Immediate action by Congress is needed to effectuate this settlement. If $1.15 billion is not appropriated by March 31, 2010, this Settlement Agreement may be voided.
 
· What happens next in the Court case? – By April 5, 2010, the Plaintiffs and the Government must jointly submit to the Court a Motion for Preliminary Approval of the Settlement Agreement. In granting this motion, the Court will authorize that Notice of this class action settlement be sent to all prospective members of the class.
 
· When will the Court give final approval to the settlement? – We anticipate the Court will have a hearing to give final approval to the Settlement Agreement several months after Notice is sent – likely July or August of 2010.
 
· When is the Claim Deadline? – The Claim Deadline – i.e., the date by which all claims must be submitted to be considered in the claims process – is 180 days from final approval of the Settlement Agreement by the Court. We anticipate this Claim Deadline will be in January or February of 2011.
 
· When will meritorious claimants receive their checks? – Under the settlement, no claimants will be paid until all claims are paid. We anticipate that the first checks will likely be distributed approximately one year from the Claim Deadline – i.e., around January or February of 2012
 
· How much money does the settlement provide? – The settlement assumes that $1.25 billion will be provided for relief to Pigford claimants – $100 million from the 2008 Farm Bill plus $1.15 billion in newly appropriated money. If Congress provides more than $1.15 billion in additional funding, the Government may void the settlement. If Congress provides less than $1.15 billion in additional funding, the Plaintiffs may void the settlement.