The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission disbursed 46,000 Phase I flue-cured and burley quota owner and producer claims June 14-15. Approximately $9.5 million worth of payments were made. There is still time to submit an application to the Virginia Tobacco Commission. The deadline has been extended to June 30. Visit www.vatip.com for more information.

Here is the press release from the Tobacco Indemnification Program.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA (June 19, 2012) … The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission has approved payments for 46,000 Phase I flue-cured and burley quota owner and producer claims totaling approximately $9.5 million.  Payments for these claims were disbursed June 14-15, 2012.

The Virginia Tobacco Commission has also extended the final deadline for 2012 Phase I Verification Forms and Applications for Payment to June 30, 2012.  Completed and signed Forms must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2012 to be eligible for payment under the 2012 Phase I Program.  Claims postmarked later than June 30, 2012 may not receive payment under this year’s Phase I Program.

Please note that if you submitted your Verification Form prior to May 18, 2012 and/or have already received your 2012 Phase I Indemnification payment, you do not need to submit any further information.  The June 30, 2012 deadline applies only to those claimants who missed the original May 18, 2012 submission deadline and were not included in the June 2012 payment disbursement.  Claimants who submit a Verification for Payment form or Application for Payment by the June 30, 2012 deadline will be paid in the second round of payment in September.

Since 2000, the Commission has made available $309 million to Virginia’s tobacco producers and quota owners.  In January 2012, the Commission announced that it has reached the end of its indemnification obligation. The 2012 payment will be the final distribution of Phase I Indemnification funds.  At that time, the Commission will have satisfied its statutory obligation to indemnify burley and flue-cured producers and quota owners.

Claimants who need additional information may contact Troutman Sanders Phase I Tobacco Indemnification Program, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM (excluding holidays) locally at 804-697-1869 or Toll Free at: 1-888-629-7682.  Information is also available on the Program’s website at www.vatip.com.