Skip to contentNerdwallet icon

Understanding the Streamlined Assist Refinance USDA Loan

The USDA streamlined assist refinance program is a way for homeowners with USDA loans to save money on their monthly mortgage payments.

Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners.

Updated · 1 min read
Kate Wood
Written by 
Lead Writer/Spokesperson
Michelle Blackford
Reviewed by 
Alice Holbrook
Edited by 
Assigning Editor
SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED

This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

The USDA streamlined assist refinance program lets eligible homeowners refinance their existing USDA loans without undergoing a credit check, getting a home inspection or having their debt-to-income ratio calculated.
The program is available to homeowners with USDA guaranteed loans, which are backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture but provided by approved lenders, and USDA direct loans, which are issued by the USDA's Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program.
Here's what you need to know if you have a USDA loan that you're looking to refinance.
» MORE: The basics of USDA loans

Mortgage loans from our partners

NBKC

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

New American Funding

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.0

NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

0%

GO Mortgage

on GO Mortgage

GO Mortgage

4.0

NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

COMPARE MORE LENDERS

How to qualify for a USDA streamlined assist refinance

In order to refinance through the streamlined assist program, you'll need to meet the following USDA requirements:
  • Have paid your current USDA mortgage on time for at least 12 months before refinancing.
  • Reduce your monthly payment by at least $50 by refinancing. 
  • Be within the USDA's single-family housing income limits, which vary by location and the size of your household.
  • Be one of the original borrowers. You can add a new borrower to your loan, but you can't typically remove any of the existing borrowers. (For example, if you were divorcing and needed to remove one partner from the mortgage, you couldn't do it with a streamline assist refinance.)
  • Choose a new loan term of 30 years or less.
  • Get a new loan rate that’s fixed and lower than your existing rate.
Also, if you live in an area that's become more developed and is no longer deemed "rural" by current USDA eligibility guidelines, you can still refinance your USDA loan with the streamlined assist program.
» MORE: See top refinance lenders

Mortgage loans from our partners

NBKC

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

New American Funding

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.0

NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

0%

GO Mortgage

on GO Mortgage

GO Mortgage

4.0

NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

COMPARE MORE LENDERS

What are the benefits of a USDA streamlined assist refinance?

A streamline assist refinance has fewer hoops to jump through than a regular rate-and-term USDA refinance. With a USDA streamlined assist refinance:
  • Your lender won’t require a new appraisal. 
  • You don't need a credit check, and the lender doesn't have to calculate your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI.
  • You don’t need a home inspection.
Aside from requiring less paperwork, the USDA streamlined assist refinance boasts the same primary benefit of most non-cash-out refinances, lowering your monthly USDA loan payment.
» MORE: Is now the right time to refinance?

How much does a USDA streamlined assist refinance cost?

Because refinancing replaces your existing mortgage with a new one, you will still pay some closing costs, including a new USDA guarantee fee and annual fee. With a USDA streamlined assist refinance, you can roll the closing costs into your loan.
Ready to get started? Begin by finding a USDA-approved lender. You don't have to refinance through your current lender; in general, it's a good move to get quotes from at least three lenders so that you can compare your monthly and total costs, and find the best deal.
» MORE: USDA home loan calculator

Mortgage loans from our partners

NBKC

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

New American Funding

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.0

NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

N/A

Min. down payment

0%

GO Mortgage

on GO Mortgage

GO Mortgage

4.0

NerdWallet rating
Min. credit score

620

Min. down payment

3%

COMPARE MORE LENDERS
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
    Back to top
    More like this
    How to Move in 2026Mortgages
    Related articles
    When to Refinance a Mortgage: Is Now a Good Time?
    Kate Wood's profile picture
    By Kate Wood
    Best USDA Mortgage Lenders
    NerdWallet's profile picture
    By NerdWallet
    USDA Loan Calculator
    Taylor Getler's profile picture
    By Taylor Getler