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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 06/2012

CLIENT RIGHTS - CIVIL RIGHTS

0003.09.03

the complaint.

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights enforces the state human rights law. The agency will assist people with the complaint filing process. Clients may file a public services discrimination complaint by contacting that agency directly:

Minnesota Department of Human Rights 190 E. Fifth Street St. Paul, MN 55101 (800) 657-3704 (Voice) (651) 296-1283 (TTY/TDD)

People may also file a discrimination complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Upon receiving a complaint, DHS will determine whether or not it has authority to investigate the complaint and notify the person. Clients must contact DHS to file the complaint.

DHS Civil Rights Coordinator Department of Human Services Office for Equal Opportunity P.O. Box 64997 St. Paul, MN 55164-0997 (651) 431-3040 (Voice) (866) 786-3945 (TTY) (651) 431-7444 (Fax)

In addition to the state agencies listed above, applicants and participants of federally-funded assistance programs who believe they have been discriminated against may also file complaints directly with the federal agencies administering those programs. They may file complaints directly with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They must file the complaint within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.

NON-SNAP RELATED COMPLAINTS

Office for Civil Rights - Region V U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 233 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 240 Chicago, Illinois 60601 312-886-2359 (voice) 312-353-5693 (TDD/TTY)

SNAP COMPLAINTS

USDA Director - Office of Civil Rights 1400 Independence Ave. SW 800-795-3272 (voice) 202-720-6382 (TTY/TDD)

The written complaint should include the following information:

● Name, address, telephone number of complainant.

● Name and address of county agency delivering the benefits, including names of any employees accused of wrongdoing.