Kara K. Keeton
Communications Director
KY Tobacco Settlement Trust Corportation
(502) 564-4627
http://tobaccotrust.ky.gov/phase_ii/

            The Kentucky Tobacco Settlement Trust Corporation (KTSTC), chaired by Governor Ernie Fletcher, today posted the list of individuals that will receive Phase II tobacco settlement payments later this year. 

            The payee list is made available to provide Phase II applicants and recipients assurances that they are on the list to be paid in the December 30, 2004 distribution.  This year Kentucky’s estimated share of the Phase II trust is $125.6 million.  On November 15, 2004 the KTSTC will be notified by the Trustee of the exact amount available for distribution this year.

            In previous years, the payee list was mailed to all 93 USDA Farm Service Agency offices and 118 County Cooperative Extension offices.  Individuals had to drive to these offices if they wanted to see if they were on the list to be paid.  Now, from the comfort of their own home, individuals can simply go the Phase II website at http://tobaccotrust.ky.gov/phase_ii/ to ensure they are on the list.  The payee list includes the following:

Crop Year 2003 Quota Owners who returned their 2004 claim forms postmarked by the September 20 deadline
 
Those who were successfully certified under this summer's 2004 Phase II Amnesty Program
 
Individuals who received payment last year for the Growing Farm and Tenant portions
 

Questions regarding the payment list or other Phase II issues should be directed to the convenient toll-free Help Line at 1-877-549-2537.

The Phase II payments come from a 1999 settlement between tobacco-growing states and the four largest cigarette manufacturers to offset income losses farmers are expected to experience as a result of changes within the tobacco industry.  The agreement provides Kentucky farmers $1.5 billion for annual payments through the year 2010. To date, the Kentucky Tobacco Settlement Trust Corporation has facilitated payments of more than $588 million since the establishment of the Trust in 1999.

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