[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 14]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1956.54]

[Page 246-247]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER XVIII--RURAL HOUSING SERVICE, RURAL BUSINESS--COOPERATIVE 
SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, AND FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF 
                         AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1956--DEBT SETTLEMENT--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart B--Debt Settlement--Farm Loan Programs and Multi-Family Housing
 
Sec. 1956.54  Definitions.

    Adjustment. The reduction of a debt or claim conditioned upon 
completion of payment of the adjusted amount at a specific future time 
or times, with or without the payment of any consideration when the 
adjustment offer is approved. An adjustment is not a final settlement 
until all payments under the adjustment agreement(s) have been made.
    Amount of debt. The outstanding balance of the amount loaned 
including principal and interest plus any outstanding advances, 
including interest, and subsidy to be recaptured made by the Government 
on behalf of the borrower.
    Cancellation. The final discharge of a debt without any payment on 
it.
    Chargeoff. The writing off of a debt and termination of collection 
activity without release of personal liability.
    Compromise. The satisfaction of a debt or claim by the acceptance of 
a lump-sum payment of less than the total amount owed on the debt or 
claim.
    Debt forgiveness. For the purposes of servicing Farm Loan Programs 
loans,

[[Page 247]]

debt forgiveness is defined as a reduction or termination of a direct 
FLP loan in a manner that results in a loss to the Government. Included, 
but not limited to, are losses from a writedown or writeoff under 
subpart S of part 1951 of this chapter, debt settlement, after discharge 
under the provisions of the bankruptcy code, and associated with release 
of liability. Debt cancellation through conservation easements or 
contracts is not considered debt forgiveness for loan servicing 
purposes.
    Debtor. The borrower of funds under any of the FmHA or its successor 
agency under Public Law 103-354 programs. This includes co-signors, 
guarantors and persons or entities that initially obtained or assumed a 
loan. Debtor also includes grant recipients.
    Farm Loan Programs (FLP) loans. Farm Ownership (FO), Operating (OL), 
Soil and Water (SW), Economic Emergency (EE), Emergency (EM), Recreation 
(RL), Special Livestock (SL), Softwood Timber (ST) loans, and/or Rural 
Housing Loans for farm services buildings (RHF).
    Housing programs. All programs and claims arising under programs 
administered by FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 
under title V of the Housing Act of 1949.
    Servicing office. The FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 
103-354 office that is responsible for the account.
    Settlement. The compromise, adjustment, cancellation, or chargeoff 
of a debt owed to FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354. 
The term ``Settlement'' is used for convenience in referring to 
compromise, adjustment, cancellation, or chargeoff actions, individually 
or collectively.
    United States Attorney. An attorney for the United States Department 
of Justice.

[56 FR 10147, Mar. 11, 1991, as amended at 58 FR 21344, Apr. 21, 1993; 
62 FR 10157, Mar. 5, 1997]