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Less Than One Month Left to Apply 

Eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners still have time to apply for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP). Applicants have until January 13, 2024, to apply for assistance. 

Eligible individuals have the option to apply online or by submitting paper-based forms via mail or in-person delivery to local program offices. Applying for this program is free—and free help with the application is available. You do not need an attorney to file an application.  

A frequently asked question posed to the DFAP team is, Do applicants have to choose between this program and a discrimination complaint made to the USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR)? 

No. This program is available only if the discrimination you experienced occurred prior to January 1, 2021. If you have filed a discrimination complaint with OASCR that deals with discrimination prior to 2021, you do not need to close or stay that complaint in order to be eligible for this program—and financial assistance awarded under this program does not bar consideration of that complaint by OASCR (although it may reduce the damages, if you are awarded such damages). 

For discrimination that occurred after January 1, 2021, you may contact the Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR), Information Research Service, at (866) 632-9992 (toll free) or by emailing [email protected]. If you prefer Spanish, you can use (800) 845-6136. Individuals who use sign language to communicate may contact OASCR through the Federal Relay Service on 711. Your written complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days from the date you knew or reasonably should have known of the alleged discrimination, unless the time is extended for good cause by the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights or designee. 

In the News

In the News 

The Delta News

Application deadline nears 

More than $2 billion has been set aside for farmers and ranchers who experienced discrimination in a federal loan program. Now, the deadline is approaching for those affected to apply for funding. The Delta News' Woodrow Wilkins spoke with two people who are trying to help Mississippi farmers find out if they qualify. 

New Outreach and Assistance Videos

To support producers throughout the Application process, USDA is partnering with organizations with extensive experience conducting outreach to farm organizations. Several of these groups have shared helpful videos covering the program and application.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives recently made several Discrimination Financial Assistance Program videos available. These include a discussion with the Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG); Monica Rainge, Senior Advisor at USDA; and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:

FSC featuring Farmers’ Legal Action Group

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g598G2OCN-4

FSC featuring USDA’s Monica Rainge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhNHCKsi4Kg

FSC featuring the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvTN2tXl8pU

A collaborative video from Rural Coalition, Farmers Legal Action Group, National Young Farmers Coalition, and Intertribal Agriculture Council also provides helpful program information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZsgrNPtySE