USDA has begun accepting applications for financial assistance from farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who believe they experienced discrimination in the Agriculture Department’s farm lending programs prior to 2021.

The assistance is being made available under Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 which provided $2.2 billion for claims by farmers, ranchers and landowners who say they were treated unfairly in USDA lending programs before 2021.

“The opening of the application process is an important step in delivering on our commitment of providing financial assistance to those who faced discrimination in USDA farm lending, as swiftly and efficiently as possible,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a press release issued by USDA.

The Agriculture Department also said it has become aware of some lawyers and groups spreading misleading information about the discrimination assistance process, pressuring people to sign retainer agreements and fill out forms with private and sensitive information and said no attorneys’ fees will be paid by USDA or any other government agency.

“USDA will continue to work with our 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,” said Vilsack.

E-filing portal

The program website, which can be found at 22007apply.gov, 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.

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.

To apply, borrowers have the option to apply via the e-filing portal at 22007apply.gov 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 Oct. 31, 2023. Under the planned timeline, applications will be reviewed in November and December, with payments reaching recipients soon after.

“Importantly, applicants should know that the application process is not on a first come, first served, basis,” the Department said. “All applications received or postmarked before the Oct. 31 deadline will be considered.”

To support producers throughout the application process, USDA is ensuring that organizations with extensive experience conducting outreach to farm organizations are able to support individuals who may be eligible for the program. These groups include AgrAbility, Farmer Veteran Coalition, Farmers’ Legal Action Group, Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Intertribal Agriculture Council, Land Loss Prevention Project, National Young Farmers Coalition, and Rural Coalition.

Regional hubs

Vendors operating four regional hubs are also providing technical assistance and working closely with these and other community-based organizations to conduct outreach using digital and grassroots strategies, to ensure potential applicants are informed about the program and have the opportunity to apply, the Department said. These hubs are operating a network of brick-and-mortar program offices and will conduct extensive outreach about the program.

Windsor Group serves farmers in the eastern regions of the U.S. and Analytic Acquisitions serves the western regions. A national administrator, Midtown Group, is responsible for program oversight and integrity, and will lead a national call-center, operate the application website -22007apply.gov, which is now open – and review and process applications and payments.

“All vendors have experience in professional services, supporting government contracts, and complex program operations,” the Department said.

The Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden last August, specifies the secretary of agriculture is responsible for providing this assistance through qualified nongovernmental entities, under standards set by USDA. The Department entered into agreements with the third-party vendors and cooperators in May.

In addition to the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program opening today, the Inflation Reduction Act also created several other programs that are helping USDA rebuild trust, address systemic issues and improve service to people who may have been underserved by USDA in the past. Information about USDA’s equity agenda and progress is available at www.usda.gov/equity.

Referring to reports of misleading information being spread, the Department reiterated that filling out an application is free. “No attorneys’ fees will be paid to applicants or their counsel by USDA or by any other agency or department of the United States,” it said.

“The amount of financial assistance will not be increased for those claimants who are represented by an attorney. Applicants are not required to retain an attorney. USDA, the national administrator, and the regional hub vendors will neither recommend that any applicant retain counsel or retain a specific attorney or law firm, nor discourage an applicant from obtaining counsel or using a specific attorney or law firm.”

For more information on the financial assistance program , visit fact sheet about the program timeline and ways to protect against possible scams.