Frequently Asked Questions
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The check is payable to the prior owner of the property – please reissue it to me:
Payments are made payable due to the person(s) who owned the property at the time the citrus trees were destroyed. If you bought the property after the trees were destroyed, you are not entitled to the payment unless the purchase agreement specifically provided for you to receive it. Please return the check to Lee County Citrus Canker Fund 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103. If you have proof that you were the owner on the date the trees were destroyed, please send an email to info@LeeCountyCitrusCankerFund.com and attach supporting documentation.
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The check is payable to someone who is no longer alive – please reissue it to me:
Please return the check to Lee County Citrus Canker Fund 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103 and enclose documentation showing you are the lawful beneficiary. We will re-issue the payment within 60 days following receipt of the check and supporting documentation.
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The check is made payable to my ex-spouse and me – we have since divorced – please reissue it to me:
Please return the check to Lee County Citrus Canker Fund 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103 and enclose supporting documentation confirming the divorce and your entitlement to the payment. We will re-issue the payment within 60 days following receipt of the check and supporting documentation.
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I believe I had more trees destroyed than the number covered by the payment – how do I receive additional payment?
Payments were calculated based on the Department’s records regarding the number of uninfected citrus trees destroyed on your property. The Department’s records for your property are available for you to review on this website by inputting your unique identifier code. The Department’s records are presumed correct. If you recall having more citrus trees destroyed, it is likely the other trees were determined to be infected with citrus canker. Infected trees were not entitled to compensation from this case.
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Why do I need to provide a W9?
The award in this matter is comprised of both principal, or the original judgment, and pre- and post-judgment interest, the money earned on the judgment since the time it was awarded by the Court and the time it was paid. The interest portion of the payment is reportable to the IRS if it is $600.00 or more. Instructions on how to provide IRS Form W9 are available on this website.
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What if I don’t provide a W9?
If the interest portion of your payment is greater is $600.00 or more, your initial check contained a request for your to submit a W9 and informed you of the amount of additional interest you would receive once the W9 was submitted and verified. If you do not submit a W9 or if the W9 is not verifiable with the Internal Revenue Service, your remaining interest allocation will be forfeited and will not be sent to you. We encourage you to submit your W9 as quickly as possible. Instructions on how to provide IRS Form W9 are available on this website.