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AUG 2025 • VOL. 4, ISSUE 4
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TOP TIPS CORNER
NEW LIMITS - NEW LEADS
Updated 2025 income limits - unlock this opportunity to maximize your reach!
USDA raised the 2025 income limits for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) to more accurately align with income level changes in the current economy. They were published on June 18, 2025, through a Special Procedure Notice (SPN). Check out the updated limits on the Eligibility Website!
Elderly Family Deduction Increase
We are pleased to announce an increase to the elderly family deduction. HB-1-3555, Chapter 9, Attachment 9-A permits applicants who are age 62 or older to benefit from an elderly family deduction when calculating adjusted annual income. Effective immediately, this annual deduction has increased from $400 to $525 per household.
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TOP NEWS
Building Stronger Communities Together
USDA 2025 Lending Partner Awards Ceremony
The Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) enjoyed hosting another annual Lender Award Ceremony and luncheon on June 24, 2025. This event was held to recognize some of the top achievements in creating homeownership by our program partners. In efforts to promote the SFHGLP to potential applicants and interested lenders around the country, the accomplishments of our most successful lending partners are celebrated every year for their utilization of the program for low- and moderate-income families across rural America. The ceremony was held at the Whitten Patio in Washington, DC, where we presented trophies to 28 recipients in 9 different categories.
The live and virtual viewing audiences were treated with opening remarks from our program’s top leadership, including Christine Mechtly, Deputy Administrator of Single Family Housing, and Ingrid Ripley, Executive Director of the SFHGLP. Through their inspiring words, they shared valuable experiences from within the Agency that fueled their dedication and success. They also offered well-deserved praise to our program partners, whose outstanding accomplishments directly support the Agency’s mission of enhancing the lives and opportunities of rural Americans.
Pictured above is Ingrid Ripley (SFHGLP Executive Director)
and Bill Saunders (Guild Mortgage).
Click to learn more about all of the 2025 Top USDA Lenders!
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Finishing FY 2025 Strong – Together!
We value the incredible partnership we share with our lending partners – and your efforts make a real difference in helping rural homebuyers reach the finish line faster!
To keep things moving smoothly, please consult current turn times and allow a minimum of 48 hours for USDA to issue Conditional Commitments once a complete application is submitted. Timely, complete submissions not only help us stay on track – they help families close on their homes without delay.
Pro Tip: Be sure to follow the "Loan Origination Checklist" – it’s the best way to keep things moving efficiently.
Thank you for being such an essential part of this work – together, we’re closing out the year with success and getting families home!
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Gearing Up for FY 2026
At the start of each fiscal year, SFHGLP funding is briefly unavailable. USDA expects this lapse to begin on October 1, 2025, with funding available in about a week.
During the temporary lapse in funding, Conditional Commitments (Form RD 3555-18/18E) will be issued “subject to the availability of commitment authority” for purchase and refinance transactions.
A GovDelivery announcement is expected to provide details specific to the FY 2026 funding process. Congressional action may alter the anticipated guidance above.
We look forward to serving you in FY 2026!
Click to review the "subject to the availability of commitment authority" application processing workflow.
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Get Quicker Approvals and Avoid Delays
Avoid these top 3 deficiencies causing delays in issuance of Conditional Commitments:
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Incomplete application package: To avoid processing delays, lenders must submit fully completed application packages. Utilize the "Loan Origination Checklist" to help verify all required documents are included and properly prepared.
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Missing essential signatures: Lenders must ensure that Form RD 3555-21, "Request for Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee", is fully completed and signed by all applicable parties before submission. Electronic signatures meeting the standards and requirements set forth in the E-Sign Act, as well as all other applicable federal and state regulations, are accepted.
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Absence of annual/repayment income calculations: Annual, adjusted annual, and repayment income needs to be well-documented, with detailed calculations. For GUS loans that receive a Refer, Refer with Caution, or Accept with Full Documentation message, include this documentation with the application. Take advantage of the available income calculation tools, such as the Attachment 9-C in Chapter 9, which provides a case study to illustrate how to properly complete the income worksheet.
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Explore the Revamped Lender Training Hub
Looking for refresher USDA training? Check out the updated lender training page!
USDA lending partners can now access the newly updated Lender Training Hub - no login required! The refreshed training hub features streamlined, easy-to-navigate training modules for: Basic program training; New lender onboarding; Lender recertification; and Recordings of recent live webinars.
Whether you are new to USDA lending or looking to stay current, the training hub has all your training needs in one place.
Check out the revamped USDA LINC "Lender Training" page here!
Handbook Changes - Are You Up to Date?
Don't let policy changes catch you off guard - recent updates provided clarification on topics including:
Chapter 4 "Lender Responsibilities": Conflict of interest regarding USDA employees.
Chapter 5 "Origination and Underwriting Overview": All applications should be submitted through GUS - access GUS via login.gov.
Chapter 8 "Applicant Characteristics": SAM.gov requirements and utilization of the job aid for manual file submissions.
Chapter 9 "Income Analysis": Taxable income, previous employment, asset verification, reserves in GUS, and additional income clarification; increase in elderly family deduction.
Chapter 10 "Credit Analysis": VORs, disputed accounts, and community property state requirements.
Chapter 15 "Submitting the Application Package": GUS utilization for all loans and checklist updates.
Chapter 16 "Closing the Loan and Requesting the Guarantee": Title insurance alternatives and email for self-reports.
"Form RD 3555-21": Streamlined to remove information captured elsewhere.
Click to learn more about these recent Handbook updates.
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JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION!
USDA Guaranteed Insights: Program Updates & Pathways to Faster Commitments
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET
Can't attend a session?
Access recordings of all live events on the
USDA LINC Training & Resource Library.
Schedule group training for your team by reaching out to the Lender & Partner Activities branch at sfhgld.lenderpartner@usda.gov.
Don't miss out on training notifications!
Be sure to subscribe to GovDelivery.
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Have a question? Reach out to us!
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GUS Technical Issues
GUS Helpdesk
or 800-457-3642 option 2, option 2 |
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