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77 | P a g e October 25 5. CLIENT PROTECTIONS 5.1 Energy Assistance Mailings LIMITATIONS: All materials sent or distributed to applicants, recipients, or vendors, including material enclosed in envelopes containing checks, must be limited to those which are directly related to the administration of LIHEAP and will not have political implications. NOT PROHIBITED FROM MAILING OR DISTRIBUTION: Materials in the immediate interest of the health and welfare of applicants and recipients, such as free medical examinations, availability of surplus food, and consumer protection information are not prohibited. NAMES OF INDIVIDUALS: Only the names of persons directly connected with the administration of the program are contained in material sent or distributed to applicants, recipients, and vendors. Such persons are identified only in their official capacity with the state or the sub- grantee. SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED FROM MAILING OR DISTRIBUTION: Materials such as “holiday” greetings, public announcements, voting information, and/or alien registration notices are specifically excluded. 5.2 Civil Rights in DPHHS Administered Programs GENERAL RULE: No person shall be subject to discrimination in any aspect of program administration, including but not limited to, the eligibility determination or certification of benefit group, the provision of benefits, the conduct of Fair Hearings, or the conduct of any program service, on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, culture, age, creed, marital status, physical or mental handicap, political belief, or national origin, except when the distinction is based on reasonable grounds. SPECIFIC DISCRIMINATORY ACTIONS PROHIBITED: The Department may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, on the grounds enumerated above: 1. Deny an individual any service, financial aid, or other benefit provided under LIHEAP. 2. Provide any service, financial aid, or other benefit to an individual which is different, or is provided in a different manner, from that provided to others in these programs. 3. Subject an individual to segregation or separate treatment in any matter related to his or her receipt of any service, financial aid, or other benefit under this program. 4. Restrict an individual in any way in the enjoyment of any advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving any service, financial aid, or other benefit under this program. 5. Treat an individual differently from others in determining whether he satisfies any admission, enrollment, quota, eligibility, membership or other requirement or condition