Form CCC-251, Notice of Assignment, is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) form that an assignee uses to give written notice that money payable under a CCC or USDA contract has been assigned to it. It is prepared and signed by the assignee, not by the contractor. This notice of assignment page lets you fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original form is published by USDA at forms.sc.egov.usda.gov.
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What is CCC-251?
Form CCC-251, Notice of Assignment, is the USDA Commodity Credit Corporation form that an assignee files to tell the government that payments due under a CCC or USDA contract have been assigned to it, so that the assignment can be recognized.
The form states that it is used for assignments for both CCC and USDA. Assignments for the two agencies are similar, but the rules governing them are not identical, so you must know which agency is named in the contract before you complete it. Item 2 asks you to check one: Commodity Credit Corporation or United States Department of Agriculture.
The instructions on the form explain that an assignment is recognized only if and when the assignee files written notice of it. The form identifies the contract (number, date, the party it was made with and its type), names the assignee and the assignee's status, carries the signature of the assignee's officer, and includes an acknowledgment block (item 11) that the addressee completes to confirm receipt.
The form's Privacy Act statement says the information is used to assign cash payments made by FSA or CCC to a designated assignee. It cites 7 CFR Part 1404, the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and the Agricultural Act of 2014. The form is approved under OMB No. 0560-0183.
Who needs to file CCC-251?
The assignee, the party receiving the right to payment, prepares, signs and forwards Form CCC-251 after an assignment of contract money has been executed.
Who may be an assignee, according to the form's instructions:
- A bank, trust company, federal lending agency or other recognized lending institution may receive an assignment of monies payable under a USDA or CCC contract.
- If the contract was made with a corporation whose stock is wholly owned by the federal government, it may be assigned to a prior lienholder or, with the prior approval of the contracting officer, to an individual.
- In item 10A, the options for a person or firm holding a lien or encumbrance and a person or firm not holding one are valid for CCC contracts only. A person or firm without a lien needs written approval from the contracting officer or other designated CCC official before CCC will recognize the assignment.
An assignment must cover all amounts payable under the contract and not already paid, and it may not be made to more than one party unless the contract expressly permits it. The exception is an assignment to one party as agent or trustee for two or more parties sharing in the financing. A contract made with CCC cannot be assigned again.
Item 10B asks for the name of the signing officer for the assignee.
When to file CCC-251
File Form CCC-251 when an assignment of contract payments is executed. The form's instructions say that upon execution of an assignment the assignee prepares, signs and forwards the original signed notice, together with the original signed instrument of assignment, to the addressee. An assignment is recognized only if and when the assignee files written notice, so delay can affect its validity.
Timing also matters for tax offsets. CCC or USDA may offset amounts the assignor owes the United States for taxes if a notice of lien was filed or a Notice of Levy was served under 26 U.S.C. 6323 or 6331 before CCC or USDA acknowledged receipt of the notice of assignment.
Once in place, the assignment remains in force until the addressee receives written advice from the assignee to release it. The form sets no other deadline.
Documents you need
- The original signed instrument of assignment, sent with the original signed Form CCC-251 to the addressee.
- Photocopies of each executed form, sent to the surety or sureties on any bond connected with the contract (only if there is a bond).
- Written approval from the contracting officer or other designated CCC official, when the assignee is a person or firm not holding a lien or encumbrance on a CCC contract (item 10A).
- Prior approval of the contracting officer, when a contract made with a federally owned corporation is assigned to an individual.
How to fill out CCC-251
Enter the date of notice
In item 1, enter the date of the notice in MM-DD-YYYY format.
Check the contracting agency
In item 2, check one box: Commodity Credit Corporation or United States Department of Agriculture. Use the agency named in the contract.
Identify the contract
Enter the contract number in item 3 and the contract date in item 4 (MM-DD-YYYY). In item 7, enter the type of contract.
Enter the addressee in item 5
Give the name and address of the addressee. For CCC contracts, this is the USDA office to which invoices are submitted for payment; for USDA contracts, it is the contracting officer.
Name the other contracting party
In item 6, enter the name and address of the party the contract was made with and the warehouse code, if applicable.
Read the instructions in item 8
Review items A through E and the note that payment will be made to the undersigned assignee. Confirm the assignment covers all amounts payable and goes to one party.
Enter the assignee in item 9
Write the assignee's name on one line (30 spaces) and the address on two lines (30 spaces each).
Check the assignee's status
In item 10A, check Financial Institution, Person or Firm Holding a Lien or Encumbrance, or Person or Firm Not Holding a Lien or Encumbrance. The last two are valid for CCC contracts only.
Sign for the assignee
In items 10B to 10D, enter the signing officer's name, title and date (MM-DD-YYYY), and sign. Leave item 11, the acknowledgment, for the addressee.
Review, download and assemble the package
Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the original with the instrument of assignment and the surety photocopies as described under How to submit.
How to submit CCC-251
The assignee forwards the original signed Form CCC-251 to the addressee named in item 5, and the form's privacy statement also says to return the completed form to your county FSA office.
- Original to the addressee (item 5): send the original signed notice together with the original signed instrument of assignment. For CCC contracts, item 5 is the USDA office to which invoices will be submitted for payment. For USDA contracts, it is the contracting officer.
- Copies to sureties: send photocopies of each executed form to the surety or sureties on any bond connected with the contract.
- Acknowledgment: the addressee acknowledges receipt in item 11, if the notice is in order, and returns photocopies of the acknowledged forms to the assignee.
The form prints no mailing address or online portal; it says only that it is available electronically. Ask the county FSA office or the contracting officer where to deliver it. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Completing the form without confirming whether CCC or USDA is the agency named in the contract; the rules for the two are not identical, and item 2 requires one choice.
- Assigning the contract to more than one party, unless the contract permits it or the assignment goes to one party as agent or trustee for several.
- Assigning only part of the money; the assignment must cover all amounts payable under the contract and not already paid.
- Sending a photocopy instead of the original signed notice and the original signed instrument of assignment to the addressee.
- Leaving out the photocopies for the surety or sureties when the contract has a bond.
- Checking a lienholder or non-lienholder box in item 10A for a USDA contract; both are valid for CCC contracts only.
- Assigning a non-lienholder's interest in a CCC contract without the written approval of the contracting officer or designated CCC official.
- Writing an assignee name longer than one line (30 spaces) or an address longer than two lines (30 spaces each) in item 9.
- Trying to assign a contract made with CCC a second time; the form says it is not subject to further assignment.
Frequently asked questions
What is a notice of assignment on Form CCC-251?
Form CCC-251, Notice of Assignment, is the written notice an assignee gives CCC or USDA that payments under a contract were assigned to it. The form says an assignment is recognized only if and when the assignee files this written notice.
Who signs Form CCC-251?
The assignee signs. Item 10B asks for the name of the signing officer for the assignee, with title and date in 10C and 10D. The addressee, not the assignee, completes the acknowledgment in item 11 with the time, date, signature and title.
Who can be an assignee on a USDA or CCC contract?
A bank, trust company, federal lending agency or other recognized lending institution. If the contract was made with a federally owned corporation, a prior lienholder, or an individual with the contracting officer's prior approval, may also receive it. The lien-related choices in item 10A apply to CCC contracts only.
Where do I send Form CCC-251?
Send the original signed notice and the original signed instrument of assignment to the addressee in item 5. For CCC contracts this is the USDA office that receives invoices; for USDA contracts it is the contracting officer. The form also says to return it to your county FSA office.
Can a CCC contract be assigned to more than one party?
Generally no. Unless the contract expressly permits it, an assignment cannot go to more than one party. The exception is one party acting as agent or trustee for two or more parties sharing the financing. A CCC contract also cannot be assigned again.
What happens if the contractor owes the government money?
CCC and USDA generally notify the assignee of any indebtedness collected by offset, usually when the acknowledged copies are returned. Amounts payable are then what remains after offset. Tax liens filed or levies served before acknowledgment can also be offset.
How do I cancel an assignment?
The assignment stays in force until the addressee receives written advice from the assignee to release it. The release must come from the assignee, not the contractor.
Can I fill out Form CCC-251 online?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of USDA and does not file the notice; you deliver it through the channels described under How to submit.
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