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Subject: SNAP Rights and Responsibilities of Applicants/Participants

Policy 24.00 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Effective Date: 11/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 9 2. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). 3. TDHS staff members should explain the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) complaint system to each individual who expresses an interest in filing a discrimination complaint and advise the individual of his/her right to file either in the federal or the state system or in both systems. FNS Discrimination Requirements - The complaint must contain the following information in order to facilitate the investigation: a. The name, address, and telephone number or other means of contacting the person alleging discrimination; b. The location and name of the organization or office, which is accused of discriminatory practices; c. The nature of the incident or action or the aspect of program administration that led the person to allege discrimination; d. The reason for the alleged discrimination (age, race, color, etc.); e. The names and titles (if appropriate), and the addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the alleged discriminatory acts; and f. The dates, or date on which the alleged discriminatory action occurred. 4. Reference Policy 1.01 Civil Rights Complaints for the State Requirements for Discrimination Complaints in SNAP. E. Filing a Program Complaint 1. Federal Level Responsibility – Persons or agencies desiring program information or wishing to file a complaint may contact the FNS Regional Office at this address: United States Department of Agriculture Southeast Regional Office, Food and Nutrition Services 61 Forsyth Street, SW Suite 8T36 Atlanta, GA 30303-3427 2. State Level Responsibility a. TDHS will provide a fair hearing to any person or HH aggrieved by any action, which affects their eligibility, level of benefit, or participation in the Family Assistance Programs. b. TDHS will allow informal complaints. c. Persons or agencies desiring program information or wishing to file a complaint may contact any or all of the following: i. The Field Management Director of the local county office of TDHS. Telephone number and address may be found in the telephone directory for the town designated as county seat.