Page 5

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES MANUAL

GENERAL PROCEDURES & REQUIREMENTS

FNS 115 ADMINISTRATION OF THE FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES PROGRAM

5 Change #1-2021 May 1, 2021 1. Certification of the household; 2. Issuance of benefits; 3. Conduct of fair hearings; or 4. Conduct of any other program service. B. It is the policy of Department of Health and Human Services to provide services, care, benefits, and assistance to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or political beliefs. You can get information about regulations against discrimination and how to file a complaint by writing the: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Social Services Carlotta Dixon, MHS, CPM Program Compliance Section Chief Equal Employment Opportunity Title VI Civil Rights Coordinator 2401 Mail Service Center Raleigh, N.C. 27699-2401 Refer to Section 120, Complaints and Fair Hearings

C. County Responsibilities 1. Each county has the responsibility to: a. Publicize the procedures described in Section 120.02, Fair Hearings, and 120.03, Discrimination Complaints. b. Display the DSS-8240 and the DSS-8240sp, Food and Nutrition Services Complaint Procedures form. c. Ensure that all offices involved in administering the program and serving the public display the nondiscrimination poster provided by USDA/FNS. d. Ensure that participants and other low-income households have access to information regarding nondiscrimination statutes and policies, complaint procedures, and the rights of participants within ten days of the date of a request. e. Ensure that applicants and recipients are advised of their rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. f. When an individual alleges discrimination verbally, complete the NCDHHS Complaint Form and mail to the address in Section 115.04 B. within five calendar days of receipt of complaint. g. Mail written complaints of discrimination to the address in Section 115.04 B. within five calendar days of receipt.