USDA Farm Loan Discrimination Application Process Explained

The USDA Farm Loan Discrimination Application Process is a crucial step for farmers who have been discriminated against by the USDA. The application process can be complex, but understanding the basics can make a big difference.

The first step is to submit a complaint to the USDA's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. This can be done online, by mail, or by phone. You can also visit a USDA office in person to file a complaint.

To be eligible for a farm loan discrimination claim, you must have experienced discrimination within the past 10 years. This timeframe applies to all types of discrimination, including racial, ethnic, and gender-based discrimination.

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The USDA has a program in place to provide financial assistance to farmers who faced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021.

Eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners can apply for this assistance through the program's website, which is now open and offers an English- and Spanish-language application.

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The application process will be open from July 7 to October 31, 2023, and applicants can choose to apply via the e-filing portal or submit paper-based forms via mail or in-person delivery to the program's local offices.

This program was authorized by Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which made 2.2 billion dollars available for "discrimination financial assistance" for farmers who experienced discrimination in USDA Farm Loan Programs.

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The USDA has opened the application process for farm loan borrowers who faced discrimination. The process was announced on July 7, 2023, and is available for eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021.

Eligible applicants can apply via the e-filing portal or submit paper-based forms via mail or in-person delivery to the program's local offices. The application process will be open from July 7 to October 31, 2023.

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Farmers who experienced discrimination by USDA in its farm loan programs prior to January 1, 2021, and/or are currently debtors with assigned or assumed USDA farm loan debt that was the subject of USDA discrimination that occurred prior to January 1, 2021, are eligible for this program.

To apply, borrowers can choose from three options: online, in-person, or by mail. The application is available in English and Spanish, and additional languages can be accommodated by contacting the Program Call Center at 1-800-721-0970 or emailing [email protected].

Here are the application options:

Applicants should note that the application process is not on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications received or postmarked before the October 31 deadline will be considered.

Discrimination is treated as a legitimate reason for eligibility in this USDA Program. It occurs when a person is treated differently from others for a covered reason.

A covered reason can include a person's race, color, national origin, or ethnicity. Discrimination can also be based on a person's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, marital status, disability, or reprisal for prior civil rights activity.

Tribal membership is also an accepted basis for discrimination in this Program. No "smoking gun" proof of intentional discrimination is required.

Discrimination can be shown if an eligible person is treated differently than someone else based on a covered reason. This can be demonstrated by noting how the treatment the farmer received violated USDA's own rules.

If the farmer knows that others received different, more favorable treatment, that information should be noted. This can be a useful comparison to make when applying for the Program.

To be eligible for a farm loan, you must be a beginning farmer or a socially disadvantaged farmer.

The USDA defines a beginning farmer as someone who has been farming for less than 10 years or has limited farming experience.

You must also be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien to be eligible.

To be considered a socially disadvantaged farmer, you must belong to a group that has historically faced discrimination in the farm credit system, such as African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and women.

Farmers who are at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security number are also eligible for farm loans.

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The application process for farm loan discrimination is now open. You can apply online, by mail, or in person, and the application is available in English and Spanish.

To apply online, use the Program's e-filing system, which can be accessed through the program's website. The e-filing system is a convenient option, but if you need assistance, you can contact the Program Call Center at 1-800-721-0970 or email [email protected].

The application process will be open from July 7 to October 31, 2023. If you prefer to apply by mail, you can mail a paper copy of the application to your closest Program Regional Office. To apply in person, you can drop off the application at one of the Program's In-Person Regional Offices.

Here are the options to apply:

All applications received or postmarked before the October 31 deadline will be considered, so don't worry about applying early.

Farmers can apply for the program through various channels. They can submit applications online, in person, or by mail.

To apply online, farmers can use the program's e-filing system. This is a convenient option that allows farmers to submit their applications from the comfort of their own homes.

Farmers can also apply by mail by sending a paper copy of their application to their closest Program Regional Office. This is a good option for farmers who prefer a more traditional approach.

Alternatively, farmers can drop off their application in person at one of the Program's In-Person Regional Offices. This is a good option for farmers who want to get their application in quickly.

The application is available in English and Spanish, making it accessible to farmers who may not be fluent in English. For farmers who need assistance in a different language, the USDA encourages them to contact the Program Call Center at 1-800-721-0970 or email [email protected].

Here are the different options for applying:

The USDA Farm Borrower Applications Update is a crucial piece of information for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021.

The application process for eligible borrowers opened on July 7, 2023, and will remain open until October 31, 2023.

You can apply via the e-filing portal or submit paper-based forms via mail or in-person delivery to the program's local offices.

The application process is not on a first-come, first-served basis, so all applications received or postmarked before the October 31 deadline will be considered.

The USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Program is now open for eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021.

The application process is open from July 7 to October 31, 2023, and applicants can apply via the e-filing portal or submit paper-based forms via mail or in-person delivery to the program's local offices.

Applicants should know that the application process is not on a first-come, first-served basis, all applications received or postmarked before the October 31 deadline will be considered.

Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination by USDA in its farm loan programs prior to January 1, 2021, and/or are currently debtors with assigned or assumed USDA farm loan debt that was the subject of USDA discrimination that occurred prior to January 1, 2021, are eligible for this program.

The program website is now open and includes an English- and Spanish-language application that applicants can download or submit via an e-filing portal, information on how to obtain technical assistance in-person or virtually, and additional resources and details about the program.

USDA will continue to work with national vendor partners and community-based organizations to make sure eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners have clear information about what is available to them, how to apply, and where to obtain assistance with their questions at each step of the way.