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1. Deny unlawfully to any individual, on the basis of race, color, national origin, qualified disability, sex, age, religion, or political belief, or other unlawful basis, the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid of any program administered by it; 2. Aid or perpetuate unlawful discrimination against a client by contracting with, licensing, or otherwise utilizing providers who discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, qualified disability, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, or other unlawful basis. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 28, Issue No. 12, eff December 24, 2004. 114–220. Administrative Civil Rights Reviews. A. The OCR of the Department of Social Services shall review, at least biennially, appropriate programs and offices of the Department to assess compliance with federal and state civil rights laws. Recommendations, if any, will be provided to appropriate Department management. B. OCR may initiate a compliance review based on one or more discrimination complaints filed by a client or by a person on behalf of a client or clients. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 28, Issue No. 12, eff December 24, 2004. 114–230. Filing Complaints of Discrimination. A. Clients who believe that they have suffered from the unlawful discriminatory acts of the Department while applying for or accessing Department benefits or services may address a signed, written complaint to any of the following: 1. The Office of Civil Rights of the South Carolina Department of Social Services 2. The State Director of the Department 3. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights 4. USDA Food and Nutrition Services, Civil Rights Division 5. US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division B. Complainants shall file their complaints as quickly as possible. Each complaint shall include the name of the complainant and sufficient information for the Department to contact that person by mail, a clear description and the date(s) of the alleged discriminatory act, and the Department employee or volunteer that was allegedly involved. No complaint will be investigated unless it meets the following criteria: 1. The complaint must be in writing and signed by the complainant. When requested, accommo- dation or assistance will be provided to complainants in reducing their complaints to written form. 2. The complaint must be received by the department or by one of the above listed agencies within one hundred eighty days of the alleged discriminatory act. The Department may waive the one hundred eighty day limit if the complainant can show good cause for the delay in timeliness. The determination as to whether or not good cause exists rests solely with the Department. 3. The allegation must fall within the definition of discrimination under federal and state laws. 4. The complainant must be a member of a protected class as defined under federal and state discrimination laws. HISTORY: Amended by State Register Volume 28, Issue No. 12, eff December 24, 2004. 114–240. Investigation of Complaints. A. The OCR shall assess the complaint to be sure it meets mandated criteria for timeliness, adequacy, and jurisdiction and shall determine whether or not to accept the complaint for investiga- tion. 1. For complaints that are not accepted for investigation, the OCR may either: a. Notify the complainant of OCR’s determination and the reason not to investigate, or: b. Notify the complainant that OCR has referred the complaint to the appropriate Department Division, Agency, or entity. 2. For complaints that are accepted for investigation, the OCR shall: