GENERAL QUESTIONS
  1. When should I expect to receive money from the Phase I Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission?

    Every effort will be made to begin getting checks out to qualified quota owners and producers in June 2008. This schedule can be met if farm operators, qualified tobacco producers and/or quota owners make sure all pre-printed information contained in the official form is correct, make any needed corrections or additions, obtain any necessary signatures or documentation and return the form by the deadline May 16, 2008 in the envelope provided to Troutman Sanders LLP's Tobacco Indemnification Program at P.O. Box 1198, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1198.

  2. Who is eligible to receive money?

    For 2008, persons or entities who were:

    1. Flue-cured tobacco producers who produced flue-cured tobacco in 1998;
    2. Flue-cured quota owners who owned quota as of July 1, 1999;
    3. Burley tobacco producers who produced burley tobacco in 1998;
    4. Burley quota owners who owned quota as of July 1, 1999.

  3. If I am eligible, what do I have to do to get paid this year?

    You must make sure all pre-printed information contained in the official form is correct, make any needed corrections or additions, obtain any necessary signatures or documentation and return the form by the deadline May 16, 2008 in the envelope provided to Troutman Sanders LLP's Tobacco Indemnification Program at P.O. Box 1198, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1198.

  4. I participated in the Tobacco Transition Payment Program ("TTPP" or "Buy Out"), can I also receive the Phase I payment?

    Yes. The Phase I Program is separate from TTPP. Eligible Quota Owners and Producers can participate in both programs.

  5. Will there be another payment this year from the Phase I Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission?

    No. Qualified tobacco producers and quota owners will only be paid once per claim this year. Therefore, it is very important for you to make sure all pre-printed information contained in the official form is correct, make any needed corrections or additions, obtain any necessary signatures or documentation and return the form by the deadline May 16, 2008 in the envelope provided to Troutman Sanders LLP's Tobacco Indemnification Program at P.O. Box 1198, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1198.

  6. What happens if I miss the deadline, or I could not be verified in time for payment?

    If you do not return the official form in time for the May 16, 2008 deadline, or the information contained within it was incomplete or could not be verified, you may not receive a payment this calendar year. However, please submit your Verification Form as soon as possible in the envelope provided to Troutman Sanders LLP's Tobacco Indemnification Program at P.O. Box 1198, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1198. The submission of your late Verification Form will allow us to ensure our information remains correct and up to date.

  7. How do I get the form to be certified to receive money from the Phase I Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission?

    Official forms will be sent to you by U.S. mail. If you did not receive a form, or your form is lost, misplaced or destroyed, and you believe you are eligible for payment, please complete a duplicate form. Duplicate forms can be found by clicking here or by contacting the Phase I office toll free at 1-888-629-7682 or 804-697-1869 from outside of Virginia

  8. Where do I return my form?

    A prepaid return envelope is included with your official form. If the envelope is missing or you misplace it, please send your completed form directly to Troutman Sanders LLP's Tobacco Indemnification Program Office at P.O. Box 1198, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1198.

  9. Where do I go to get help or to ask questions?

    Please call the toll free hotline at 1-888-629-7682 (Monday - Friday, 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M., excluding holidays) and ask for assistance. You may also come to the work sessions in your community where representatives of the Tobacco Indemnification Program will be available to answer your questions and to receive your completed forms. The locations and times of planned meetings are listed in the information accompanying your official form and on the meetings & events page of this site.

  10. Will I be contacted if the information I provided is incomplete?

    Yes. A representative of Troutman Sanders LLP's Tobacco Indemnification Program will contact you if you provide incomplete information.

  11. How will payments be split between quota owners and producers this year?

    The Commission has determined that for 2008 flue-cured tobacco producers and quota owners will split flue-cured payments as follows: Producers 50%, Quota Owners 50%. Burley tobacco producers and quota owners will split burley payments as follows: Producers 62%; Quota Owners 38%.

  12. Who can sign forms on behalf of a corporation?

    The corporation should sign the official forms as it does when it conducts its other normal business operations.

  13. The quota owner or producer listed on my official form has passed away. How do I fill out my official form so that the right person(s) receive(s) payment?

    If the claimant listed on your official form has passed away and/or you are an heir to his/her Estate, you must submit to us the following:

    • A photocopy of the decedent's death certificate. We must have decedent's Social Security Number.
    • A photocopy of the decedent's will, if one is available. If no will is available, please provide an Official List of Heirs (available from the Court House).
    • A completed Extra Information Sheet with the names, addresses, telephone numbers and Social Security Numbers for each heir indicating how the quota is to be divided between each heir. This form must be signed by each heir. Please note that the quota for all heirs must equal the total quota on the tract. (Form available by clicking here)
    • A signed W-9 certification form for each heir. (Available by clicking here)

    If the claimant listed on this form has passed away and in prior years you have (1) notified the Phase I Tobacco Program of the death, and (2) successfully transferred the ownership to the rightful heirs, please do the following:

    • Strike through the claimant's name on the form
    • Be sure the decedent's Social Security Number is indicated on the form
    • Make a note that you have already submitted the ownership change documentation (as listed above)
    • Complete an Extra Information Sheet listing all heirs' names, addresses, social security numbers and how the quota is to be divided among all heirs. Please note that the quota for all heirs must equal the total quota on the tract. (Form available by clicking here)
    • Each heir must sign a W-9 certification form. (Available by clicking here)


  14. What should I do if the Social Security Number printed on the Verification Form is not correct?

    Please sign an IRS W-9 Certification Form (available by clicking here) with your correct Social Security Number and return it with your Verification Form.


  15. What should I do if the address printed on my Verification Form or check is wrong, or if I change my address in the future?

    We encourage you to submit your change of address in writing by (1) noting your new address on your Verification Form or (2) submitting a change of address request including your Social Security Number, old address and new address by mail to Troutman Sanders LLP's Tobacco Indemnification Program at P.O. Box 1198, Richmond, Virginia 23218-1198 or Fax at 804-697-1860. You may also submit a change of address request online by clicking here and noting your old address and new address in the Comments section.


Phone:
Mon.-Fri. 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM excluding holidays
Toll Free 1-888-629-7682
Local 804-697-1869
Fax: 804-697-1860

Mail:
Tobacco Indemnification Program - Phase I
c/o Troutman Sanders LLP
P.O. Box 1198
Richmond, Virginia 23218-1198

Email:
Tobacco@vatip.com



© 2008 Troutman Sanders LLP