Page 20

S N A P M A N U A L

20 1 . 4 I N F O R M A T I O N A L A C T I V I T I E S Program Informational Activities are those activities that convey information about SNAP, including household rights and responsibilities, through means such as publications, telephone hotlines, and face-to-face contacts. SCDSS will comply with the following minimum information requirements for applicants and recipients. (1) Nutrition information USDA FNS must encourage SCDSS to develop Nutrition Education Plans to inform applicant and participant households about the importance of a nutritious diet and the relationship between diet and health. SCDSS will encourage program participants to participate in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and, wherever practicable, allow EFNEP personnel to come into local county SNAP offices to distribute informational materials and speak with SNAP recipients. (2) Rights and responsibilities SCDSS will inform participant and applicant households of their SNAP rights and responsibilities. All SNAP informational material will be available in languages other than English as required and will include a statement that SNAP is available to all without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religious creed, national origin or political belief. The ES Worker must provide an overview of Civil Rights to applicants and recipients during the interview process. DSS Brochure 2416, Know Your Civil Rights, must be provided to clients upon request. This brochure should also be made available in the lobby of each local county office.

1 . 5 S N A P N O N D I S C R I M I N A T I O N C O M P L I A N C E The Agency will not discriminate against any applicant or participant in any aspect of SNAP administration, including, but not limited to, the certification of households, the issuance of SNAP benefits, the conduct of fair hearings, or the conduct of any other SNAP service for reasons of age, race, color, sex, disability, religious creed, national origin, or political beliefs. Individuals who believe that they have been subject to discrimination as specified in the paragraph above may file a written or oral complaint.

The ES worker may assist the individual in completing a DSS Form 2601, Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form. If a complainant makes allegations verbally and is unable or is reluctant to put the allegations in writing, the Agency employee to whom the allegations are made will document the complaint in writing, (i.e. send a detailed email to the Office of Civil Rights).