extensions and more.

COVID-19 RESOURCES

On April 13, 2020, USDA unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, 

organizations and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource 

Guide (PDF, 349 KB) is a first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership 

opportunities to help address this pandemic.

On May, 4, 2020, USDA released a summary of key service changes to increase the use of telehealth in 

response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes will help ensure that more rural residents can access care 

when and where they need it during this pandemic. This summary is intended to help interested parties 

understand the telehealth changes that have been made and explore new ways to support health care providers 

as they increase or transition to virtual care services.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF

Rural Housing Service

Single-Family Housing

Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants:

• USDA issued guidance on March 20, 2020, about steps the Department is taking to help you continue to 

successfully operate the Self-Help Program.

• USDA is working with Self-Help Program grantees, funding partners, real estate professionals and other 

interested stakeholders to maintain excellent customer service, while prioritizing the safety of our 

customers and staff.

• Among other guidance, the announcement included limiting workers at the building site to family 

members or small groups of 10 or less. The announcement discouraged volunteer labor outside of 

immediate household members, especially for higher-risk populations. Rural Development (RD) 

acknowledged this alternative method of construction had the potential to delay construction and noted 

that impacted grantees could make requests for amendments and time extensions in accordance with RD 

Instruction 1944-I, 1944.420 as early as practical. 
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• Self-Help grantees seeking amendments, time extensions, and refunding will be evaluated on a case-bycase basis on factors such as Lower Rates of Production, Equivalent Units (EUs) and Technical 

Assistance (TA) cost per EU. Grantee organizations must work with their regional Technical and 

Management Assistance (T&MA) Contractors to develop realistic extension requests and applications 

for refunding. The T&MA Contractors are aware of the potential for needed flexibilities and are ready 

to assist in any way they can. Please contact Rural Development and Regional Technical and 

Management Assistance contractor staffs so that we may offer additional assistance. 

• For organizations utilizing Self-Help Opportunity Program (SHOP) funds, the following information 

was provided by HUD in a letter dated May 5, 2020: “In terms of program policy guidance, the Office of 

Rural Housing and Economic Development staff will work with grantees to offer flexibility on some 

reporting requirements as well as provide program/project extensions based on the individual grantee’s 

request relating to specific grant activities, in accordance with the terms of each executed grant 

agreement. HUD’s decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis as a result of the merits of the 

individual grantee’s request and the grant agreement terms.”

• Furthermore, HUD published the FY2020 SHOP NOFA on Grants.gov on June 18, 2020 with an 

application deadline of August 18, 2020.

Single Family Housing Direct Loan and Guarantee Programs:

Effective January 20, 2021, with the exception of vacant or abandoned dwellings, foreclosures and related 

evictions for borrowers with USDA single family housing Direct and Guaranteed loans are suspended through 

March 31, 2021.

Direct Loan Program:

• USDA has waived or relaxed certain parts of the application process for Single-Family Housing Direct 

Loans, including site assessments, and has extended the time period that certificates of eligibility are 

valid.

• A Direct Loan borrower who is experiencing a reduction of income can request a Payment Assistance 

package to see if he/she is eligible for payment assistance or for more assistance than currently received.

• Moratorium assistance for up to 180 days (total of 1 year) is available for Direct Loan borrowers 

experiencing financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 emergency. You can call us 

and verbally request a payment moratorium. Borrowers have the option to cancel the moratorium at any 

time or request the moratorium be extended up to an additional 180 days. At the end of the 1-year time 

period, these 502 Direct borrowers can request the moratorium be extended up to an additional year 

making it a total of 2 years. However, the borrower must submit a moratorium application and meet 

eligibility criteria to be granted that last year.

• Direct Loan questions should be directed to USDA’s Customer Service Center at 800-414-1226. 

Beginning July 6, 2020, regular hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Central Time 

(CT).

Guaranteed Loan Program:

Extension of Temporary Exceptions: The temporary exceptions issued on March 27, 2020 pertaining to 

appraisals, repair inspections and income verifications for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program 

(SFHGLP) due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been extended until February 28, 2021 and apply to the 

requirements in the program handbook HB-1-3555 for new loans, described below.
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• Residential Appraisal Reports – Existing Dwelling: For purchase and non-streamlined refinance 

transactions, when an appraiser is unable to complete an interior inspection of an existing dwelling due 

to concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, an “Exterior-Only Inspection Residential 

Appraisal Report”, (FHLMC 2055/FNMA 2055) will be accepted. In such cases, appraisers are not 

required to certify that the property meets HUD HB 4000.1 standards. The appraisal must be completed 

in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Practice (USPAP) and the Uniform Appraisal 

Dataset (UAD). This exception is not applicable to existing manufactured housing pilot program, new 

construction properties, or construction to permanent loans. As a reminder, appraisals are not required 

for streamlined and streamlined-assist refinance transactions.

• Repair Inspections – Existing Dwelling: Loans for which a completion certification is not available due 

to issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a letter signed by the borrower confirming that the work 

was completed is permitted. Lenders must also provide further evidence of completion, which may 

include photographs of the completed work, paid invoices indicating completion, occupancy permits, or 

other substantially similar documentation. All completion documentation must be retained in the loan 

file. This exception is not applicable to rehabilitation and repair loans noted in section 12.28 of HB-1-

3555

• Verbal Verification of Employment: Lenders should use due diligence in obtaining the most recent 

income documentation to verify the borrower’s repayment ability prior to closing. When the lender is 

unable to obtain a Verbal Verification of Employment (VVOE) within 10 business days of loan closing 

due to a temporary closure of the borrower’s employment, alternatives should be explored. For example, 

email correspondence with the borrower’s employer is an acceptable alternative to a VVOE. If the 

lender is unable to obtain a VVOE or acceptable alternative, the requirement will be waived when the 

borrower has a minimum of 2 months cash reserves. In the case of a reduction pf income, the borrower’s 

reduced income must be sufficient to support the new loan payment and other non-housing obligations. 

Borrower’s with no income or those receiving unemployment benefits at the time of closing are not 

eligible for SFHGLP loans regardless of available cash reserves.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Additional FAQs related to the origination and servicing of USDA 

Single Family Housing Guaranteed loans have been added to the previously posted FAQs. The revised 

document has been posted to the USDA LINC Training and Resource Library.Questions regarding 

program policy and this announcement may be directed to the National Office Division at 

sfhgld.program@usda.gov or (202) 720-1452. 

• To implement and align with the provisions of the CARES Act:

o Effective immediately upon receiving a request for a forbearance from a borrower who attests to 

financial hardship directly or indirectly caused by COVID-19, lenders shall provide immediate 

forbearance of the borrower’s guaranteed loan payment for a period of up to 180 days. In 

addition, the initial forbearance period may be extended up to an additional 180 days at the 

borrower’s request.

o During the forbearance options outlined above, no accrual of fees, penalties or interest may be 

charged to the borrower beyond the amounts calculated as if the borrower had made all 

contractual payments in a timely fashion. 

o Upon completion of the forbearance, the lender shall communicate with the borrower and 

determine if the borrower is able to resume making regular contractual payments. If so, the 

lender shall offer the borrower a written re-payment plan to resolve any amount due or at the 

borrower’s request, extend the loan term for a period that is at least the length of the forbearance.
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o If the lender determines the borrower is financially unable to resume making contractual 

payments at the end of the forbearance, the borrower shall be evaluated for all available options 

presented in the Loss Mitigation Guide which is found at Attachment 18-A in Chapter 18 of our 

3555 Technical Handbook: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/3555-1chapter18.pdf

o Effective period: Lenders may approve the initial 180-day COVID-19 Forbearance no later 

than March 31, 2021.

• Guaranteed Loan servicing questions should be directed to: sfhgld.program@usda.gov. For more 

information, visit the following web pages: 

o SFHGLP Lending Partner Webpage: https://www.rd.usda.gov/page/sfh-guaranteed-lender

o SFHGLP webpage: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housingguaranteed-loan-program

o USDA LINC Training and Resource Library:https://www.rd.usda.gov/programsservices/lenders/usda-linc-training-resource-library

o Procedure Notices: https://www.rd.usda.gov/resources/directives/procedures-notices

Multi-Family Housing

• * Multi-family borrowers should reach out to their assigned servicing staff if they are experiencing 

financial hardship due to COVID-19. 

• * The CDC Eviction Moratorium has been extended through March 31, prohibiting evictions for tenants 

who cannot afford to pay rent due to COVID-19.

• * Tenant certifications that cannot be completed in a timely manner due to COVID-19 can be extended 

with no late fees or overage charges, upon request to the assigned servicing staff. 

• * Section 515 Annual Financial Statements due March 31, 2021 may be extended for 30 days or longer 

if needed, upon request to the assigned servicing staff (HB-2- 3560 Chapter 4, Section 4.16-H). 

• * Owners must process an interim recertification at the tenant’s request if there is a change income of 

$50 or more per month. The owner should already have this policy in writing and apply it consistently. 

To the maximum extent possible, owners are encouraged to work with all tenants with impacted income 

to adjust rent payments. 

Community Facilities

• Effective May 12, 2020, through September 30, 2020, the USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan 

Program will temporarily allow borrowers with direct loans to request payment deferrals to assist those 

that are experiencing temporary cash flow issues due to the pandemic.

• On a case-by-case basis, USDA will provide the option of principal and interest payment deferrals to 

borrowers impacted by COVID-19 for up to one year due to hardship. The borrower must request any 

payment deferments from the Agency in writing.

• For additional information, please see page 22009 of the April 21, 2020, Federal Register.

• Effective March 31, 2020, until September 30, 2020, lenders may offer 180-day loan payment deferrals 

without prior agency approval for Community Facilities Loan Guarantees. For additional information, 

see page 17721 of the March 31, 2020, Federal Register.
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• On April 8, 2020, USDA expanded upon the deferral flexibilities it announced March 31, 2020. 

Guaranteed lenders may also approve and make covered loans under the provisions of Section 1102 of 

the CARES Act. Section 1102 pertains to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection 

Program.

• The expanded notice provides that guaranteed lenders may also approve and make covered loans under 

the provisions of Section 1102 of the CARES Act. Section 1102 pertains to the Small Business 

Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.

• Guaranteed lenders must notify USDA Rural Development in writing of any covered loans made under 

Section 1102 of the CARES Act. Written notification will meet the standard for concurrence until Sept. 

30, 2020. After Sept. 30, 2020, lenders must resume obtaining Agency approval in accordance with all 

applicable program regulations, forms and existing authorities. For additional information, see page 

19655 of the April 8, 2020, Federal Register.

• On April 24, 2020, USDA provided guidance on the resources provided in the Paycheck Protection 

Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (HR.266) recently passed by Congress and signed into law 

by President Trump.

o Current borrowers in USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loan program who apply for a loan 

through the PPP are not required to obtain prior written consent. However, borrowers must 

continue to follow program requirements for additional debt requests and requests involving the 

subordination or parity of security.

o Community Facilities lenders may also approve and make covered loans under the PPP. 

Guaranteed lenders must notify USDA Rural Development in writing of any covered loans made 

under the PPP. Written notification will meet the standard for concurrence until Sept. 30, 2020.

Rural Utilities Service

USDA is waiving RUS borrower covenant requirements for loan agreement financial ratios for the period from 

Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020. Additionally, USDA is waiving all financial reporting requirements 

associated with existing Rural Utilities Service (RUS) loan and grant covenants beginning Jan. 1, 2020 through 

Aug. 31, 2020.

ReConnect Pilot Program

• The CARES Act provided $100 million in additional funding to the program. USDA received 11 Round 

2 ReConnect Program applications that were eligible for this funding. 

• On June 25, 2020, USDA began to announce awards for ReConnect Round 2 beginning with recipients 

of the CARES Act funding. USDA will continue making announcements as these projects are awarded. 

Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT)

• Rural Development was provided an additional $25 million in the CARES Act for the DLT grant 

program. USDA issued a stakeholder announcement on April 14 on the funding. This funding was used 

to establish a second application window for Fiscal Year 2020 which closed on July 13, 2020. RUS is 

currently reviewing these applications. 

• RUS also is reviewing the first round of applications for Fiscal Year 2020 for the DLT program which 

closed on April 10, 2020. RUS anticipates making announcements on the first round of DLT awards as 

early as mid-August 2020. 

Telecommunications and Electric
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• USDA extended the deadline for the Telecommunications and Electric program borrowers and grantees 

to submit their annual CPA audit to August 31, 2020. 

• USDA is waiving borrower covenant requirements for loan agreement financial ratios for the period 

from Jan. 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020. Additionally, USDA is waiving all financial reporting 

requirements associated with existing RUS loan and grant covenants beginning Jan. 1, 2020 through 

Aug. 31, 2020

• The RUS Administrator has delegated authority to the RUS Telecommunications, Electric, and Water 

and Environmental Programs to consider requests to waive certain site inspection requirements during 

the current COVID-19 National Emergency.

• Applicants will be able to use alternative methods to notify the public, such as through 

videoconferences, teleconferences and public notices on websites and in local newspapers, as a 

substitute for the public meeting notification requirement for water and waste projects.

• On a case-by-case basis, USDA will help Electric Program borrowers gain access to obligated funds 

more quickly at current low interest rates by considering extensions of loan terms (within statutory 

limits); considering requests to move obligated funds between the Electric Program’s six budget 

purposes where the new purpose has cleared environmental review; and by considering Temporary 

Normal Inventory (TNI) requests.

• On April 24, 2020, USDA provides guidance on the resources provided in the Paycheck Protection 

Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (HR.266) recently passed by Congress and signed into law 

by President Trump.

o Depending on the program, USDA Electric, Telecommunications and Rural Energy Savings 

Program borrowers are required to seek prior written consent of the Rural Utilities Service 

(RUS) for additional outside indebtedness pursuant to certain terms in the regulations and loan 

documents.

o For those borrowers where prior RUS consent would be needed, RUS waives the requirement of 

consent for any loan made by the SBA under the PPP as published in the Federal Register, 

provided RUS is notified of the SBA emergency loan before execution. Borrowers must continue 

to follow program requirements for additional debt requests and requests involving the 

subordination or parity of security.

o The Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued an interim final rule that clarifies the 

eligibility of electric cooperatives for the Paycheck Protection Program. Electric cooperatives 

that are 501(c)(12) eligible are approved to access the program by the SBA. Furthermore, USDA 

has approved usage of the Paycheck Protection Program provided electric cooperatives notify the 

RUS if they end up using that resource. They do not need pre-approval to do so.

• USDA is providing the following guidance for RUS regulated borrowers who have received SBA 

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds:

o PPP loan funds should be initially recorded as debt. 

o Any PPP loan funds that are included on work orders submitted to RUS for financing, must be 

removed from all financing requests regardless of whether the PPP funds are forgiven. This will 

prevent duplicate financing of these costs through the Federal Government. (Please note, the 

costs do not have to be removed from the assets constructed or retired unless the loan is 

forgiven). 
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o If PPP loan funds are subsequently forgiven, the expenses and/or workorders along with assets 

constructed or retired should be credited for any forgiven PPP loan funds used for these 

purposes. 

o RUS cannot provide an opinion or advise on whether PPP loans made to RUS borrowers will 

qualify for forgiveness. That decision will be made by SBA. 

o This guidance is based on the current status of SBA's PPP and given that many variables in this 

program are unknown at this time, our guidance may be updated to reflect any new 

circumstances related to the PPP.

o If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact the Technical Accounting 

Review Branch at SM.RD.CMPL.TARB@usda.gov.

Water and Waste Disposal Program

• Effective March 31, 2020, until September 30, 2020, lenders may offer 180-day loan payment deferrals 

without prior agency approval for Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees. For additional 

information, see page 17721 of the March 31, 2020, Federal Register.

• On April 8, 2020, USDA expanded upon the deferral flexibilities it announced March 31, 2020. 

Guaranteed lenders may also approve and make covered loans under the provisions of Section 1102 of 

the CARES Act. Section 1102 pertains to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection 

Program.

• The expanded notice provides that guaranteed lenders may also approve and make covered loans under 

the provisions of Section 1102 of the CARES Act. Section 1102 pertains to the Small Business 

Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.

• Guaranteed lenders must notify USDA Rural Development in writing of any covered loans made under 

Section 1102 of the CARES Act. Written notification will meet the standard for concurrence until Sept. 

30, 2020. After Sept. 30, 2020, lenders must resume obtaining Agency approval in accordance with all 

applicable program regulations, forms and existing authorities. For additional information, see page 

19655 of the April 8, 2020, Federal Register.

• On April 24, 2020, USDA provides guidance on the resources provided in the Paycheck Protection 

Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (HR.266) recently passed by Congress and signed into law 

by President Trump.

o Current borrowers in USDA’s Water and Waste Disposal loan program who apply for a loan 

through the PPP are not required to obtain prior written consent. However, borrowers must 

continue to follow program requirements for additional debt requests and requests involving the 

subordination or parity of security.

o Water and Wastewater lenders may also approve and make covered loans under the PPP. 

Guaranteed lenders must notify USDA Rural Development in writing of any covered loans made 

under the PPP. Written notification will meet the standard for concurrence until Sept. 30, 2020.

• RUS will temporarily grant Water and Waste Disposal infrastructure borrowers in good standing the 

ability to apply for assistance to address temporary cash flow issues due to the pandemic. On a case-bycase basis, options include principal and interest payment deferrals and other financial restructuring 

measures. Principal and interest calculations will be adjusted to reflect the new outstanding balance. The 

borrower must request any payment deferments from the Agency in writing. 

For assistance, please contact: 
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• Electric Program: Christopher McLean, Christopher.mclean@usda.gov, 202-407-2986

• Telecommunications Program: Laurel Leverrier, Laurel.Leverrier@usda.gov, 202-495-9142

• Water and Environmental Programs: Edna Primrose, Edna.Primrose@usda.gov, 202-494-5610

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

Business & Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program

Effective May 22, 2020, USDA is making available up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to help rural businesses 

meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, agricultural producers that are 

not eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency loans may receive funding under USDA Business & Industry 

(B&I) CARES Act Program provisions included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security 

(CARES) Act.

In addition to expanding eligibility to certain agricultural producers, the changes allow USDA to:

• Provide 90 percent guarantees on B&I CARES Act Program loans; 

• Set the application and guarantee fee at two percent of the loan; 

• Accept appraisals completed within two years of the loan application date; 

• Not require discounting of collateral for working capital loans, and 

• Extend the maximum term for working capital loans to 10 years.

B&I CARES Act Program loans must be used as working capital to prevent, prepare for or respond to the 

effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The loans may be used only to support rural businesses, including 

agricultural producers, that were in operation on Feb. 15, 2020. 

USDA intends to consider applications in the order they are received. However, the Department may assign 

priority points to projects if the demand for funds exceeds availability. 

USDA announced the expanded B&I authorities in a notice published on page 31139 of the May 22 Federal 

Register. The Department began accepting B&I CARES Act applications for loan guarantees on May 22, 2020. 

Applications will be received continuously through midnight Eastern Daylight Time on September 15, 2021, or 

until funds are expended. Program funding expires Sept 30, 2021.

Additional Guaranteed Programs

Effective March 31, 2020, until September 30, 2020, lenders may offer 180-day loan payment deferrals without 

prior agency approval for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, and Rural Energy for America Program Loan 

Guarantees. For additional information, see page 17721 of the March 31, 2020, Federal Register.

On April 8, 2020, USDA expanded upon the deferral flexibilities it announced on March 31, 2020. Guaranteed 

lenders may also approve and make covered loans under the provisions of Section 1102 of the CARES Act

pertaining to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.

The expanded notice provides that guaranteed lenders may also approve and make covered loans under the 

provisions of Section 1102 of the CARES Act without prior Agency approval.

On April 24, 2020, USDA provided guidance on the resources provided in the Paycheck Protection Program 

and Health Care Enhancement Act (HR.266) recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President 

Trump.

• USDA’s guaranteed Business & Industry, Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) programs may 

approve and make covered loans under the PPP. Guaranteed lenders must notify USDA Rural 

Development in writing of any covered loans made under the PPP. Written notification will meet the 

standard for concurrence until Sept. 30, 2020.
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Programs for RBCS Intermediary Borrowers

• RBCS intermediary borrowers continue to have authority to service loan portfolios independent of 

USDA. Intermediary borrowers participating in these programs may approve loan payment deferrals for 

their borrowers without USDA approval. These programs are:

o Intermediary Relending Program (IRP)

o Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG)

o Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDL and REDG)

o Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) 

• For existing Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) and Rural Economic Development Loan (REDL) 

borrowers, the Agency is committed to maintaining well-capitalized intermediary lenders and will work 

with intermediaries on loan servicing requests on a case-by-case basis to make sure they remain a pillar 

in our rural business communities. 

Rural Cooperative Development Grants Program

• USDA is making $5.8 million in grants available under the Rural Cooperative Development Grant 

(RCDG) program to help improve economic conditions in rural areas. Nonprofit corporations and 

institutions of higher education are eligible to apply to provide technical assistance to individuals and 

rural businesses.

• Fiscal year 2019 award recipients who received a grant period extension due to a loss of operations as a 

result of the coronavirus pandemic are eligible to apply for fiscal year 2020 funding. 

• Electronic applications must be submitted to grants.gov by midnight Eastern Time on August 3, 2020. 

Additional information is available on page 39870 of the July 2 Federal Register.

NEW AND EXTENDED APPLICATION DEADLINES

USDA is extending or opening new application windows for the following programs:

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

• USDA announced the expanded B&I authorities in a notice published on page 31139 of the May 22 

Federal Register. The Department will begin accepting applications for B&I loan guarantees on May 22, 

2020. Applications must be received no later than midnight Eastern Daylight Time on September 15, 

2021, or until funds are expended. Program funding expires Sept. 30, 2021.

• USDA announced the extension of the application deadline for the Rural Business Development Grant

(RBDG) program to no later than April 15, 2020 in an Unnumbered Letter posted March 19, 2020.

• USDA extended the application deadline for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) to April 

15, 2020. For additional information, see page 16925 of the March 25, 2020, Federal Register. 

Rural Utilities Service

• USDA extended the application deadline for the ReConnect Pilot Program to April 15, 2020. For 

additional information, see page 17530 of the March 30, 2020. Federal Register.

• USDA opened a second application window for funding under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine

(DLT) grant program. Electronic applications for window two may be submitted through grants.gov
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beginning April 14, 2020 and are due no later than July 13, 2020. Paper applications will not be 

accepted under the second window. 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.