Program Overview

To implement Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP or “the Program”) will provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending prior to January 1, 2021.

Applying for this program is free—and free help with the Application is available. Visit How Do I Apply for more information. You do not need an attorney to file an Application. However, if you feel the need for legal assistance, seek the assistance of a trusted, licensed attorney.

The Application includes step-by-step directions and a list of documents that are either required or recommended at each step. This chart provides an overview of how applications are processed and reviewed once received by program administrators.

To apply, visit DFAP Online Application.

Several entities are involved in the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, with varying roles and responsibilities. The National Administrator and Regional Hubs are under contract to conduct outreach, assist with the financial assistance application process, process Applications, manage program call centers, and operate local offices. Additional outreach and application support is provided by community groups.

• Setting up and managing the program website and national call center.
• Developing the program application with guidance from USDA.
• Coordinating work that is shared between the National Administrator and the Regional Hubs.
• Reviewing individual applications, making determinations of eligibility and evaluating the application against USDA-approved standards, using corroborating data from the USDA where available.
• Ensuring agricultural expertise is incorporated into the national review process.
• Arranging for appropriate audits and systems to detect and deter fraud.
• Making final decisions on individual applications, subject to oversight by USDA.
• Distributing the financial assistance after approval by USDA.

• Setting up and staffing local offices and mobile outreach teams.
• Marketing the availability of the program to raise awareness and inform potential applicants of services available.
• Providing technical assistance in-person, online, and by phone, including region-specific support through the call center.
• Coordinating with USDA’s community-group cooperators.
• Receiving applications by mail and in-person drop off.
• Digitizing all non-digital applications and supporting documents submitted.
• Pursuing supplementary information from applicants when applicant omissions make payment impossible (e.g., insufficient proof of identity or social security number, missing signature).
• Reviewing individual applications, making initial determinations of eligibility and evaluating the application against USDA-approved standards and using corroborating data where available.
• Ensuring agricultural expertise is incorporated into the regional review process.

• Sharing information with members.
• Hosting in-person and virtual events.
• Providing trainings on how to complete applications.
• Assisting producers with completing applications.
• Coordinating with regional hubs and USDA to offer insights on best practices for reaching key audiences, as well as providing other support and partnership for outreach efforts.

• Setting program rules, including how applications are evaluated and awards are calculated.
• Setting program timelines and deadlines.
• Providing oversight of the program and cooperative agreements.
• Selecting cooperators and establishing contracts with third-party vendors.
• Providing appropriate USDA data to the National Administrator and Regional Hubs.
• Facilitating collaboration among all entities involved to maximize outreach and technical assistance efforts.