General information, not financial or legal advice. Programs change; always confirm with the agency. We don't apply for you and don't take a fee. Links checked Oct 26, 2026.
NRCS EQIP (farms and forest land)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program helps agricultural producers and forest landowners pay for conservation practices. Practices and payment rates vary by state; NRCS standards include brush management, fence, pond, forest stand improvement, water well, and livestock watering.
- Apply any time; each state sets ranking dates.
- A conservation planner visits your land first.
- You're paid after the practice is installed and inspected to NRCS standards, so don't start work before your contract.
- You'll need a tax ID, a deed or lease, and a farm number from the Farm Service Agency.
Sources: NRCS EQIP · NRCS practice standards
USDA Section 504 home repair (rural homes)
- Loans for low and very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their home.
- Grants for very-low-income homeowners 62 or older, to remove health and safety hazards.
- You must own and live in the home and be unable to get affordable credit elsewhere.
- Up to $40,000 loan and $10,000 grant ($50,000 combined); loans are 20 years at a fixed 1%.
- Apply year-round at your local Rural Development office.
Sources: USDA RD Section 504 · Address eligibility
USDA Section 502 direct home loans
- For low and very-low-income applicants buying, building, repairing, or relocating a home in an eligible rural area.
- Funds can also prepare a site, including water and sewage facilities.
- Rate is 5.75% from Oct 1, 2026; payment assistance can lower it to as little as 1%. Terms up to 33 years (38 in some cases).
- Applications are taken year-round at your local RD office.
Sources: USDA RD Section 502 direct
State septic repair help
Only programs we confirmed on the official page. Many counties run their own; ask your county health department.
| State | Program | What it does (from the official page) |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | PENNVEST Homeowner Sewage Program (with PHFA) | Loans to repair or replace an on-lot septic system at your primary residence: up to $25,000, 1.75% interest (up to 2.8% APR), up to 20 years, no income limit. Work can't start before the loan closes. |
| Maryland | Bay Restoration Fund septic upgrades | Grants to upgrade septic systems to nitrogen-reducing technology, with priority for failing systems near tidal waters. Run through county health departments. |
| Minnesota | AgBMP Loan Program | Low-interest loans through counties and local lenders; septic installs, upgrades, and repairs are eligible. |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Fund | Not funded now. The program sunset after 2022-2023, and the state can't take applications. |
Related help
- Storm shelter rebates and tax credits
- Disaster help programs (FEMA, USDA ECP, EFRP, ELAP)
- Pros who say they've done EQIP or cost-share jobs show an "EQIP / cost-share experienced (self-reported)" tag. We don't check it. See example listings