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How to File a Discrimination Complaint

California county welfare departments may not discriminate against you on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, marital status or age. This means that these agencies must provide the same aid, benefits and services to all individuals and groups, except as authorized by federal or state law or the Governor's executive order.

If you believe that you have been discriminated against in the application or receipt of benefits or services, you may take one or all of the following actions:

  • You may talk with the county welfare department's Civil Rights Coordinator. State the basis of the discrimination (age, race, sex, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, color), thespecific allegation (who, what, when) and the resolution you are seeking.

    You have 180 days from the date the alleged discrimination occurred to make a complaint or request an investigation. The Civil Rights Coordinator will determine whether your complaint can be resolved or will require a descrimination investigation. If an investigation is necessary, the Civil Rights Coordinator will investigate and inform you of the outcome.

  • You may file a discrimination complaint with CDSS by email at: crb@dss.ca.gov

    You can file by telephone at (916) 654-2107; toll free 1/866-882-4637; TDD/TTY users may call direct: (916) 654-2098 or collect by calling (800) 688-47486; or call via the California Relay Service operator at (800) 735-2929.

    You may file by writing to:

    California Department of Social Services
    Civil Rights Bureau
    P.O. Box 944243, M.S. 15-70
    Sacramento, CA 94244-2430

    You may also use our "Complaint of Discrimination" forms by clicking on your preferred language below:

    English
    Cambodian
    Chinese
    Russian
    Spanish
    Vietnamese
    Arabic
    Farsi
    Korean
    Tagalog
    Hmong
    Lao
    Armenian

    The form cannot be completed online. You will need to print the form, fill it out, then mail it to the address stated above. Please note that use of this form is not required.

    You may also FAX your complaint to our office at (916) 653-9332

  • You may also file a discrimination complaint with the appropriate federal agency:

    If your complaint involves the Food Stamp Program and is based on race, color, national origin, political affiliation, religion, sex, age or disability, write to:

    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    14th & Independence Avenue SW
    Administration Building
    Washington D.C. 20250
    1-800-344-8477

    If your complaint is in other public assistance programs and involves the bases of race, color, national origin, age, or disability, write to:

    U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
    Office of Civil Rights
    50 United Nations Plaza
    San Francisco, CA 94102
    1-800-368-1019

Your Rights Under The California Welfare Programs "Pub 13" Pamphlet

This pamphlet describes your rights and explains what you can do if you have a complaint. The information is for persons applying for, receiving, or who have received aid or services. The pamphlet:

  • spells out your rights as an applicant/recipient
  • specifies that multilingual services are available
  • lists the TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf)
  • explains the steps you can take if you do not agree with the action of your application or service
  • explains the State Hearings process
  • outlines actions you can take for discrimination complaints, and
  • identifies state and federal contacts

The links below (see instruction to print) offer the complete Pub 13 in the following languages:

English , Large print ,
Arabic ,
Armenian ,
Cambodian ,
Chinese ,
Farsi ,
Hmong ,
Korean ,
Laotian ,
Russian ,
Spanish , Large print
Tagalog ,
Vietnamese

To request a copy of the Pub 13 in audiotape or Braille, contact the Civil Rights Bureau: crb@dss.ca.gov .