Form RD 3550-21: Rural Housing Service Payment Subsidy Renewal Certification

Form RD 3550-21 at a glance

What it is: Form RD 3550-21 is the Rural Housing Service Payment Subsidy Renewal Certification; it is time to review your eligibility for payment subsidy on your Rural Housing Service loan.

Who signs: This form must be signed by all borrowers and returned, with all the documents you are mailing.

Where and when to file: You must return this form (not a copy) by mail. Do not fax! Only Payment Assistance Renewal information is to be returned in the enclosed envelope. All payment must be mailed in the envelope provided with your billing statement. Mailing payments and other correspondence not related to your Payment Assistance Renewal will significantly delay processing of your subsidy agreement and slow response to your inquiries.

What to bring and attach to Form RD 3550-21

For all adult household members listed on the Certification, attach a signed copy of Form RD 3550-1, "Authorization to Release Information"; copies of the last two consecutive pay stubs for each employed adult; and copies of the latest Federal Income Tax returns including all schedules. For Seasonal Workers, send IRS Form 1040 and W-2 Forms. For Self-Employed Workers, send Schedule C or F with the Form 1040.

For any member of your household that receives income from non-employment sources, use Lines 8 and 9 of the Certification to report the income and attach a copy of your latest award or benefit letter or other proof of how much the household member received from that source.

A filled-in Form RD 3550-21 example: a homeowner renews a payment subsidy

How to fill out Form RD 3550-21, box by box

Name, date, address and account number

Fill in NAME, DATE, ADDRESS and ACCOUNT NO.

Please provide the following information in ink.

If any requested information is not provided, your payment subsidy request cannot be processed!

Household members

Fill out the following section completely: household member's full name, begin with yourself, relationship to the head, age, social security number, and YES or NO for full time student, disabled and employed.

All adult household members must sign an "Authorization to Release Information" Form 3550-1.

Federal income tax and self-employment (lines 3 and 4)

Did anyone living in your household file Federal Income Tax last year? You must include a copy of last year's IRS Form(s) 1040, 1040EZ, 1040A and all schedules or telefile tax records for all adult household members who filed. Do not send Form 8453!!!

Line 4, Yes or No: Is anyone living in your household self-employed? If yes, you must include a copy of last year's Federal Income Tax Schedule C or F.

Real estate taxes and property insurance (lines 5 and 6)

Line 5: enter the amount of real estate taxes due each year, or mark "I am exempt from paying."

Line 6: enter the amount of property insurance paid each year, or mark "I do not have insurance."

Jobs (line 7)

Attach the two (2) most recent and consecutive pay stubs for all jobs in your household. Complete, for each job, household member's full name, amount of yearly income, employer name and address, employer phone no.

Other income (lines 8 and 9)

Line 8, Yes or No: Does anyone living in your household receive income from social security (SS or SSI), retirement (pension), unemployment or other (please specify)? If yes, attach a copy of the current benefit statement or award letter.

Line 9, Yes or No: Does anyone living in your household receive child support or alimony? If yes, attach A. the clerk of court's statement that states how much you received in the last twelve months (if collected by the courts), or B. the court order that shows the amount you should receive, or C. if not court ordered, a statement of the amount paid signed by the person who pays you.

Borrower signature, date and phone

The information provided is complete and true to the best of the borrower's knowledge.

Each borrower signs on Borrower Signature and enters the Date.

Enter the Home Phone No and the Alternate Phone or Work No.

The information is being collected to determine if the borrower is eligible to receive payment subsidies and failure to provide complete and accurate information can result in criminal and civil penalties.

More rules for Form RD 3550-21

The amount of subsidy you will receive depends upon your income, number of persons in your household, and in some instances, expenses.

Do not send receipts, bills, or other statements of expenses paid for lines 10, 11, and 12.

Attach separate sheets, if needed.

Line 10, child care expenses: complete only if child care is not reimbursed and is needed for children under 13 years of age that allows a household member to work or go to school.

Line 11, medical expenses: complete only if the borrower or co-borrower is 62 years of age or older, or if the borrower or co-borrower is disabled. Include expenses actually paid by you (not by insurance). If you have any bills with a payment agreement, include ONLY the amount to be paid in the next twelve months.

Line 12, disability assistance expenses: complete only if you have expenses for the care of a household member with disabilities that are not reimbursed by another source and is needed to allow a family member to work.

The Rural Housing Service reserves the right to request further documentation before approving any payment subsidy renewal.

Common questions about Form RD 3550-21

Where to get help with Form RD 3550-21

For assistance, call 1-800-414-1226.

Sources

[1] Form RD 3550-21 (Rev. 08-19), Rural Housing Service Payment Subsidy Renewal Certification, U.S. Department of Agriculture (the Official source link on this page).