Thursday, December 21, 2023

JANUARY 13, 2024 DEADLINE

TO SUBMIT COMPLETED

DFAP APPLICATIONS

IMPORTANT

FSC/LAF APPLICATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA)

UPDATE

• To meet the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) fast-approaching January 13, 2024 deadline, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (the Federation) has identified

Friday, January 5, 2024

as the last day our technical assistance team will accept and or process new requests

for assistance with completing and submitting the DFAP application.

This FSC/LAF date will allow our DFAP Outreach Team to complete and submit all eligible applications by the January 13th, 2024 deadline.

All new requests for assistance after January 5, 2024, will be referred to the Regional Hubs as appropriate.

• The DFAP application is 40 pages long and serves as your opportunity to share your story about the discrimination you experienced in the FSA loan process and the impact that discrimination had on you as a producer.

• Typically, each application requires 4-6 hours of technical assistance to complete once an applicant has gathered all necessary supporting documentation needed to accompany their DFAP application.

Regional Hubs: Analytic Acquisitions  (west of the Mississippi) and Windsor Group LLC  (east of the Mississippi)

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs prior to January 1, 2021

To support producers throughout the application process, USDA is ensuring that organizations with extensive experience conducting outreach to farm organizations can support individuals who may be eligible for the program. USDA has identified and designated a national administrator, regional hubs, and eight cooperators.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund ("the Federation") stands in cooperation with USDA and other cooperators, offering technical assistance to farmers and landowners seeking IRA Sec 22007 financial assistance due to discrimination. The Federation provides Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) education, outreach, and technical assistance to farmers in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas.

Borrowers can apply for assistance online via 22007apply.gov or through a paper-based form. All applications received or postmarked before the January 13, 2024, deadline will be considered.

On 22007apply.gov, applicants can access information on how to obtain technical assistance in-person or virtually, and additional resources and details about the program. Applicants can also call the free call center at 1-800-721-0970 or visit one of several dozen brick-and-mortar offices the program has set up around the country. Locations are provided on the program website and vendors will update the local events schedule with more information as it becomes available.

• The application process is not on a first come, first served, basis.

• Applying is FREE and does not require a lawyer.

• Neither designated cooperators nor the USDA will decide who is awarded financial assistance. The financial assistance will be decided and awarded exclusively by designated administrators.

FSC/LAF DFAP RESOURCES

JANUARY 13, 2024 DEADLINE

TO SUBMIT COMPLETED

DFAP APPLICATIONS