Discrimination Financial Assistance Program Update

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DEADLINE NEARING FOR DFAP DOCUMENTS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture opened applications for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (22007) as a part of the Inflation Reduction Act on July 7, 2023, but the deadline to request needed documents from the USDA or FSA is September 6, 2023.

Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) directs USDA to provide financial assistance for farmers, ranchers or forest landowners determined to have experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs prior to January 1, 2021. Farmer Veteran Coalition, along with seven other cooperators, serves as a liaison to connect our members to resources designed to help them understand the program and to aid in applying.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application process is open until October 31, 2023. Those interested can apply and submit their applications online or through paper-based forms via mail or in-person delivery to the program’s local offices.

The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program team has created an online instructional video for applicants. This step-by-step guide will assist in setting up and tracking the progress of your Discrimination Financial Assistance Program account.

One-on-one help is available via Zoom or by phone call. Applicants can set an appointment through the main call center.

Applications will be reviewed in November and December, with payments being sent to recipients in early January 2024. For more information, visit our webpage here: https://farmvetco.org/dfap-22007/ where you can find resources on where to apply as well as contact information for additional assistance.

WEBINAR AND PODCAST

Farmer Veteran Coalition works hard to ensure that our members are well informed about this program and to get the help they need. A webinar and podcast hosted by FVC go into detail about the program and the application process.

You can listen to the podcast here: CLICK HERE. A recording of the webinar is on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@farmvetcoalition/videos

FILL OUT THE APPLICATION FOR FREE

Filing this application is FREE. You do not need a lawyer to apply, and the program staff can provide help FREE of charge. Be wary of any communication through mail, email or phone soliciting information from you or requesting information. Again, a lawyer is not required to apply for this program, however, if you do feel the need for legal assistance, seek the assistance of a trusted licensed attorney.

For additional information on the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (22007), visit our website here: https://farmvetco.org/dfap-22007/ You can also email us at support@farmvetco.org or call us at 855-FVC-FARM (855-382-3276) and we can provide more information on this program.