USDA: FBA recipients encouraged to apply online
With a secure Login.gov account, producers can be the first to apply for the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
To conduct business with Farm Service Agency online, including applying for FBA assistance, producers will need a Login.gov account.
About Login.gov
Login.gov is the public’s one account for government. Producers can use one account and password for secure, private access to participating government agencies, including FSA.
Creating a Login.gov account is the first step to working with FSA online, the USDA release stated.
Visit farmers.gov/account to create your Login.gov account. If you already have a Login.gov account, you can work with FSA using your existing account.
Follow the steps below to create your Login.gov account and tie it to your FSA customer record:
- Create your Login.gov account
- Complete identity verification
- Link your FSA customer record
Linking your FSA customer record
If someone has worked with FSA in the past and has an FSA customer record, the system will attempt to automatically link the Login.gov account to an existing FSA customer record.
If an applicant is new to working with USDA, he will need to create an FSA customer record. This record is sometimes called a Business Partner ID, BPID, or Business Partner Customer Record. After verifying an identity online, the applicant will be taken to a page to fill out and submit a form to begin that process.
Work with FSA online
Once the applicant has a Login.gov account, he will be able to complete the following for FBA:
- View an application
- Certify and submit the application
- Track application and payment status
For assistance in creating a Login.gov account, visit https://login.gov/help/.