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"Hispanic and women
farmers who believe they have faced discriminatory practices in
the past from the USDA have fewer than 30 days left 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 mail their claim packages on or before March 25, 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.
The Department will
continue reaching out to potential Hispanic and female claimants
around the country to get the word out to individuals who may be
eligible for this program so they have the opportunity to
participate.
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 attend
meetings in your communities about the claims process and
contact the website at any time or the call center telephone
number Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to
8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Website:
www.farmerclaims.gov
Phone:
1-888-508-4429
Claims Period:
September 24, 2012 - March 25, 2013.
Independent
legal services 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.
Under
Secretary Vilsack's leadership, USDA has instituted a
comprehensive plan to strengthen the Department as a model
service provider and to ensure that every farmer and rancher is
treated equally and fairly as part of "a new era of civil
rights" at USDA. In February 2010, the Secretary announced the
Pigford II settlement with African American farmers, and in
October 2010, he announced the Keepseagle settlement with Native
American farmers.
Both of those
settlements have since received court approval. Unlike the cases
brought by African American and Native American farmers, the
cases filed by Hispanic and women farmers over a decade ago were
not certified as class actions. The claims process provides a
voluntary alternative to continuing litigation for Hispanic and
female farmers and ranchers who want to use it.
Audio and
video public service announcements in English and Spanish from
Secretary Vilsack and downloadable print and web banner ads on
the Hispanic and women farmer claims process are available at:
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=PSAs_Print_and_WebBanner_Ads.xml
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and
employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA,
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC
20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service),
(800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay
voice users).
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