UPDATE 3/12/2014:
USDA is committed to ensuring the integrity and impartiality of the claims process. A neutral, third party has been tasked with overseeing all aspects of the process, including notifications, to make certain that it is fair and equitable. As we move forward, we’re focused on making sure our programs are more inclusive and accessible than ever to all Americans.
Today is an historic day for USDA. Working with colleagues at the Department of Justice, we launched a program that provides a path to justice for Hispanic and women farmers who believe they were discriminated against by USDA between 1981 and 2000. Many of these farmers and ranchers have waited and fought to get relief, but until now their only means of getting their complaints heard was to file an individual case in federal court. Today we are providing folks with a simpler path that enables them to file a claim for compensation that will be resolved by a neutral party without the involvement of the courts.
When I was sworn in as Secretary of Agriculture two years ago, President Obama and I made a commitment to mend USDA’s troubled civil rights record. Since then, we have taken comprehensive action to turn the page on past discrimination. Last year we entered into a settlement with black farmers in Pigford II to address pending claims, and finalized a historic settlement agreement with Native American farmers under Keepseagle that faced discrimination by USDA.
With today’s announcement, we are continuing work to build a new era for civil rights at USDA: correcting our past errors, learning from our mistakes, and outlining definitive action to ensure there will be no missteps in the future. The process has been long and often difficult, but my staff and I have been working hard every day to make USDA a model employer and premier service provider that treats every customer and employee fairly, with dignity and respect.
If you are a woman or Hispanic farmer or rancher and feel you were discriminated against by USDA between 1981 and 2000, you must request a claims package to participate in the claims process. To begin this process, you can either call 1-888-508-4429 or visit www.farmerclaims.gov to submit your information online.
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Comments
When people call the 1-800 line they get different answers.
This is not good to keep peoples hopes up and making them wait. It is not their first time giving out funds. so what is the hold up. I don't care which tier you are in, they should all go out at the same time because we all filled them out at the same time and we had a deadline. What is USDA's deadline? I don't think any of the tiers should have to wait.
Election Time is coming Mr. Vilsack, I'm sure you want the women (farmers) votes! But sitting here for 10+ yrs. waiting on a claim process,is not looking to good for you ! You draw more flys with sugar, then you do with salt! Sincerely Waiting!!!!
Just for information ........I just found out they will be mailing out information in the middle of Nov...If application is payable, it will be another waiting period to receive the payment.
The Nov information is only for application qualification for payments.
Late Summer/early Fall has now since passed.
Can we PLEASE get an update???
This is a terrible way to be treated.
Someone has reported receiving an approval letter at this
link http://www.mysettlementclaims.com/blog/?p=2996#comments
Anyone else?
Wow, I guess they're worried about their jobs. Once we're paid no more job for them. I've written my letters and made my phone calls and I'm getting the same canned response the rest of you are. If I had a congressman worth a damn I guess I could call him and see if he can get somewhere. We are given an innocuous title of an entity with no name or responsibility to anyone if this administration really cared about women other than their vote we'd be taken care of by now. How many years have we been at this? I'm losing count, I think I'm going on 3.
i just checked my claim i was denied...........Your claim has been denied. This decision is final. It is not reviewable by us, the Neutral, USDA, or any other party or body, judicial or otherwise. For more details please refer to your Determination Letter.
shellfisherman So Sorry...there are no words. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Settlement dates have changed 3 times since I filed a claim almost 3 years ago. This has only happened with the Women and Hispanic Farmers Claims. Other Claims went through as planned so why are we being treated differently?
Seems us Women are being discriminated again, like you said other lawsuits have been settled.
TELL US WHY YOU WILL NOT REPLY ON BEHAVE OF THE HISPANIC AND WOMEN FARMERS SETTLEMENT CLAIMS. THIS IS JUST NOT FAIR TO US WOMEN OR THE HISPANICS. YOUR WEBSITE SAYS EARLY 2015. NO NEWS AS OF YET. SOON IT WILL BE MARCH 2015. PLEASE GIVE US SOME NEWS
mysettlementclaims.com has an update with approval letter photocopy attached from a claimant They seem to be the only ones keeping us updated even farmerclaims info is not updated they are still stating no approval letters have gone out yet!
Here's the direct link
http://www.mysettlementclaims.com/blog/?p=3383
Good luck everyone we're all in this together! :)
USDA has again not been fair in the decision of giveng us ladies the right to start our farms .. back in the 80"s we was told we could not be helped and they would not let us file a application , now they are saying we have not giving enough eveidence , so tell me how we are to show evidence if we was not given the application to fill out at the time some of us native americans went in to get help ... So I believe that we all should have gotten our share of what wedeserve .. thank you for your time ...
I need to find statistics on what percentage of the Hispanic and Women Farmers and Ranchers claims were denied and who to contact to find out specific reasons why a particular claim was denied. Any help would be greatly appreciated. There seems to be enough inequity involved in this case for another class action suit!!!!!!
I hear they are getting ready to roll out the checks for the approved claimants? Is this true?
Everyone; Please E-mail your Senator and complain. Maybe they will get off their butts and get us some answers.
What is the hold up with the check disbursement for those that were approved???
Why is this taking so long?
nothing has changed, I was discriminated against recently, if you are not rich you get nothing if you are a women, however you can be a deadbeat dad but was in the army, and you can get a loan.....I doubt they will ever pay, it is the gove after all
How can I find out if a family member filed w the keepeagles with the farm of my late grandfather and if whom it may concern thank you in advance. The reason is my father and his brothers and sister did not recieve anything if on of the siblings did get the money just concerned family thanks again in advanced.