Discrimination Complaint Procedure

A. Individuals who believe they have been subject to discrimination may file a written complaint with the USDA, FNS national office, the local office, and/or the State Department. All complaints of alleged discrimination shall be made in writing and shall be submitted to the FNS national office. If allegations of discrimination are made verbally, and if the complainant is unable or unwilling to put the allegations in writing, the State or county employee to whom the allegation is made shall document the complaint in writing. The person accepting the complaint shall make every effort to secure the information specified in Subsection C, below. B. The complainant shall be advised that a complaint may be submitted to the State Department, FNS or both, and that a complaint shall not be investigated unless information specified in items C, 2, through C, 4, below, is provided. In addition, the complainant shall be advised that a complaint must be filed no later than one hundred eighty (180) calendar days from the date of the alleged discrimination. The local office shall date stamp or otherwise note the date the complaint is received by the office. 1. Complaints directed to the FNS national office shall be addressed to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; Fax: (202) 690-7442; Email: program.intake@usda.gov. 2. Complaints directed to the State Department shall be addressed to: Colorado Department of Human Services, SNAP, 1575 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203. C. The complaint shall include the following information to facilitate investigations to be considered complete: 1. The name, address, and telephone number or other means of contacting the person alleging discrimination; 2. The location and name of the office which is accused of discriminatory practices; 3. The nature of the incident or action, or the aspect of Program administration that led the person to allege discrimination; 4. The reason for the alleged discrimination; 5. The name(s) and title(s), if appropriate, of person(s) who may have knowledge of the alleged discriminatory act; and 6. The date(s) on which the alleged discriminatory action(s) occurred.