How to File a Program Discrimination
Complaint
In USDA programs, discrimination is prohibited on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, age,national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, limited English
proficiency, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from a public assistanceprogram. In programs that receive Federal financial assistance from USDA, discrimination isprohibited on the bases of race, color, religious creed, sex, political beliefs, age, disability, nationalorigin, or limited English proficiency. (Not all bases apply to all programs.) Reprisal is prohibited
based on prior civil rights activity. The OASCR, through the Office of Adjudication, investigatesand resolves complaints of discrimination in programs operated or assisted by USDA.
To file a program discrimination complaint, you may obtain a complaint form by sending an email
to Cr-info@ascr.usda.gov . You or your authorized representative must sign the complaint form.
You are not required to use the complaint form. You may also file a program discrimination
complaint by writing a letter to the Office of Adjudication at the address that follows:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Director, Office of Adjudication
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410
For additional information about what to include in your letter, see How to File a Program
Discrimination Complaint, on our Web site. For information on the discrimination complaint
process, contact the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Information ResearchService, on (202) 260-1026 or (866) 632-9992 (toll free) or send an email to the Office of theAssistant Secretary for Civil Rights at CR-INFO@ascr.usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hardof hearing, or have speech disabilities, may contact us through the Federal Relay Service on (800)877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).
USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form

What do I need to include in my complaint letter?
Include the following in your complaint letter:•••

Your name, address and telephone number.
The name, address, and telephone number of your attorney or authorized representative, if
you are represented.
The basis of your complaint. The basis is what you believe was the motivating factor forthe discrimination. For example, you may believe you were treated differently because ofyour race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation,familial/parental status, disability, or because all or a part of an individual's income isderived from a public assistance program. (Not all bases apply to all programs).

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The date(s) that the incident(s) you are reporting as discrimination occurred. Please notethat we cannot accept a complaint about an incident that took place more than 180 days
prior to the filing of the complaint. If the discrimination occurred more than 180 days prior
to filing your complaint, you may request a waiver of the filing requirement. (See waiver
information below.)
The name of the individual(s) or entity you believe discriminated against you and theagency or recipient that employs that/those individual(s).
The issue(s) of your complaint. The issue is a description of what happened, or the actionthat was taken by the individual(s) or agency that discriminated against you, resulting insome harm. Explain as clearly as possible what happened, why you believe it happened,
and how you were discriminated against. Please include how other persons were treateddifferently from you, if applicable. If you were denied a benefit or service, please provide
a copy of the denial letter. If you have documents to support the events you are reporting,provide a copy of the supporting documents.

How do I request a waiver of the 180-day filing deadline?
A waiver may be granted for the following reasons: (1) the discriminatory act could not reasonably
be expected to be known within the 180-day period; (2) illness or incapacitation; (3) the samecomplaint was filed with another Federal, state, or local agency; and (4) any other basis determinedby the Director of the Office of Adjudication.

Who may I contact for further information on filing a program discrimination
complaint?
You may contact the Office of Adjudication Customer Service Unit for further information at(866) 632-9992 (toll free) (202) 260-1026, or (202) 401-0216 (TDD).