The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is distributing $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to farmers through the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program. If you grew corn, soybeans, wheat, or another eligible commodity in 2025, you may be eligible for FBA funds starting on Feb 23rd. If you want to get paid faster, you’ll need a Login.gov account to apply online. With the Login.gov, producers will be able to:
- View your application
- Certify and submit your application
- Track application and payment status
What Is the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program?
The FBA program provides direct payments to producers as a bridge until the full benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) take effect. Payments are based on your 2025 reported acres.
Payment rates for commodities include:
- Corn: $44.36/acre
- Soybeans: $30.88/acre
- Wheat: $39.35/acre
- See all commodities at PrecisionRiskManagement.com
The application window closes on April 17, 2026. The payment limit is $155,000 per producer. Producers with an adjusted gross income exceeding $900,000 are not eligible. Crop insurance linkage is not required to receive FBA payments.
Why Login.gov matters for FBA
FSA says this is one of the easiest and fastest ways to receive your FBA assistance. To do business online with FSA, including applying for FBA assistance, producers will need a Login.gov account. Login.gov is the federal government’s sign-in system that lets you use one login to access many agency services, including USDA/FSA.
How to Create Your Login.gov Account
The goal here isn’t to walk through every click. It’s to make sure you know what’s required and where to go for official instructions.
You start by going to farmers.gov/account and clicking the “Get Started” button. Then you follow these steps:
- Create your Login.gov account
- Verify your identity by following USDA’s instructions
- Link your Login.gov account to your USDA/FSA customer record
Make sure you have a USDA/FSA customer record
This is the piece that trips some people up. Online access is tied to a USDA customer record. It’s your “master profile” FSA uses to connect you and your operation to program applications, documents, and acreage reporting.
- If you’ve worked with FSA before (acreage reporting, farm programs, loans, or disaster programs): you likely already have a customer record. The system should be able to match and link you after you verify your identity.
- If you’re newer to FSA/if your operation structure has changed (new entity, new members, reorganized operation): you may need to create or update your customer record before you can complete online linking.
- If the system does not find your record or still won’t link: contact the help desk or your local USDA Service Center and request they link your individual customer record to your account.
What Happens After You Link Your Customer Record?
Once you’re set up, you’ll receive a “Welcome to Farmers.gov” email confirming you’re ready to go. From there, you can view your pre-filled FBA application, certify and submit it, and track your payment status all online. For step-by-step account setup help, visit farmers.gov/account or call your local USDA Service Center.
What Else Can You Do with Your Account?
Your Login.gov account is useful well beyond FBA. Once you’re set up, you can:
- View farm records, maps, and tract information
- Make FSA loan payments and view loan history
- Sign and manage conservation program documents
- Apply for other FSA assistance programs in the future
Questions? Your PRM Advisor is here to help.
Your Risk Management Advisor can help you understand whether you’re eligible for FBA, estimate your potential payment, and make sure your crop insurance coverage is set up to take full advantage of the OBBBA updates. Reach out to your Advisor today with any questions.
