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Discrimination in the SNAP or Cash Assistance programs is specifically prohibited based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. SNAP also prohibits discrimination for religion or political beliefs. These are considered 'protected classes'. In addition, Federal civil rights laws make it illegal to discriminate against someone who has filed a complaint or has engaged in other Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) or civil rights activity.

Examples of Discrimination Discrimination can occur in many ways. The actions below are examples of discrimination and non-compliance with civil rights requirements when the action is motivated by or results from a policy that disproportionately has an adverse impact on a person or group of people who belong to one of the protected classes: • Denial of an individual or household of any service or benefits provided under the program for which the individual or household is otherwise eligible. • Not providing a translator or other foreign language assistance to a household with limited English proficiency. • The failure of DFR staff to provide the same quality, quantity, manner of service or benefits to all. • Segregation or separate treatment of individuals in any manner related to the application for or receipt of program benefits (separate facilities or separate procedures based on race or another protected class status and having noticeably better office space in one part of town versus another where populations include a greater percentage of those with protected class status). • Use of criteria or methods of administration that have the effect of defeating or impairing the objectives of any program (imposing additional eligibility criteria on certain individuals). • Selection of sites for offices that exclude or discourage individuals from accessing the benefits of the program such as offices that are not accessible to persons with disabilities or offices located far away from an eligible minority community and not served by public transportation. • Adverse treatment such as rude, unprofessional, and unresponsive behavior directed at any individual with protected status.

Evidence of discrimination is established when all the following conditions are met: • A complainant shows that the individual has been adversely affected by a program decision. • The adverse action is related to a protected condition. • The individual against whom the action was taken is a member of the protected class.

The complaint must be filed no later than 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination or when the complainant became aware of the action. If circumstances warrant, the Secretary of Agriculture or the Director of Health and Human Services may extend the filing time.

Program applicants or program recipients who feel that they have been discriminated against can complain to the following: • DFR Office staff • DFR Policy Section of the Division of Family Resources, 402 W. Washington Street, Room W363, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or call (317)233-0826