The deadline has been extended until May 1 for women and Hispanic farmers and ranchers to file claims of discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"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 USDA Secretary Thomas 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.
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