USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Program

Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) decisions and awards have now been made. If you applied and haven’t received an award or denial by August 6, 2024, please call the DFAP call center at 1-800-721-0970. 

Deputy USDA Secretary Xochitl Torres Small told the Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network some 77-million dollars will be distributed to just over eleven hundred farmers and ranchers in Louisiana who applied for the program.

Award Distribution

Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act provided financial assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination by USDA in USDA farm lending programs prior to 2021.

Applications

More than 58,000 individuals filed applications during the application period, which ran from July 7, 2023, to January 17, 2024. Applicants came from across the United States, the District of Columbia, and the territories. Across all applicants, each category of eligible discrimination (race, color, national origin or ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, marital status, or disability, or in reprisal/retaliation for prior civil rights activity) was cited.

Awards

  • In total, about 43,000 awards were approved.

  • More than 23,000 awards, about 54%, were to applicants who had or have farming or ranching operations. They received a total of about $1.9 billion with individual awards ranging from $10,000 to $500,000.

  • Over 20,000 awards, about 46%, were to applicants who planned to have farming or ranching operations but were unable to establish them as a result of USDA actions. They received a total of $101 million with individual awards ranging from $3,500 to $6,000.

  • Awards were approved for applicants from every state, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa.

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