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Source: USDA, 3/25/13
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the extension of the voluntary claims
process for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege
discrimination by the USDA in past decades. All claims must now be filed by MAY
1, 2013.
"Hispanic and women farmers who believe
they have faced discriminatory practices in the past from the USDA
have additional time to file a claim in order to have a chance to receive a
cash payment or loan forgiveness," said Secretary Vilsack. "USDA
urges potential claimants to contact the Claims Administrator for
information and to file their claim packages on or before
May 1, 2013."
The process offers a voluntary alternative to
litigation for each Hispanic or female farmer and rancher who can prove that
USDA denied his or her application for loan or loan servicing assistance for
discriminatory reasons for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000.
As announced in February 2011, the voluntary
claims process will make available at least $1.33 billion for cash awards and
tax relief payments, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief, to eligible
Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers. There are no filing fees to
participate in the program.
Call center representatives can be reached at
1-888-508-4429. Claimants may register for a claims package (by calling
the number or visiting the website) or may download the forms from the website.
All those interested in learning more or receiving information about the claims
process and claims packages are encouraged to visit the website at any
time or to contact the call center telephone number Monday
through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Claim packages and other documentation may be
mailed to Hispanic and Women
Farmers and Ranchers Claims Administrator, PO Box 4540, Portland,
OR 97208-4540. Claim packages and other documentation may also be
emailed to claims@hwfr.org. Claimants may also fax claims packages and other
documentation to (855) 626-8343. Completed forms and documentation must be
received no later than 11:59 p.m. PDT on May 1, 2013.
Once a claim is submitted to the
Claims Administrator, the Claims Administrator will determine if it is timely
and complete. If it is, the claim will move to the Claims Adjudicator for a
determination on the merits of the claim. USDA may submit evidence to the
Claims Adjudicator regarding the claim. If a claim is deemed incomplete, a
claimant will be notified by the Claims Administrator and given the opportunity
to provide additional information within a certain timeframe. Claimants may
check the status of their claims on the claims website.
Website: www.farmerclaims.gov
Phone: 1-888-508-4429
Fax: (855)
626-8343
Email: claims@hwfr.org
Claims Period: September 24, 2012 – May 1,
2013.
Independent companies will administer the claims
process and adjudicate the claims. Although there are no filing fees to
participate and a lawyer is not required to participate in the claims process,
persons seeking legal advice may contact a lawyer or other legal services
provider.
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