DEBT COLLECTION IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1996: Department of Agriculture Faces Challenges Implementing Certain Key Provisions

Abstract

This report discusses the debt collection initiatives of two major components of the Department of Agriculture the Rural Housing Service (RHS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA). As you well know, collecting delinquent debt has historically presented major challenges for federal agencies. It is with this backdrop that the Congress, with a key role played by this Subcommittee, passed the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA). Among other things, DCIA requires agencies to (1) notify the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) of debts delinquent over 180 days for purposes of administrative offset against any amounts that might otherwise be due to those persons or entities, and (2) refer such debts to Treasury for centralized collection action known as cross-servicing. In addition, to facilitate debt collection, the act authorizes agencies to administratively garnish the wages of delinquent debtors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 05, 2001
Accession Number
ADA396964

Entities

People

  • Gary T. Engel

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

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  • Biomedical
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

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  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
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  • Money
  • National Governments
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