5. NONDISCRIMINATION
Neither the Department nor its contractors shall discriminate against any applicant or participant for any reason whatsoever in any aspect of program administration. Enforcement action may be brought under any applicable Federal or State law.
The Department is an equal opportunity provider.
A. Americans with Disabilities Act
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, no qualified individual with a disability will, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, the services, programs or activities of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, or be subjected to discrimination by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Individuals with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
B. COMPLAINTS
The Department shall accept all complaints of discrimination, written or verbal, and forward them promptly to the Secretary or Administrator at the Department of Agriculture. People who believe that they have been subject to discrimination may also file a complaint directly with the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. Title VI complaints shall be processed in accord with 7 C.F.R. Part 15.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mailing it to:
Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
Alexandria, VA 22314;
(2) faxing it to: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) emailing it to: FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov.