Sarah Mirando  |  February 18, 2013

Category: Legal News

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USDAThe U.S. government has established a claims process to make available up to $1.33 billion or more to farmers and ranchers who allege they were discriminated against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture based on their gender and/or national origin. Hispanic and women farmers who believe they faced discriminatory practices from the USDA between 1981 and 2000 have until March 25, 2013 to file their claims to potentially receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash payments or debt relief.

“The opening of this claims process is part of USDA’s ongoing efforts to correct the wrongs of the past and ensure fair treatment to all current and future customers,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The claims filing process offers a voluntary alternative to litigation for women and Hispanic farmers and ranchers who can prove the USDA denied an application for loan or service assistance for discriminatory reasons for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000.

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 settlement program.

If you qualify and submit a timely claim, you could receive an award of up to $50,000 or up to $250,000 in cash, depending on the evidence you submit. The USDA will also provide a total of up to $160 million in debt relief to successful Claimants who currently owe the agency money for eligible farm loans. Successful Claimants may also receive an additional amount, equal to 25% of the combined cash award plus the principal amount of debt relief, to help pay federal taxes that may be owed.

Claimants must register for a claims package by calling 888-508-4429 or visiting the website farmerclaims.gov. All those interested in learning more or receiving information about the Hispanic and women farmers settlement are encouraged to attend meetings in their communities about the claims process and contact the website or claims telephone number.

All claims must be submitted no later than March 25, 2013 to participate in the USDA farmers settlement.

More information on the USDA Hispanic and Women’s Farmer/Rancher Settlement can be found at farmerclaims.gov.

 

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7 thoughts onDeadline Looms in $1.33 Billion Hispanic & Women Farmers Settlement

  1. mary says:

    Any update? a friend of mine said a friend of a friend receive a check. Told my friend I haven’t seen any update yet.

  2. Yolanda Fuston says:

    Even I have been discrimated by the USDA, and it feels awful.

  3. Dana Harmon says:

    I worked tot USDA from 1987 till 2000. I was discriminated against. By white men. No blacks. Mo other women but me. Please pit me in lawsuit against them. 8032797866

  4. Dana Harmon says:

    I worked from 1987 till 2000 & was discriminated against by white men. I was only woman. No blacks I feel o deserve somethings. Dana Harmon 786 Briggs Rd. North Augusta SC. 29860

  5. R Downing says:

    Have any women actually tried to complete the paperwork? I am working on it and it is very hard to find paperwork from 25-30 years ago. Farmers Home Adm. (now FSA) has no records from that long ago on who applied or if they got denied….according to them. Any ideas or suggestions?

  6. Mary M. says:

    yeah like the blackfarmers, my parents farm for years, if we didn’t farm, we didn’t eat, My parents teach us 5 girls how to farm as did my granddparents.

  7. Yolanda Fuston says:

    I put in an application an the USDA just through it back at me.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.