HRM: New form To request a religious exception for the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandate
USDA has provided a new form to request a religious exception to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The new USDA Request for a Religious Exception form replaces the previous Religious Accommodation Questionnaire.
- If you have not submitted a religious exception request, please use the new USDA Request for Religious Exception form along with the AD1163-R form. You can email your request to Francesca Ramunda at francesca.ramunda@usda.gov. Please do not send any questions to Francesca because she is not able to respond at this time.
- If you have already submitted a religious exception request with the old Religious Accommodation Questionnaire, please wait to be contacted by a Reasonable Accommodations Specialist to submit the new USDA Request for Religious Exception form.
A confirmation email will be sent within the next two-weeks that will include the name and contact of the Reasonable Accommodations Specialist assigned to your case. The Reasonable Accommodation Specialist will review your documentation, ask you to provide any missing information, and help guide you through the process.
Disciplinary actions will not be initiated while employees are waiting for a decision on their request for an exception.
We appreciate your patience as we work through the volume of requests already submitted.
NOTE: Requests for medical (not religious) exceptions to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate need to be submitted to the RA Specialists for your assigned home unit.
For more information, please visit:
- HRM Reasonable Accommodations website
- Office of Personnel Management Vaccine Enforcement FAQs
- Safer Federal Workforce
- FS Working During a Pandemic
Help is available
Open an HR Help case:
- Call: 1-877-372-7248, Press 2
- Email: hrm_contact_center@usda.gov
- Self-Service: ConnectHR, then click HR Help
For detailed instructions, visit the HR Help How-to Add a Case Guide.