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Deadline extended for claims by Hispanic women farmers and ranchers

Discrimination claims must be filed by May 1
April 3, 2013

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced the extension of the voluntary claims process for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in past decades. All claims must now be filed by Wednesday, May 1.

"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  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 www.farmerclaims.gov. They 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 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday 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.

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