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Single
Family Home Loan Borrowers
To improve service and cut taxpayer costs, USDA Rural
Development created the Centralized Servicing Center (CSC), which uses an automated system
to expand benefits to new and existing home loan borrowers nationwide. The CSC services
all USDA Rural Development single family housing loans. If you need to ask about a loan,
call the toll-free number at 1-800-414-1226.
How can I contact the CSC about my home loan?
The CSC's toll-free phone number is 1-800-414-1226. Press
"1" for English, and "2" for Spanish (marque "2" para
Espanol). TDD: 1-800-438-1832. The address is:
USDA Rural Development
Centralized Servicing Center
P.O. Box 66889
St. Louis, MO 63166
When can I talk to a customer service
representative?
The CSC is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard
Time, Monday through Friday. The CSC does not accommodate walk-in customers.
Can I
receive basic account information any time?
Yes. You can call 1-800-414-1226 toll free, 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, to obtain basic information about the status of your account through
our automated voice response system. By using a touch-tone phone and our simple menu
selection, you can check your account balance, date of last payment, amount of payment
assistance, and year-to-date interest and taxes paid without waiting for a customer
service representative to assist you.
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May I contact USDA Rural Development
offices within my State about my home loan?
All questions concerning your existing loan should be
directed to the CSC address or phone number listed on this page. The CSC began providing
home loan services to new borrowers beginning on October 1, 1996.
Where should I send my payment?
Mail payments to the address on your billing statement. Do
not mail payments directly to the CSC street address. Payments are past due if the total
amount due is not received by the due date. If the account is past due more than 15 days,
a late fee will be applied to your account.
Who will service my loan?
The CSC offers all borrowers lower payments (payment
subsidy), deferred payments (moratorium assistance), counseling, and all other services
which historically were provided by local offices. The toll-free phone number is available
24 hours a day for basic loan information; to speak to a loan counselor, call between the
hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
What if I have financial difficulties?
Call the CSC immediately. It is important that we know if
you are having temporary financial difficulties. We may be able to provide payment
assistance (lower payments), moratorium relief (deferred payments), or counseling to help
you meet your obligations.
Can I have payments automatically deducted
from my bank account?
If you want your mortgage payment
automatically paid from your checking or savings account, call the CSC or complete the
form received with your introductory letter and return it with a blank check across which
you have written "VOID". Allow 45 days for us to process your application. It is
important to remember that you must have enough money in your account to cover the monthly
payment. Please continue to send your payment by check until notified.
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Can I shorten the loan payment period?
Yes, you can send extra money over
your payment amount to reduce principal. In order for the extra payment to be applied to
principal, your loan must be current and have no outstanding fees. Please indicate the
additional amount toward principal in the appropriate box on your monthly billing
statement.
What about real estate taxes and property
insurance? What is an escrow account?
All borrowers are required to pay
real estate taxes and property insurance premiums. An account for the payment of taxes and
insurance is established for all new loans. This is called an escrow account. Long-time
borrowers with loans not on escrow may request an escrow account to be established at any
time.
For long-time borrowers who are not
on escrow and fail to pay your taxes or insurance premium, the CSC will pay them, charge
the amount to your accounts, and establish an escrow account. This will increase your
monthly payment.
Once you are on escrow, your account
will be reviewed at least once each year based on the most recent changes to your tax bill
and/or insurance premium. This may result in an increase or decrease to your payment.
What fees may borrowers incur?
- Returned check: $15
- Late payment: 4 percent of payment amount
- Payoff statement: 2 free in any 30-day
period. Additional statements, $25.
- Extra annual statement: $10
If you have additional questions about
your loan or about the way the Single Family Housing program works in your state, please
contact the Rural Housing Division of your Rural Development State Office.
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