U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

Washington DC 20425

Visit us on the Web: www.usccr.gov
U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an 

independent, bipartisan agency established 

by Congress in 1957. It is directed to:

• Investigate complaints alleging that citizens are 

being deprived of their right to vote by reason of their 

race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national 

origin, or by reason of fraudulent practices.

• Study and collect information relating to 

discrimination or a denial of equal protection of 

the laws under the Constitution because of race, 

color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national 

origin, or in the administration of justice.

• Appraise federal laws and policies with respect to 

discrimination or denial of equal protection of the laws 

because of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or 

national origin, or in the administration of justice.

• Serve as a national clearinghouse for information 

in respect to discrimination or denial of equal 

protection of the laws because of race, color, 

religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin.

• Submit reports, findings, and recommendations 

to the President and Congress.

• Issue public service announcements to discourage 

discrimination or denial of equal protection of the laws.

MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION

Martin R. Castro, Chairperson

Roberta Achtenberg

Gail L. Heriot

Peter N. Kirsanow

David Kladney

Karen Narasaki

Patricia Timmons-Goodson

Michael Yaki

Marlene Sallo, Staff Director

U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20425

(202) 376-8128 voice

TTY Relay: 711

www.usccr.gov
Getting Uncle Sam to

Enforce Your 

Civil Rights 

United States Commission on Civil Rights 

Clearinghouse Publication 59 

Revised September 2014 

iii

Letter from the Staff Director

Dear Reader,

Getting Uncle Sam to Enforce Your Civil Rights is a comprehensive resource for the 

American public that explains where and how an aggrieved individual can file a 

discrimination claim. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights publishes this guide to aid 

the public in accessing entities responsible for civil rights enforcement. The Commission 

lacks enforcement powers to apply remedies in individual cases; however, it refers many 

of the complaints it receives to the appropriate federal, state, or local government 

agencies, or private organizations that are authorized to help.

This publication is one of many that the Commission issues as part of its duty to serve as 

a national clearinghouse for information about discrimination or denial of equal 

protection of the laws because of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national 

origin. The Commission and its State Advisory Committees have produced and 

disseminated hundreds of reports, studies, and public service announcements on national, 

regional, and local civil rights matters. These include the Commission’s Civil Rights 

Journal, published periodically, which contains articles on topical civil rights issues. 

Copies of Commission publications, as well as a “Catalog of Publications,” are available 

free to the public, by request to the Publications Office, U.S. Commission on Civil 

Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20425. This is 

also the location of the Commission’s Robert S. Rankin Civil Rights Memorial Library, 

which is open to the public during business hours on weekdays (by appointment only). In 

addition, many of the Commission’s more recent publications, including this one, can be 

accessed on its website at www.usccr.gov. The Commission periodically updates the 

online version of this publication.

The Commission’s reports and studies result from the agency’s mandate to appraise 

federal civil rights laws and policies, investigate complaints of voting rights violations, 

and study and collect information relating to discrimination or a denial of equal 

protection of the laws. Fact-finding for carrying out these functions includes the holding 

of hearings, briefings, presentations, and forums in Washington and other locations 

around the country, to gather evidence and information for findings and reports. These 

Commission activities examine important civil rights issues of both national and local 

impact and are open to the public.

To obtain a referral, individuals may call the Commission’s toll-free complaint line, or 

any of the Commission’s six regional offices in Washington, DC; Atlanta; Chicago; 

Kansas City; Denver; and Los Angeles (see pages 3 and 95 of this publication). The 

Commission’s regional offices coordinate local operations and assist the Commission’s 

v

Acknowledgments

This publication was produced by the Office of Civil Rights Evaluation. Principal 

research and editing were performed by Latrice D. Foshee, Teresa Brooks and Margaret 

Butler. 

vi

Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1

2. How to File a Complaint ......................................................................................... 4

3. When and Where to File a Complaint ................................................................... 5

Credit......................................................................................................................... 5

Education................................................................................................................. 11

Employment ............................................................................................................ 14

Federally Assisted Programs................................................................................... 25

Hate Crimes/Campus Anti-Semitism ...................................................................... 35

Housing ................................................................................................................... 36

Law Enforcement .................................................................................................... 38

Public Accommodations and Facilities ................................................................... 42

Voting...................................................................................................................... 44

4. Special Circumstances........................................................................................... 47

Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination ................................................. 47

Institutionalized Persons.......................................................................................... 48

Military Personnel ................................................................................................... 49

Native Americans.................................................................................................... 49

5. More Help .............................................................................................................. 51

Discrimination Law Guides..................................................................................... 51

Legal Action............................................................................................................ 51

6. Agency Regional, District, or Local Offices ........................................................ 52

Bureau of Prisons .................................................................................................... 52

Comptroller of the Currency ................................................................................... 53

Department of Education......................................................................................... 54

Department of Health and Human Services ............................................................ 57

Department of Housing and Urban Development ................................................... 59

Department of Labor ............................................................................................... 62

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ........................................................ 66

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation................................................................... 71

Federal Reserve ....................................................................................................... 73

Merit Systems Protection Board.............................................................................. 75

National Credit Union Administration .................................................................... 77

Office of Thrift Supervision .................................................................................... 79

United States Attorneys’ Offices............................................................................. 80

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights ........................................................................... 95

1 

1. INTRODUCTION

There are many federal laws against discrimination. They were passed to protect people 

who, because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, are 

denied their rights. 

Discrimination might occur when an individual attempts to vote; rent or buy a home; use 

a public facility; obtain a job, an education, or a bank loan; or do many other things. 

Discrimination is illegal when an individual is denied an opportunity or a service based 

on: 

 race, which is generally understood to be membership in a racial group.

Depending on which law is involved, membership in an ethnic group can also

constitute race;

 color, which refers to a person’s actual skin shade, and may constitute a separate

discrimination factor regardless of the person’s race;

 sex, which refers to gender;

 religion, which refers to a person’s religious beliefs and practices, or lack thereof,

or a person’s membership in a religious group;

 national origin, which refers to an individual’s country of origin, the origin of an

individual’s ancestors, or the physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics of a

particular nationality. This includes characteristics such as last name, accent, and

cultural heritage;

 age, which refers to persons aged 40 or over; or

 disability, which refers to physical or mental impairments that substantially limit

one or more major life activities of an individual.

If you believe that you have been discriminated against and want to file a complaint with 

the federal government, this publication is intended to help you. 

This publication will help you review your rights and guide you through the initial steps 

of filing a discrimination complaint; it will not inform you of all the steps involved in 

successfully pursuing the complaint after you have filed it. If you desire a detailed 

description of the overall process beyond the initial steps, further information can be 

obtained by contacting the federal, state, and local officials or one or more of the 

organizations listed in this publication. 
2

How do you prepare a complaint? Where do you send it?

Before you file a discrimination complaint, you should seek more information from:

 trained legal counsel;

 federal, state, and local officials; and/or

 public service organizations referenced in this publication.

States, counties, and municipalities also have laws against discrimination, which 

sometimes provide different protection or relief. If they have laws that apply to your 

complaint, you may file with them instead of, or in addition to, filing with the federal 

government. The federal government has arrangements with some state and local 

governments to refer certain kinds of complaints to these localities for processing.

Among the federal laws that require people to be treated equally are the Equal Pay Act of 

1963, the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Executive 

Order 11,246 (1965), as amended by Executive Order 11,375 (1967), the Age 

Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Fair Housing Act of 1968, Title IX of the 

Education Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Equal Credit 

Opportunity Act of 1974, the Equal Educational Opportunity Act of 1974, the Age 

Discrimination Act of 1975, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975, the 

Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 

1986, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, 

the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Voting Rights Language Assistance Act of 

1992, and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. 

Many federal agencies are responsible for enforcing these laws and the regulations to 

implement them. Some agencies require individuals to complete a complaint form before 

they act against an individual or organization that violates people’s rights. Because laws 

and regulations frequently require that complaints be filed within certain time limits, it is

important to file immediately after the discriminatory act occurs. While this 

publication provides telephone numbers, complainants are strongly encouraged to submit 

a written complaint, attaching copies of all pertinent information. At some point in the 

process, the agency most probably will require written documentation.
3

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) has no power to enforce laws and, 

hence, cannot resolve individual complaints of discrimination. However, after reading 

this publication, if you are still uncertain what agency you should contact to file a 

complaint of discrimination, you may contact the Commission at the following address 

and we can assist you by referring your matter to the appropriate civil rights enforcement 

agency:

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Office of Civil Rights Evaluation

COMPLAINTS REFERRAL

1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1150

Washington, DC 20425

(202) 376-8513

(800) 552-6843

TTY Relay: 711

Fax: (202) 376-7754

www.referrals@usccr.gov

You may also contact the appropriate USCCR regional office. See page 95.
4

2. HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT

Your complaint should be in writing, preferably typed or printed neatly, dated, signed, 

and should include the following information:

 your name;

 your address, and your home and work telephone numbers;

 the name(s) and address(es) of the person(s) and/or establishment you believe to 

have discriminated against you;

 a description of the act(s) of discrimination. This should include the date and place 

of the action(s), and what you believe to be the basis for discrimination (race, sex, 

etc.); and

 the name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of any person(s) with 

information concerning your complaint.

When your complaint is investigated, you may be asked to provide copies of receipts, 

contracts, or other records supporting your claim of discrimination. Any materials that 

you would want returned should not be sent with your initial complaint.

Generally, most government agencies require that complaints be postmarked within 180 

days of the discriminatory action. You should, however, inquire about specific deadlines 

that may apply to your case. Depending on your type of case or your status, you may be 

required to file your complaint earlier.
5

3. WHEN AND WHERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT

Some agencies handle complaints only at their Washington, DC, headquarters; others 

process them through regional or local offices. Some handle them at both places. For 

more details, take note of any special instructions regarding the filing of complaints at the 

specific agencies listed throughout this publication.

Credit

Federal laws such as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 and the Fair Housing Act 

of 1968, as amended, prohibit discrimination in providing credit or credit-related 

services. Both laws prohibit discrimination in residential real estate transactions, and the 

Equal Credit Opportunity Act also prohibits discrimination in consumer and business or 

commercial loans. In all credit transactions, you are protected from discrimination that 

occurs on the basis of your race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age (provided the 

applicant has the capacity to contract), national origin, or receipt of public assistance, or 

because you have exercised a right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. In credit 

transactions related to housing, you are also protected from discrimination because of 

family status or disability. According to these laws, when you apply for credit a creditor 

may not:

 discourage you from applying;

 ask you to reveal your gender, race, national origin, or religion. A creditor may 

ask you to voluntarily disclose this information if you are applying for a home 

loan. A creditor may also ask about your residence or immigration status;

 ask whether you are divorced or widowed;

 ask what is your marital status if you are applying for individual, unsecured credit, 

unless you live in a community property state;

 ask you for information about your husband or wife. A creditor may ask about 

your spouse, or former spouse, if: your spouse is applying with you; your spouse 

will be allowed to use the account; you are relying on your spouse’s income or on 

alimony or child support income from a former spouse; or if you reside in a 

community property state;

 ask about your plans for having or rearing children; or

 ask if you receive alimony, child support, or separate maintenance payments.

When deciding whether to give you credit, a creditor may not:

 consider your gender, marital status, race, color, national origin, or religion;
6

 consider the race of the people who live in the neighborhood where you want to 

buy, or improve, a house with borrowed money; or

 consider your age, unless you are too young to sign a binding contract, generally 

under 18 years of age, or if the information is to be used to see whether your 

income will be reduced with retirement.

When evaluating your income, a creditor may not:

 refuse to consider public assistance income, alimony, child support, or separate 

maintenance payments if that income is received consistently;

 discount income because of your gender or marital status or on any basis for 

which discrimination is prohibited;

 discount or refuse to consider income derived from pension, annuity, or retirement 

benefits programs; or

 discount or refuse to consider income derived from part-time employment, but 

you may have to show that this income can be expected to continue.

You also have the right to:

 have the credit in your birth name, your first name, and your spouse’s last name, 

or your first name and combined last names;

 obtain credit without a cosigner, if you meet the creditor’s standards;

 have a cosigner other than your husband or wife, if one is necessary;

 keep your own account after you change your name, marital status, reach a certain 

age, or retire, unless the creditor has evidence that you are unable or unwilling to 

pay;

 know within 30 days of filing your application whether it has been accepted or 

rejected;

 know specifically why an application was rejected, since indefinite and vague 

reasons are illegal; 

 learn the specific reasons why you were offered less favorable terms than those 

for which you applied; and

 receive copies of appraisal reports for credit that is to be secured by a dwelling.

If you think you have been discriminated against by a creditor:

 in being discouraged from applying for credit or a loan,

 in being given unfair terms for credit or a loan, or
7

 in being denied credit or a loan,

write to the agency in charge of enforcing the equal credit practices of that lender.

A creditor must give you the name and address of the appropriate enforcement agency 

when it turns down the terms you request or denies you credit. If a lender does not offer 

you this information or refuses to give it to you, write to the appropriate agency in the list 

that follows. These agencies may not resolve individual complaints, but they will use 

consumer comments to decide which companies to investigate.

You should also complain if you think a lender is “redlining”—refusing to make loans, or 

setting different conditions for loans, on property in a community because of the area’s 

racial, religious, or ethnic population. When certain financial institutions try to get 

approval from their regulatory agency to:

 obtain federal deposit insurance,

 establish a facility authorized to receive deposits, or relocate an existing office,

 merge or consolidate with, or acquire another institution,

 acquire deposits from another institution, or

 form a bank or savings association holding company,

individuals and community groups have an opportunity to comment on whether the 

institution is redlining as an objection to its approval for the proposed transaction. You 

can request the regulatory agency to place you on its mailing list so you are aware of the 

comment period for:

 a nationally chartered bank (National or N.A. will be part of the name) or a 

federally insured savings association or federally chartered savings bank. Write to 

one of the district offices of the Comptroller of the Currency listed on page 53. 

For publications or additional information contact:

Comptroller of the Currency

Customer Assistance Group

1301 McKinney Street, Suite 3450

Houston, TX 77010

(800) 613-6743

TTY: (713) 336-4301

www.occ.treas.gov
8

 a bank holding company or state-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal 

Reserve System. Write to one of the Federal Reserve Banks listed on page 73 or 

contact:

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Division of Consumer and Community Affairs

20th and C Streets, NW

Mail Stop 801

Washington, DC 20551-0001

(202) 452-3693

Fax: (202) 728-5850

www.federalreserve.gov

or

Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Publications Services

20th and C Streets, NW

Mail Stop 127

Washington, DC 20551-0001

(202) 452-3245

 a state-chartered bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (it 

will display the FDIC symbol) and not a member of the Federal Reserve System. 

Write to one of the regional offices on page 71 or to:

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Consumer Affairs

550 17th Street, NW, Suite 5112

Washington, DC 20429

(877) 275-3342

TDD: (800) 925-4618

www.fdic.gov
9

Although federal credit unions are not subject to the Community Reinvestment Act, they 

must comply with fair lending laws and the nondiscrimination rules issued by their 

regulators. Forward any complaint to one of the regional offices of the National Credit 

Union Administration listed on page 77 or to:

National Credit Union Administration

1775 Duke Street, Suite 4206

Alexandria, VA 22314-3437

(703) 519-4600 

TTY: (703) 518-6332

Fax: (703) 518-6429 

www.ncua.gov

Complaints against a state-chartered credit union should be forwarded to the state office 

that oversees credit unions or to the Federal Trade Commission listed on page 10.

Complaints against an institution of the U.S. Cooperative Farm Credit System, such as 

farm credit banks, federal land bank associations, production credit associations, 

agricultural credit banks, federal land credit associations, and agricultural credit 

associations should be forwarded to:

Farm Credit Administration

Office of Congressional and Public Affairs

1501 Farm Credit Drive

McLean, VA 22102-5090

V/TTY: (703) 883-4056

Fax: (703) 790-3260

www.fca.gov

Complaints of discrimination in benefits or services provided by recipients of Small 

Business Administration (SBA) financial assistance or SBA program offices should be 

forwarded to:

U.S. Small Business Administration

Equal Employment Opportunity and Civil Rights Compliance

409 Third Street, SW, Suite 6400

Washington, DC 20416

(202) 205-6750

TTY: (202) 205-7150

Fax: (202) 205-7580

www.sba.gov
10

If you think you have been discriminated against in violation of the Fair Housing Act, 

contact one of the HUD enforcement centers listed on page 59 or:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

Office of Investigations

451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 5204

Washington, DC 20410-2000

(202) 619-8041

(202) 708-0836

Hot line: (800) 669-9777

Fax: (202) 708-1425

www.hud.gov

Financial institutions have an obligation to meet the credit needs of your community, 

even though it may be characterized by low- or moderate-income residents. The 

Department of Justice handles discrimination complaints filed against all kinds of 

creditors. It may sue lenders who show a pattern or practice of equal credit opportunity 

violations, or file suit in cases referred to it by the agencies that initially investigate 

complaints. To contact the Department of Justice, call or write to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Housing and Civil Enforcement Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-4713

Fax: (202) 514-1116

www.usdoj.gov

For more information on discrimination in credit-lending and credit-related services, 

including information about bringing suit under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, call 

the Federal Trade Commission or write to:

Federal Trade Commission

Complaints

600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20580

(202) 326-2222

Hot line: (877) 382-4357

www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov
11

Education

According to federal laws that prohibit discrimination because of race, color, national 

origin, sex, age, or disability in programs that receive federal financial assistance, any 

program or activity that receives funds from the Department of Education must operate in 

a nondiscriminatory manner.

Any educational or other institution or facility that receives federal financial assistance 

may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age so 

as to:

 deny you or your child aid, a service, or a benefit afforded others;

 provide you or your child an inferior service;

 segregate you or your child on the basis of race, color, or national origin;

 segregate you or your child on the basis of sex, other than for contact sports or 

varsity athletic competition, or segregate you or your child on the basis of 

disability where such segregation is not educationally necessary;

 deny admission to schools or postsecondary institutions on the basis of race, color, 

national origin, or age, or generally, on the basis of sex except with regard to 

admission to religious undergraduate institutions;

 engage in conduct that has the effect of denying you or your child aid, a service, 

or a benefit, or otherwise discriminating against you or your child;

 deny or restrict you or your child’s access to elementary, secondary, or vocational 

education because you are, or your child is, limited-English proficient;

 or otherwise treat you or your child adversely on the basis of race, color, national 

origin, gender, disability, or age.

Schools may not discriminate against students because of pregnancy, parenthood, or 

marital status. Such discrimination includes barring a student from classes or 

extracurricular activities or expulsion.

In sports, schools must provide equivalent treatment, services, and benefits to students of 

both sexes.

Civil rights laws protecting individuals from discrimination in programs (all activities of 

an institution) that receive federal funds extend to all state educational agencies, 

elementary and secondary school systems, colleges and universities, vocational schools, 

proprietary schools, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, libraries, and museums that 

receive federal financial assistance.
12

These programs may include, but are not limited to, admissions, recruitment, financial 

aid, academic programs, student treatment and services, counseling and guidance, 

discipline, classroom assignment, grading, vocational education, recreation, physical 

education, athletics, housing, and employment.

Federal antidiscrimination laws apply to the entire program even if the federal assistance 

affects only a small portion of the program.

In addition, Executive Order 13160 prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, color, 

national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, and status as a parent in 

federally-conducted education and training programs.

If you think you or your child has been discriminated against by a public school, college, 

or university, or a private school, college, or university that receives federal financial 

assistance, you may file a formal complaint against the institution receiving federal funds 

with the appropriate regional office of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. 

Department of Education listed on page 54 or with:

U.S. Department of Education

Office for Civil Rights

Lyndon Baines Johnson Building

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202

(800) 421-3481

TDD: (800) 877-8339

Fax: (202) 453-6012

www.ed.gov

The person or organization filing the complaint need not be a victim of the alleged 

discrimination, but may complain on behalf of another person or group.

The complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the date of the alleged 

discrimination. However, if you already filed under the educational institution’s 

grievance procedures, you will be allowed 60 days from the last act of the institution 

grievance process. Your formal complaint should include the information outlined in 

Chapter 2 and also state whether you think a whole group of students or teachers is being 

discriminated against.

Certain complaints should also be sent to the U.S. Attorney General, who may bring suit 

after receiving a written and signed complaint from:

 a parent (or group of parents), stating that his or her child is one of a group being 

discriminated against by a school board; or
13

 an individual, or his or her parent, stating that he or she has been denied admission 

to, or dismissed from, a public college, university, or postsecondary vocational or 

technical school because of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.

These complaints should be sent to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Educational Opportunities Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-4092

Fax: (202) 514-8337

www.usdoj.gov

If you think you or your child has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, 

or national or ethnic origin by a nonprofit private school that is exempt from federal 

income tax, you should contact IRS at the following address. IRS can revoke the tax 

exemption of a private school that has a racially discriminatory policy, which includes 

discrimination on the bases of color and national or ethnic origin.

Internal Revenue Service

Director, Exempt Organizations Division

1111 Constitution Avenue, NW, 3rd Floor

Washington, DC 20224

(877) 829-5500

www.irs.gov

If you think your child has been discriminated against because of race, color, or national 

origin by a vocational, technical, elementary, or secondary school that is privately owned, 

operated for profit, and not run by a hospital, you should write to:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Office of Resolution Management

810 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20420

(202) 501-2800

(888) 737-3361

Fax: (202) 501-2674

www.va.gov

The Department of Veterans Affairs can act if it pays benefits for any veteran enrolled 

at the school or otherwise assists that school, even if the person discriminated against is 

not a veteran.
14

In addition, federal laws require that public schools provide a free and appropriate public 

education to children with disabilities. If you believe that your local school system has 

failed to identify your child’s disability, incorrectly identified your child as an individual 

with a disability, failed to provide an appropriate educational program for your child, 

failed to carry out the program established for your child, or has unnecessarily separated 

your child from other children for all or part of the school day, your child may have rights 

under one or more of the federal laws that govern the education of children with 

disabilities.

School systems must have formal procedures for identifying, evaluating, and establishing 

educational programs for children with disabilities. They must also offer a hearing when 

the parent and school officials disagree whether the program established for a child is 

appropriate.

Also, if you believe that your child’s civil rights were violated because of a failure to 

follow proper procedures for identifying, evaluating, or placing a student with a 

disability, or because of a failure to carry out the provisions of your child’s educational 

plan, or were otherwise violated because of discrimination based on disability, you may 

file a complaint by writing to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

listed on page 12.

For more information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, write to:

U.S. Department of Education

Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education

and Rehabilitative Services

Mary E. Switzer Building

330 C Street, SW

Washington, DC 20202-2500

(800) 872-5327

TTY: (800) 877-0996

www.ed.gov

Employment

Various federal laws protect you from discrimination in employment on the basis of race, 

color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Discrimination by employers with 

15 or more employees is prohibited in all aspects of the hiring and employment process: 

job application, hiring, firing, promoting, training, wage earning, or any other terms, 

privileges, or conditions of employment provided or imposed by the employer.

If you believe that you have been discriminated against on any of these bases, you should 

contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) at:
15

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

131 M Street, NE

Washington, DC 20507

To file charges or reach a field office: (800) 669-4000

Information and publication center: (800) 669-3362

(202) 663-4900

TTY: (202) 663-4494

TTY: (800) 800-3302

www.eeoc.gov

RACE AND COLOR

You cannot be denied equal employment opportunity because of your racial group or skin 

shade, or because you associate with members of some racial group.

NATIONAL ORIGIN

You cannot be denied equal employment opportunity because of your birthplace, 

ancestry, or culture, or because you have some intimate association with members of a 

specific ethnic group, such as by marriage or a shared place of worship.

Likewise, you cannot be denied equal employment opportunity because of your accent or 

manner of speaking. If an employer believes that an English-proficiency rule is critical 

for business purposes, he or she must inform you of the rule and the consequences of its 

violation before applying the rule to you.

RELIGION

You cannot be denied equal employment opportunity because of your religious practices 

or beliefs. Religious practices include the exercise of moral and ethical beliefs held with 

the strength of religious beliefs. If you think your employer has a work requirement (such 

as a dress code or a work schedule that conflicts with your Sabbath observance) that 

interferes with your religious practices or beliefs, you must inform them of what 

reasonable accommodations can be provided to suit your needs. The employer is 

obligated to try to accommodate your religious practices, unless doing so would create an 

undue hardship on the operation of the business.

SEX

You cannot be denied equal employment opportunity because of your gender.
16

EQUAL PAY

It is illegal for an employer to pay you wages at a rate less than the rate of wages paid to

employees of the opposite sex for equal work on jobs that require equal skill, effort, and 

responsibility and are performed under similar working conditions, unless a pay 

differential is warranted by a seniority system, a merit system, a system that measures 

earnings by quantity or quality of production, or is based on a factor other than gender.

PREGNANCY

You cannot be denied equal employment opportunity because of pregnancy, childbirth, or 

related medical conditions. Any health insurance provided by an employer must cover 

expenses for pregnancy-related conditions on the same basis as costs for other medical 

conditions. Leave for child care should be granted on the same basis as leave granted to 

employees for other nonmedical reasons, such as non-job-related travel or education, and 

should be available to both men and women.

HARASSMENT

Hostile or abusive verbal or physical conduct based on race, color, sex, religion, national 

origin, age, or disability is unlawful if it is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create an 

intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

DISABILITY

If you have a disability, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects you from 

employment discrimination. The ADA prohibits employers with 15 or more employees 

from:

 discriminating against you on the basis of physical or mental disability;

 asking you to take medical exams before making a conditional job offer;

 asking you questions about your disability before making a conditional job offer;

 denying you health or other fringe benefits that are provided to other employees; 

and

 placing you in a job situation that limits your opportunities or status.

If you are able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable 

accommodation, the employer has to provide you with reasonable accommodations for 

your disability, as long as such accommodations do not impose an undue hardship on the 

operations of the enterprise. An employer may not ask interview questions about your 

disabilities; inquiries should be about your skills related to the job.
17

For more information on workplace discrimination against people with disabilities, 

contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission listed on page 15.

You may also write to:

U.S. Department of Labor 

Office of Disability Employment Policy

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20210

(866) 633-7365

TTY: (877) 889-5627

www.dol.gov/dol/odep/welcome.html

or

A service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy:

Job Accommodation Network

West Virginia University

P.O. Box 6080

Morgantown, WV 26506

Voice/TTY: (800) 526-7234

Fax: (304) 293-5407

BBS: (800) 342-5526

Regional Disability and Business Accommodation Centers

Voice/TTY: (800) 949-4232

www.jan.wvu.edu

AGE

If you are 40 years of age or older, it is illegal for an employer with 20 or more 

employees to:

 discriminate against you in your compensation or terms, conditions, or privileges 

of employment based on your age;

 classify or segregate you, or limit your activities so you are deprived of job 

opportunities or adversely affected in employment status;

 discriminate against you in the operation of a seniority system; and

 with certain narrow exceptions, discriminate against you with respect to employee 

benefit plans, fringe benefits, or pension benefits.

It is also illegal for an employer to indicate an age preference or limitation in notices or 

advertisements for employment, unless age is a genuine job qualification.
18

Classifications and preferences based on age have been allowed only in narrow 

circumstances, generally in jobs involving public safety. To justify unequal treatment, the 

employer must show that age is a genuine qualification of the job and that there is no 

other course of action that would achieve the goals of the company with a less 

discriminatory impact.

For more information on age discrimination in the workplace, contact the Equal 

Employment Opportunity Commission on page 15.

FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you are entitled to a maximum of 12 

weeks of unpaid leave during a 12-month period if you work for an employer who has 

had at least 50 employees during the current or preceding year, you have worked for the 

employer for at least 12 months, and you have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12-

month period before the leave starts. You must also work at a particular work site where 

there are at least 50 employees within a 75-mile radius. During the leave, the employer 

must continue to provide group health benefits on the same basis that such benefits are 

provided when you are at work. The employer must also restore you to the same or an 

equivalent position when you are ready to return to work. Leave may be taken for the 

birth and care of a new child, for placement for adoption or foster care of a child with 

you, to care for your spouse, child, or a parent who has a serious health condition, or if 

you must be absent due to your serious health condition. You may elect or the employer 

may require you to use accrued paid leave during such periods. FMLA leave may also 

run concurrently with workers’ compensation leave or leave covered by short- or longterm disability policies. Employers may not refuse leave, interfere with use of leave, or in 

any way discriminate against someone who has used leave. The FMLA protects men 

and women equally and is enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor. The federal 

law does not supersede more generous provisions included in state laws, collective 

bargaining agreements, or employers’ policies. Any less generous provision in such laws, 

agreements, or policies are, however, superseded by FMLA provisions.

If you feel that your rights under family or medical leave have been violated, you may 

file a complaint with the local office of the Wage and Hour Division of the 

Department of Labor or you may initiate private action. The address and telephone 

number of local offices can be found in telephone directories for large cities under U.S. 

Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour 

Division. If you cannot locate this information, contact the regional office of the Wage 

and Hour Division listed on page 64 or headquarters listed below.

If you file a complaint with the Wage and Hour Division, the Division will attempt to 

resolve your complaint administratively by contacting your employer on your behalf. If 

these efforts fail, the Division may attempt to litigate on your behalf, depending on the 
19

facts and circumstances. If you elect private legal action, the Division will not participate. 

To file a complaint or for more information on FMLA, contact:

U.S. Department of Labor

Employment Standards Administration

Wage and Hour Division

Francis Perkins Building

200 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20210

1-866-4-USA-DOL

TTY: (877) 889-5629

www.dol.gov

IMMIGRATION STATUS

If you are an employee hired after November 6, 1986, your employer must be able to 

prove that you are legally authorized to work in the United States and will ask you to 

present documentation showing that you have work authorization. However, an employer 

cannot single you out to require employment verification because you are of a particular 

national origin group or you appear not to be a citizen. Neither can an employer require 

that you be a U.S. citizen, or generally give those who are U.S. citizens a preference in 

hiring or employment opportunities, unless there are legal or contractual requirements 

that mandate he or she do so. It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against legal 

aliens merely because they look like noncitizens or in fact are not citizens or because they 

have a particular type of work authorization.

Under immigration law, individuals who charge discrimination on the basis of national 

origin against employers with 4 to 14 employees or on the basis of citizenship status 

against employers with fewer employees should file a complaint within 180 days of the 

date of the alleged unfair immigration-related employment practice with the Office of 

Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices in the 

Department of Justice. 
20

For more information about immigrants’ employment rights, contact:

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Special Counsel

for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 616-5594

Employer hot line: (800) 255-8155

Employee hot line: (800) 255-7688

Fax: (202) 616-5509

www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the agency of the 

federal government with the mission of protecting you from job discrimination. If you 

think you have been discriminated against because of race, color, sex, religion, national 

origin, age, or disability:

 by an employer in being hired or tested for a job, in being promoted or fired, in 

work opportunities or conditions, in pay or benefits, or in apprenticeship or 

training programs;

 by a labor union in its apprenticeship or training programs, hiring hall 

procedures, or membership requirements; or

 by an employment agency, including state employment services, in its job 

testing, referrals, or fees;

write or phone the nearest office of EEOC listed on page 66. The office will give you 

instructions and forms for filing a charge.

Charges must be filed within 180 or 300 days of the discriminatory act. In states or 

localities without an antidiscrimination law, charges must be filed with EEOC within 180 

days of the discriminatory act. In states or localities where there is an antidiscrimination 

law and an agency authorized to grant or seek relief, charges must be filed with EEOC 

within 300 days of the discriminatory act. The local EEOC office can tell you what 

procedures and time limits apply to your charge.

Although EEOC prefers that its forms be used, it will accept a complaint filed in the form 

of a letter containing your name and address and that of the employer, union, or 

employment office you think has discriminated. You must date the letter and briefly 

explain what the discriminatory act was and when it occurred.
21

Contact one of the district offices of EEOC listed on page 66 or EEOC headquarters:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

131 M Street, NE

Washington, DC 20507

To file charges or reach a field office: (800) 669-4000

Information and publication center: (800) 669-3362

(202) 663-4900

TTY: (202) 663-4494

TTY: (800) 669-6820

www.eeoc.gov

If EEOC does not act within 180 days of the filing of your complaint, you may request a 

right-to-sue letter from EEOC and file a private lawsuit in federal district court. You have 

only 90 days to file a lawsuit after you receive a right-to-sue letter. If the discrimination 

complaint deals with equal pay, you do not have to file a charge with EEOC before filing 

a lawsuit. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for employment discrimination 

litigation involving state and local governments. The EEOC will refer requests for rightto-sue letters involving public employers to DOJ, which will issue the letter.

A presidential order (Executive Order 11,246) also forbids employment discrimination on 

the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or religion by companies that hold contracts 

or subcontracts with the federal government and by firms working on construction 

projects that receive federal funds. In addition, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as 

amended, forbids employment discrimination on the basis of disability by companies that 

hold contracts or subcontracts with the federal government. Employers holding contracts 

or subcontracts with the federal government are also barred from discriminating against 

qualified disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era. If you think an employer 

who has discriminated against you holds a contract with a federal agency, contact the 

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Department of Labor,

listed below, or one of the OFCCP regional offices listed on page 62.

U.S. Department of Labor

Employment Standards Administration

Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room C3310

Washington, DC 20210

1-866-4-USA-DOL

Fax: (877) 889-5627

www.dol.gov

Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination, unless 

an OFCCP director extends it for a good reason. If you are disabled or a Vietnam-era 

veteran, you must file within 300 days, unless filing is extended for good cause. If your 
22

complaint is an individual complaint of discrimination against an employer, it will most 

likely be referred to EEOC. If it is one of systemic discrimination or if there are several 

complaints, or if many other persons are also affected by a pattern and practice of 

discrimination, the Labor Department will generally take the lead in processing the 

complaint.

OFCCP also has an ombudsperson who receives and investigates complaints made by 

individuals alleging abuse by OFCCP staff in processing discrimination complaints or 

conducting compliance reviews. The ombudsperson can be reached by telephone on 

(303) 844-1210 or by fax at (303) 844-1213.

If you are a federal employee, or an applicant for federal employment, and think you 

have been discriminated against, contact the equal employment director of the agency 

involved within 45 days of the alleged discrimination. That person will provide 

information about filing a complaint. If the agency rules against you, you should ask the 

equal employment director what appeal rights you have and what the time limits are for 

filing an appeal.

If your complaint concerns an action that may be appealed to the Merit Systems 

Protection Board (MSPB), such as being fired, you must include the discrimination 

issues as part of your appeal to MSPB, which must be filed within 30 calendar days of the 

effective date of the action, or within 30 calendar days after the date of receipt of the 

agency’s decision whichever is later, or you must raise these issues separately in your 

agency’s EEO administrative process. The EEO administrative process differs when a 

personnel action can be appealed to MSPB and when it cannot; therefore, you must 

request your EEO counselor to provide you with information about the differences. The 

MSPB complaint forms can be obtained from your agency, the regional office of the 

Merit Systems Protection Board listed on page 75, or the Office of the Clerk of MSPB by 

writing to:

U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board

Clerk of the Board

1615 M Street, NW

Washington, DC 20419

(202) 653-7200

(800) 209-8960

TTY: (202) 653-8896

Fax: (202) 653-7130

www.mspb.gov

If you are a federal employee entitled to use a negotiated grievance procedure that covers 

the alleged discrimination, you may elect to file a grievance pursuant to the negotiated 
23

procedure in your collective bargaining agreement or to file an EEO complaint, but not 

both.

It is a prohibited personnel practice to discriminate against a federal employee or an 

applicant for federal employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, 

age, disability, marital status, or political affiliation. Though the Office of Special 

Counsel generally defers to an agency’s EEO program, you may file a discrimination 

complaint with:

U.S. Office of Special Counsel

Complaints Examining Unit

1730 M Street, NW, Suite 218

Washington, DC 20036-4505

Public Information: (202) 653-7984

(202) 254-3670

(800) 872-9855

TTY: (800) 877-8339

www.osc.gov

If you are an employee of a state or local government, an employment discrimination 

complaint on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or age may 

be filed with EEOC. EEOC may defer resolution of your complaint to the state or local 

fair employment practices agency depending on the terms of a particular work-sharing 

agreement. The Employment Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division of the 

Department of Justice sues state and local government employers who discriminate in 

employment on the grounds of race, national origin, sex, or religion. EEOC will refer 

such cases and disability cases in which it appears that discrimination has occurred to the 

Department of Justice for litigation consideration, if conciliation has failed. If you think 

you have been discriminated against by a state or local government and wish to file a 

charge, write to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (listed on page 15).

EEOC may sue the state or local government in cases involving age discrimination and 

sex-based pay discrimination.

If you think you have been discriminated against by a state employment service (although 

its actions are also covered by EEOC), unemployment benefits office, or by 

Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) job-training or public service 

employment programs, write to the appropriate regional office of the Department of 

Labor. For addresses, see page 62. If you think you have been discriminated against by 

an apprenticeship program registered with the Department of Labor or a state 

apprenticeship agency, write to:
24

U.S. Department of Labor

Employment and Training Administration

Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training

200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-4649

Washington, DC 20210

(202) 693-2796

Fax: (202) 693-3799

www.doleta.gov

If you think you have been discriminated against by a job-training center that receives 

federal assistance, write to the appropriate federal agency. For example, the Department 

of Veterans Affairs can act if it pays benefits for any veteran enrolled at the school, or 

otherwise assists the school, even if the person discriminated against is not a veteran.

If you think you have been discriminated against by a criminal justice agency that is 

receiving federal funds from the Office of Justice Programs, you may write to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Office for Civil Rights

810 7th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20531

(202) 307-0690

TTY: (202) 307-2027

Fax: (202) 616-9865

Complaints of employment discrimination on the basis of disability by law enforcement 

agencies that receive Department of Justice funds may also be sent to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Disability Rights Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 307-0663

(800) 514-0301

TTY: (800) 514-0383

Fax: (202) 307-1197

www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada

Numerous other federal agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, the Federal 

Communications Commission, the Treasury Department, the Securities and Exchange 

Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency, enforce statutes that contain 

prohibitions against discrimination by particular groups of employers. In almost all cases, 
25

EEOC also has jurisdiction. An individual’s rights and remedies may differ from agency 

to agency. It may be to your advantage to contact all involved agencies you think may 

enforce laws covering your situation so that you can make an informed decision as to the 

most appropriate agency with which to file a complaint.

EEOC is responsible for coordinating federal enforcement of laws against employment 

discrimination. In addition, its Office of Equal Employment Opportunity works with all 

federal agencies in developing more effective procedures and uniform standards for 

handling complaints and ensuring compliance with employment discrimination laws. If 

you believe a complaint filed with another agency has not been properly handled, you 

should write to:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Office of Equal Employment Opportunity

131 M Street, NE

Washington, DC 20507

(202) 663-4900

Fax: (202) 663-7003

www.eeoc.gov

Information on all EEOC-enforced laws may be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-669-

EEOC. EEOC’s toll-free TTY number is (800) 800-3302. For other information, call 

the Office of Equal Opportunity at (202) 663-4395 (voice) or (202) 663-4399 (TTY) or 

write to:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs

131 M Street, NE

Washington, DC 20507

(202) 663-4900

TTY: (202) 663-4494

Fax: (202) 663-4912

www.eeoc.gov

Federally Assisted Programs

Discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or disability in federally

assisted programs is prohibited. This prohibition applies to recipients of federal assistance 

and subrecipients. Discrimination on the basis of sex or religion is also prohibited in 

some federally assisted programs. Discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited in all 

federally-assisted education programs.
26

In addition, recipients of federal funds are required to provide linguistic accessibility to 

individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), such as translation services and 

written notice informing them of their rights.

Laws barring discrimination because of race, color, national origin, or disability in 

federally assisted programs cover benefits and services provided by the program. As a 

result, recipients of federal assistance may not discriminate to:

 deny an individual service, aid, or benefits;

 provide only inferior or discriminatory service, aid, or benefits;

 subject an individual to segregation or different treatment in relation to aid, 

service, or benefits;

 restrict or discourage individuals in their access to and usage of facilities;

 treat an individual differently in regard to eligibility for programs or services;

 use criteria that would impair accomplishment of the program’s objectives or that 

would subject individuals to discrimination; or

 deny an individual access to any program or activity that is conducted in a facility 

constructed wholly or partly with federal funds.

Laws barring discrimination in federally assisted programs usually do not cover 

employment by the program, unless: (1) a main purpose of the operation is to provide 

employment; (2) discrimination in employment could cause discrimination in benefits or 

services; or (3) an allegation of disability discrimination is made.

In the event that employment is covered, you should file such a complaint with the 

federal agency funding the program. Also, job discrimination is covered by other laws, 

and complaints should also be filed as described in the employment section of this 

publication. See page 14.

Laws barring discrimination in federally assisted programs are normally enforced by the 

agency that provides the assistance. If a recipient of federal funds is found to be 

discriminating and refuses to come into compliance with the law, the federal agency may 

terminate the funding to that recipient or refer the case to the Department of Justice for 

possible litigation.

Complaints alleging discrimination in federally assisted programs should generally be 

filed with the appropriate federal agency within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory 

act. However, some agencies allow more time to file a complaint, while others allow as 

few as 90 days. You should check with the appropriate agency as quickly as possible if 

you believe you have been discriminated against. If you do not know which federal 

agency funds the program, but you believe it probably receives federal assistance, you 
27

may file with the Coordination and Compliance Section of the Department of Justice 

(see page 35). That office will refer your complaint to the appropriate federal agency.

Information on where to file complaints about federally-assisted education, employment, 

housing, and law enforcement programs is contained in other sections of chapter 3. 

Programs in agriculture, health and welfare, recreation, transportation, environmental 

control, and other fields are covered in this section.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The Department of Agriculture handles complaints alleging discrimination in 

agricultural and rural programs. Some complaints that should be filed with the 

Department of Agriculture are:

 discrimination in Extension Programs, such as in 4-H club participation;

 discrimination in the Supplemental Nutrition (Food Stamp) Program, such as 

discrimination in distribution of food stamp benefits;

 discrimination in the Rural Rental Housing Program, such as biased eviction 

from a rural rental housing (apartment-style) complex because of lease violations; 

and

 discrimination in Rural Utility Programs, such as in providing telephone, 

electric, or waste water facilities.

All of these programs are covered by laws or regulations prohibiting discrimination based 

on race, national origin, color, age, or disability. Housing programs are also covered by 

laws or regulations that prohibit discrimination based on marital/family status and 

religion.

If you believe you have been discriminated against by one of the above programs or by 

any other program that receives assistance from the Department of Agriculture, send your 

complaint to:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Director, Office of Adjudication and Compliance

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20250-9410

(202) 260-1026

TDD: (202) 720-2600

Fax: (202) 690-9410

www.usda.gov/cr
28

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

To conserve needed energy and aid those persons least able to afford higher utility costs, 

the Department of Energy’s weatherization assistance program makes funds available to 

states, local governments, community action agencies, and, in certain instances, Native 

American tribal organizations to insulate the dwellings of low-income persons, especially 

the elderly and disabled. All low-income households are eligible to receive this 

assistance, which includes the making of furnace efficiency modifications and the 

installation of weatherization materials such as ceiling insulation, caulking, weather 

stripping, and storm windows.

If you think you have been discriminated against by a state or local government or by a 

community action agency in trying to get assistance under the weatherization program, 

write to:

U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Civil Rights

1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 5B168

Washington, DC 20585

(202) 586-2218

Fax: (202) 586-3075

www.doe.gov

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

The Environmental Protection Agency provides financial assistance to state and local 

governments, tribal governments, and local education programs (this means any 

educational program or activity, not only those conducted by a formal educational 

institution) that deal, among others, with:

 pollution control and prevention;

 the development of municipal wastewater treatment facilities;

 the removal of asbestos from schools; or

 hazardous waste site identification, health risk assessment, and cleanup.

Allegations that residents of predominantly minority and low-income communities bear a 

disproportionate share of environmentally related health risks are investigated by the 

agency’s external compliance program, which is managed in collaboration with the 

agency’s Office of Environmental Justice.
29

If you think that you have been discriminated against in programs funded by the EPA 

write to:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Civil Rights

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 1201A

Washington, DC 20460

(202) 564-7272

Fax: (202) 501-1836

www.epa.gov

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Many institutions and people receive funding from the Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS). Among them are:

 hospitals;

 nursing homes and extended care facilities;

 family health centers and clinics;

 alcohol and drug treatment centers;

 community mental health centers;

 physicians and other health professionals in private practice with patients assisted 

by Medicaid;

 state agencies responsible for administering health care;

 state and local public assistance agencies;

 day care centers;

 adoption agencies;

 foster care homes;

 senior citizen centers; and

 nutrition programs.
30

If you think you have been discriminated against by an entity that receives funds from 

HHS, send the complaint to a Regional Manager of the Office for Civil Rights listed on 

page 57 or to:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Director, Office for Civil Rights

200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 509F

Washington, DC 20201

(202) 619-0403

(800) 368-1019

TTY toll-free: (800) 537-7697

Fax: (202) 205-8935

www.hhs.gov/ocr

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

The Department of the Interior provides funding for natural resource, recreation, and 

wildlife programs. Through its National Park Service, the Department provides funds 

to:

 states for park acquisition and outdoor public recreation projects;

 states to expand the National Register of Historic Places and for the identification, 

evaluation, and protection of historic properties;

 the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its activities; and

 eligible cities and counties for the rehabilitation of recreation areas and facilities, 

demonstration of innovative approaches to park management and recreation 

opportunities, and for recreation planning.

If you think that you have, or your community has been discriminated against in the 

receipt of any of these National Park Service funds, contact:

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Office of Equal Opportunity

1201 I Street, NW

Washington, DC 20005

(202) 354-1852

Fax: (202) 321-1449

www.doi.gov
31

The Fish and Wildlife Service provides federal financial assistance for:

 projects aimed at restoring and managing the sport fish population or improving 

sport fishing; and

 state fish and wildlife agencies to restore or manage wildlife populations and for 

hunter-safety programs.

If you think you have, or your community has been discriminated against in Fish and 

Wildlife Service programs, write to:

U.S. Department of the Interior

Fish and Wildlife Programs

Federally Assisted and Conducted Programs

Webb Building

4040 North Fairfax Drive, Room 300

Arlington, VA 22203

(703) 358-2558

TTY: (703) 358-2549

Fax: (703) 358-1837

Complaints regarding all other programs funded by the Department of the Interior should 

be sent to:

U.S. Department of the Interior

Office of Civil Rights

Interior Building

1849 C Street, NW, Room MS5214

Washington, DC 20240

(202) 208-5693

TTY: (202) 208-5998

Fax: (202) 208-6112

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Programs funded by the Department of Transportation (DOT) are prohibited from 

discriminating on the bases of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, and lowincome status. If you believe that an entity which receives funds from DOT, or an entity 

involved in transportation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, is discriminating in 

providing or denying a service, write to:
32

U.S. Department of Transportation

Departmental Office of Civil Rights

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Room W35-208 

Washington, DC 20590

(202) 366-4648

TTY: (800) 676-3779

Fax: (202) 366-7717

www.dot.gov/ost/docr

You may also write to the appropriate operating administration’s Office of Civil Rights 

listed below.

For highways, curb cuts, parking for people with disabilities, write to:

Federal Highway Administration

Office of Civil Rights

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Room E81-314

Washington, DC 20590

(202) 366-0693

TTY: (202) 366-5132

Fax: (202) 366-1599

www.dot.gov

For railroads and AMTRAK, write to:

Federal Railroad Administration

Office of Civil Rights, ROA-10

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

(202) 493-6012

TTY: (202) 493-6488

Fax: (202) 493-6481

For public surface transportation such as buses, paratransit vehicles, and subways, write 

to:
33

Federal Transit Administration

Office of Civil Rights 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Stop3/E54-427

Washington, DC 20590

(202) 366-4018

TDD: (202) 366-0153

TTY: (800) 877-8339

Fax: 202-366-3475

www.fta.dot.gov/index.html

For airline disputes, write to:

Aviation Consumer Protection Division

Office of Aviation Enforcement Proceedings, C-75

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20590

(202) 366-2220

TTY: (202) 366-0511

www.airconsumer.ost.dot.gov

For businesses serving the public on airport property, write to:

Federal Aviation Administration

Assistant Administrator for Civil Rights, ACR-1

800 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 1030

Washington, DC 20591

(202) 267-3254

Fax: (202) 267-5565

www.dot.gov

For driver’s licensing and motor vehicle bureaus, write to:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Office of Civil Rights, NOA-20

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Room W43-324

Washington, DC 20590

(202) 366-6795

TTY: (800) 877-0996

Fax: (202) 366-3475

www.dot.gov

For ports, ships, and their certification and licensing, write to:
34

U.S. Coast Guard

Office of Civil Rights, G-H

2100 Second Street, SW, Room 2400

Washington, DC 20593

(202) 372-4500

www.uscg.mil

If you think you have been discriminated against by a program operated under a 

community development grant, write to the appropriate area office of the Department of 

Housing and Urban Development listed in your telephone book. You may also call one 

of the telephone numbers listed on page 10.

If you think you have been discriminated against by the National Guard, the Civilian 

Health and Medical Programs of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), or by 

another defense program, such as a program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or of 

the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency, write to:

U.S. Department of Defense

Assistant Secretary of Defense, Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity

4800 Mark Center Drive

Alexandria, VA 22311

(571) 372-0864

Fax: (571) 372-0826

www.dtic.mil

If you think you have been discriminated against by any program funded or assisted by 

the Department of Commerce, write to:

U.S. Department of Commerce

Office of Civil Rights

Herbert C. Hoover Building

14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Room 6012

Washington, DC 20230

(202) 482-5691

TTY: (202) 482-5691 

TTY: (800) 877-8339

Fax: (202) 482-5375

www.osec.doc.gov/ocr

If you think you have been discriminated against by a company that receives or dispenses 

Small Business Administration funds, write to:
35

U.S. Small Business Administration

Equal Employment Opportunity and Civil Rights Compliance

409 Third Street, SW, Suite 4600

Washington, DC 20416

(202) 205-6750

Fax: (202) 205-7580

www.sba.gov

Direct discrimination by a federal agency in awarding grants to community organizations, 

governments, or others is not necessarily barred by federal statutes. However, it is 

prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. Complaints should be filed with the agency 

responsible for the discriminatory act; if that agency does not act, you may have to file a 

lawsuit to protect your rights.

The Federal Coordination and Compliance Section (formerly known as the Coordination 

and Review Section) of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice serves as 

the coordinator of enforcement by federal agencies of all statutes that prohibit 

discrimination in programs that receive federal financial assistance. If you think you have 

been discriminated against by an agency that receives federal assistance and you don’t 

know which agency to contact, write to the Coordination and Review Section at the 

address below:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Federal Coordination and Compliance Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 307-2222

TTY: (202) 307-2678

Fax: (202) 307-0595

www.usdoj.gov/crt/cor/index.htm

Hate Crimes/Campus Anti-Semitism

Hate crimes are criminal offenses committed against persons, property, or society 

motivated by prejudice or bias against an individual’s or group’s race, religion, disability, 

sexual orientation or national origin.

For instance, serious incidents of campus anti-Semitism have occurred on campuses 

around the nation, including threats of violence that may be conveyed through swastikas 

painted on walls, destruction of property, and physical and verbal assaults. Federal law 

prohibits the use of force or threat of force to interfere with a person engaging in various 
36

federally-protected activities, including attending a public college or university, on the 

basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.

If you think you have been the victim of a hate crime, contact:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Criminal Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-3204

Fax: (202) 514-8336

You may also report such crimes to your area Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Housing

Discrimination in the sale or rental of housing on the basis of race, color, national origin, 

religion, sex, disability, or family status (having children) is illegal. On such a basis, it is 

illegal to:

 refuse to rent or sell housing;

 refuse to negotiate for housing;

 make housing unavailable;

 deny housing;

 set different terms, conditions, or privileges for the sale or rental of a dwelling, or 

provide different services or facilities in connection with the sale or rental;

 falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental;

 engage in blockbusting practices by persuading owners to sell or rent by telling 

them that minorities are moving into a neighborhood;

 deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service related to the sale or 

rental of housing, such as membership in multiple listing services or real estate 

brokers’ organizations;

 make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published any notice, 

statement, or advertisement indicating any preference, limitation, or 

discrimination with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling;

 discriminate in the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial 

services for a dwelling, including making available property insurance;
37

 discriminate in the appraising of residential property; or

 refuse to permit reasonable alterations to make a dwelling accessible for disabled 

tenants, or to provide reasonable accommodations for equal opportunity to enjoy 

the dwelling.

If you think you have been discriminated against:

 in trying to buy or rent a house or apartment,

 in getting a housing loan (see also the section on Credit),

 in seeking real estate broker services, or

if you wish to complain about advertisements that say housing is available only to 

persons of a certain race, color, national origin, sex, or religion, you may file a complaint 

with the nearest Fair Housing Enforcement Center of the Department of Housing 

and Urban Development (HUD) listed on page 59, or with:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 5204

Washington, DC 20410-2000

(202) 619-8041

Hot line: (800) 669-9777, (202) 708-0836

TTY: (800) 927-9275

Fax: (202) 708-1425

www.hud.gov

For more information about how to file a complaint or to obtain forms, call the Fair 

Housing Clearinghouse at (800) 343-3442.

You may file a lawsuit, at your expense, in federal district court or state court. You may 

bring suit even after filing a complaint, if you have not signed a conciliation agreement 

and an administrative law judge has not started a hearing. You must file suit within two 

(2) years of the alleged discriminatory action.

Finally, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, which may step in 

if a pattern or practice of discrimination appears to exist, or if the denial of rights to a 

group of persons raises an important public issue. Send the complaint to:
38

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Housing and Civil Enforcement Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-4713

Fax: (202) 514-1116

www.usdoj.gov

If you think you have been discriminated against in seeking real estate broker services, 

where such services include credit referral, you should also send a complaint to:

Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Consumer Protection

FTC Building 

600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20580

(202) 326-2222

TTY: (202) 326-2050

Fax: (202) 326-2050

www.ftc.gov

Neither HUD nor the Justice Department has authority to act in some instances of 

discrimination, such as those that occur in the sale or rental of a single-family home by a 

private individual who owns three or fewer such units and does not advertise or use a 

broker, or in the rental of a room or apartment in a dwelling containing four or fewer 

units, if the owner lives in one of them.

Law Enforcement

Federal criminal civil rights law prohibits law enforcement agents from conspiring to 

interfere with federally protected rights, depriving rights under “Color of Law,” or using

or conspiring to use force, or threat of force, to interfere with the free exercise of your 

civil rights.
39

To report criminal activities that constitute violations of civil rights, contact:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Criminal Section, PHB

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-3204

Fax: (202) 514-8336

www.usdoj.gov

If you have a complaint of police brutality or abuse of your rights by the police or other 

public officials, contact the nearest office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 

listed in the front of your telephone directory under “police,” or write to the Department 

of Justice at the address above.

An individual who believes that a law enforcement agency receiving Department of 

Justice assistance, such as a police or sheriff’s department, jail, state police, or 

corrections system, is discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, 

sex, or age may file a complaint with:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Federal Coordination and Compliance Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 307-2222

TTY: (88) 848-5306

Fax: (202) 307-0595

www.usdoj.gov/crt/cor/index.htm

or

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Office for Civil Rights

810 Seventh Street, NW, Room 8124

Washington, DC 20531

(202) 307-0690

TTY: (202) 307-2027

Fax: (202) 616-9865

www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ocr
40

Complaints of discrimination on the basis of disability by law enforcement agencies may 

also be sent to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Disability Rights Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 307-2227

(800) 514-0301

TTY: (800) 514-0383

Fax: (202) 307-1198
41

PRISONERS

The constitutional rights of inmates are very limited. Prisoners’ rights that are protected 

are:

 a right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, which is usually construed 

to mean the infliction of unnecessary and unrestricted pain; and

 a right to exercise religious beliefs. Prisoners must be allowed the opportunity to 

pray and to meet with other inmates to worship within a group. Even individuals 

in disciplinary detention are entitled to pray and read religious texts.

Also, the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution requires 

that the conditions of women’s prisons be equal to the conditions under which male 

prisoners are held, and vice versa.

If you are confined to a Federal Bureau of Prisons institution and believe you have been 

discriminated against by the institution, you should file a formal written complaint at the 

institution within 20 calendar days of the incident. Extensions of time will be granted 

where there is a valid reason for the delay. You should follow the internal grievance 

procedure unless you think that your complaint is such that you might be adversely 

affected if the nature of the complaint became known within the institution, in which case 

you may file the complaint with the appropriate Regional Director of the Bureau of 

Prisons (for addresses, see page 52). Your complaint should include an explanation of 

why you have chosen to file with the Regional Director. If the complaint alleges that your 

health or welfare is immediately threatened, the warden must respond through the 

regional office within 48 hours of receiving the complaint.

If you are confined to a non-federal institution and want to file a complaint about 

conditions or practices of the institution, follow the internal grievance procedure of the 

institution. In some prison systems, it is necessary to file an institutional grievance before 

filing suit in federal court.
42

Under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, the Attorney General is 

authorized to file suit on behalf of inmates at a given institution to redress systematic 

deprivations of inmates’ constitutional rights. To file a complaint with the Attorney 

General, write to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Special Litigation Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-6255

(877) 218-5228

Fax: (202) 514-0212

www.usdoj.gov/crt/split/index.html

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), prisoners with disabilities, 

particularly prisoners with HIV, may have a right to participate in various services, 

programs, and activities. Complaints of discrimination under the ADA should be filed 

with the Department of Justice (for address, see page 24) within 180 days of the alleged 

discriminatory act.

Public Accommodations and Facilities

Federal law prohibits privately owned facilities that offer food, lodging, gasoline or 

entertainment to the public from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, or 

national origin. If you think that you have been discriminated against in using such a 

facility, you may file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of 

Justice, or with the United States attorney in your area. You may also file suit in the U.S. 

district court.

In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of 

disability in a wide range of places of public accommodation, including facilities that 

offer lodging, food, entertainment, sales or rental services, health care and other 

professional services, or recreation. If you feel that a place of public accommodation has 

discriminated against you on the basis of your disability, you should follow the 

procedures addressed on page 4.

There are also state laws that broadly prohibit discrimination on the bases of race, color, 

religion, national origin, and disability in places of public accommodation. To determine 

whether your state has such a law, you should contact your state or local human rights 

agency, or your state attorney general’s office.
43

Public facilities such as courthouses, jails, hospitals, parks, and other facilities owned and 

operated by state and local government entities cannot discriminate in their services 

because of race, color, religion, national origin, or disability. If you think a public facility 

has discriminated against you because of race, color, religion, or national origin, you may 

file suit in the U.S. district court or file a complaint with the nearest U.S. Attorney’s 

Office (see page80).

People with disabilities cannot be discriminated against or excluded from services, 

programs, or activities offered by state or local governments. All public transportation 

systems must be accessible to people with disabilities, regardless of whether the system 

receives federal financial assistance.

State and local governments must eliminate any eligibility criteria for participation in 

programs, activities, and services that screen out or tend to screen out persons with 

disabilities, unless the government can establish that the requirements are necessary for 

the provision of the service, program, or activity. In addition, public facilities must ensure 

that individuals with disabilities are not excluded from services, programs, or activities 

because buildings are inaccessible.

State and local agencies that provide emergency telephone services must provide “direct 

access” to individuals who rely on TTY or computer modems for telephone 

communication. Companies offering telephone services to the general public must offer 

telephone relay services to individuals who use TTYs or similar devices.

Intrastate complaints should be filed with that state. Interstate complaints should be filed 

with the Federal Communications Commission.

Discrimination complaints about public facilities (other than Architectural Barriers Act 

complaints) should be sent to:

 the federal agency that provides funding to the facility subject to the complaint;

 the federal agency designated to investigate complaints; or

 the Department of Justice.

Complaints may always be filed with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of 

Justice, which will refer your complaint to the appropriate agency.
44

Complaints regarding new construction of, or alterations to buildings or facilities funded 

by the federal government and subject to the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 should be 

sent to:

Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board

Office of Compliance and Enforcement

1331 F Street, NW, Suite 1000

Washington, DC 20004-1111

(202) 272-0800

(800) 872-2253

TTY: (202) 272-0082

TTY: (800) 993-2822

Fax: (202) 272-0081

www.access-board.gov

The Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of 

Justice handles complaints of discrimination based on disability in places of public 

accommodation, including all hotels, restaurants, retail stores, theaters, health care 

facilities, convention centers, parks, and places of recreation. To file a complaint of 

discrimination based on disability, call (800) 514-0301 and send your complaint to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Disability Rights Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 307-2227

TTY: (800) 514-0383

Fax: (202) 307-1198

www.usdoj.gov

If the Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division believes that there is a pattern 

or practice of discrimination, or the complaint raises an issue of general public 

importance, it may attempt to negotiate a settlement of the matter, or bring an action in 

U.S. district court. Any such action would be taken on behalf of the United States. You 

also have the option of filing your own lawsuit in U.S. district court.

Voting

Federal laws prohibit discrimination in voting practices on the basis of race, color, 

previous condition of servitude, sex, disability, being a member of a language minority, 

or age if you are 18 years of age or older. The prohibition because of race or color is 

directed against the United States, state and local governments, and private organizations 
45

such as political parties. Your right to vote in general interest elections cannot be 

restricted by classifications on grounds other than residence, age, and citizenship, unless 

the classification serves a compelling state interest. General interest elections involve the 

voting on important governmental functions, such as imposition of property or sales 

taxes, maintenance of streets, operation of schools (including school board elections), and 

providing of sanitation, health, or welfare services.

The imposition by a state or voting district of a voting qualification, a prerequisite for 

registration or voting, or some other standard, practice, or procedure based on race, color, 

or membership in a language minority group that results in a denial of your right to vote 

or to participate in the processes leading to a nomination or election is forbidden by 

federal laws. It is also forbidden to have as a prerequisite for voting that you demonstrate 

the ability to read, write, understand, or interpret any matter, demonstrate any educational 

achievement or knowledge of any particular subject, or possess good moral character. If 

you cannot read or write, voting officials are required to permit you to receive assistance 

from a person of your choice so that you can vote.

States may require you to provide some information, including identification information 

such as race, in order to determine your eligibility to vote and prevent voter fraud. A state 

may take away your right to vote if you are a convicted felon, but only as long as the 

purpose of the rule is not to disenfranchise you as a member of a minority group.

The federal government requires that a voter registration application be provided 

simultaneously with an application for, or renewal of, a driver’s license or other personal 

identification document issued by a state motor vehicle authority. States are also required 

to provide registration materials by mail and in all public libraries, public schools, 

unemployment offices, Armed Forces recruitment offices, state offices that provide 

public assistance, and state-funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to 

those with disabilities.

A federal write-in absentee ballot is provided to overseas citizens who do not receive a 

regular ballot from a state or territory if the request was received at least 30 days before 

the election.

If you are a member of a language minority and unable to participate effectively in 

English language elections, your state or voting district must provide you with 

registration and voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, and other materials and 

information relating to the electoral process, including ballots, in English and in your 

language if your county has been determined to satisfy criteria contained in the minority 

language provisions of the Voting Rights Act.

As a safeguard against discrimination, jurisdictions covered under the special provisions 

of the Voting Rights Act must seek approval from either the Attorney General or the U.S. 
46

District Court for the District of Columbia before making changes in voting practices or 

procedures. Also, the Attorney General is authorized to request that federal observers be 

sent to such jurisdictions to monitor polling place activities on Election Day.

If you think you were discriminated against when you tried to vote or register to vote, 

immediately complain to local voting officials, and contact the nearest United States 

Attorney’s Office (see page80) or write to the Voting Section of the Civil Rights 

Division of the Department of Justice at the address below. You should also complain 

if you were discriminated against in campaigning for office, or when you took part in a 

political meeting, signed up other voters, or served as an election official or poll watcher, 

or if you think a change in local voting laws has a discriminatory purpose or effect.

The Voting Section also safeguards the right to vote of the disabled and illiterate persons, 

overseas citizens, persons who change their residence shortly before a presidential 

election, and persons 18 or older discriminated against because of their age. The U.S. 

Attorney General may bring a civil action in federal district court to enforce your right to 

vote. As a private individual, you may also bring a civil action to remedy discriminatory 

behavior.

To file a voting complaint with the Department of Justice, write to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Voting Rights Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-4609

Fax: (202) 307-3961

TTY: (202) 514-0716

www.usdoj.gov/crt/crt-home.html
47

4. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination

The Constitution protects, to some extent, people in the United States who are not 

citizens from arbitrary denial of rights.

Discrimination in employment, education, and social services are some areas of concern 

to noncitizens.

If you are discriminated against in employment based on citizenship or immigration 

status, you may file a complaint at the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration 

Related Unfair Employment Practices of the Department of Justice within 180 days of 

the discriminatory action if you are a:

 legal permanent resident who filed for citizenship within six (6) months of 

becoming eligible;

 legal temporary resident;

 refugee; or

 asylee.

You are also protected against national origin discrimination, a refusal to accept proper 

identity papers or a work authorization or both, or unlawful retaliation, as in hiring, 

recruitment, referral for a fee, or discharge.

Citizenship discrimination covers employers with four or more employees. If you are 

discriminated against based on nationality (place of birth, appearance, accent, or 

language), you should send a complaint to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Office of Special Counsel for

Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 616-5594

TTY: (800) 255-8155

Employer hot line: (800) 255-8155

Employee hot line: (800) 255-7688

Fax: (202) 616-5509

www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc
48

The Office of Special Counsel handles cases of discrimination based on citizenship by 

employers with four or more employees, and national origin discrimination committed by 

employers with four to 14 employees. Citizenship discrimination complaints may also be 

sent to a district office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission listed on 

page 66. Lack of citizenship discrimination is not always a basis for a complaint of illegal 

discrimination (see page 19), since the hiring of illegal aliens is prohibited.

Recent changes in welfare and immigration laws have shifted the administration of needbased social programs and Medicaid to the states. These changes now allow states to 

withhold assistance from persons who are not citizens, subject to certain exemptions for 

refugees or asylees who have resided in the U.S. for five (5) years or less; aliens serving 

or who have served in the military (and their spouses and dependent children); and 

permanent legal residents who have worked lawfully in the U.S. for at least 10 years. In 

addition, the new laws make permanent legal residents ineligible to receive food stamps 

or SSI assistance, unless they have lawfully worked in the U.S. for at least 10 years.

To find out what benefits you may be eligible to receive, contact your state’s Department 

of Human Services or the proper office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services listed on page 57.

Regardless of citizenship status, if you believe you or your child has been discriminated 

against by a public elementary or secondary school, you should contact the U.S. 

Department of Education listed on page 12.

Institutionalized Persons

The Department of Justice protects your rights if you are an individual confined in certain 

institutions owned or operated by or on behalf of a state or local government. These 

institutions include facilities for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, nursing 

homes for the elderly, prisons and jails, and detention halls for juveniles.

If you have a complaint, send it to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

Special Litigation Section

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-6255

(877) 218-5228

Fax: (202) 514-6273
49

If you are an individual confined to an institution owned or operated by the federal 

government and have a complaint concerning staff misconduct, contact:

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Office of Internal Affairs

320 First Street, NW, Room 600

Washington, DC 20534

(202) 307-3286

Military Personnel

If you are in the U.S. Navy and have a discrimination complaint about an aspect of 

military life, it should be handled through the chain of command.

If you are in the U.S. Army or Marine Corps, discrimination complaints are handled 

through the chain of command and inspector general channels.

If you are in the U.S. Air Force, a discrimination complaint should first be taken up with 

your supervisor or commander. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should 

contact the equal opportunity and treatment officer or the noncommissioned officer at 

your wing or base social actions office.

If you are in any branch of the armed services and are discriminated against in off-base 

housing, contact your post or base housing referral office. If the discriminatory act took 

place in the United States, you should also file a complaint with the Department of 

Housing and Urban Development (see page 36).

Native Americans

Through the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (ICRA), Congress statutorily imposed on 

tribal governments provisions similar to those found in the Bill of Rights. Commonly 

known as the Indian Bill of Rights, the ICRA provides protections similar, but not 

identical, to those provided by the U.S. Constitution.

Tribal forums are available to enforce rights created by the ICRA. Federal courts do not 

oversee tribal compliance with the ICRA, except in cases of habeas corpus.

The American Indian Religious Freedom Act declares that a lack of clear and adequate 

legal protection for the religious use of peyote by Indians might serve to stigmatize 

Indian tribes and cultures and increase the risk that they would be exposed to 

discriminatory treatment. On that basis, the act preserves Indians’ rights to the 

sacramental use of peyote.
50

Likewise, a 1994 presidential memorandum recognizes the sacred place of eagle feathers 

in Native American culture and religious practices and provides easier access to scarce 

eagle carcasses and parts.

Civil rights laws passed by Congress protect all citizens, including Native Americans and 

non-Native Americans. Therefore, any Native American can bring a discrimination 

complaint if he or she suffers discrimination by the federal, state, or local governments, 

or individuals on account of race, color, creed, religion, sex, or national origin with 

respect to housing, employment, commercial transactions, or access to public 

accommodations.

If you think you have been discriminated against because you are a Native American, you 

should file a complaint with the appropriate agency listed in chapter 3 of this booklet. In 

addition, you should write to:

U.S. Department of Justice

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-2151

Fax: (202) 514-0293

TTY: (202) 514-0216

www.usdoj.gov/crt

For further information on Department of Justice and federal government activities 

affecting Native Americans contact:

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Tribal Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 5634

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-8812

Fax: (202) 514-9078

www.usdoj.gov/otj
51

5. MORE HELP

Discrimination Law Guides

A Compilation of Civil Rights Laws may be obtained free from:

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Publications Office

1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1150

Washington, DC 20425

(202) 376-8110

(202) 376-8128

TTY Relay: 711

E-mail: publications@usccr.gov

To obtain a comprehensive guide to the legal rights of prisoners, request The Rights of 

Prisoners, an American Civil Liberties Union handbook, by writing to:

American Civil Liberties Union 

National Prisoners Oversight Project

915 15th Street, NW, 7th Floor

Washington, DC 20005

(202) 393-4930

Legal Action

It may be necessary to bring a lawsuit to enforce your rights. However, if an 

administrative procedure has been set up to deal with a particular problem, such as 

employment discrimination, courts may require you to exhaust that process before a suit 

can be filed.

For legal assistance, you may contact your local legal aid society. 
52

6. AGENCY REGIONAL, DISTRICT, OR LOCAL 

OFFICES

BUREAU OF PRISONS REGIONAL OFFICES

Address Complaints to: Regional Director

MID-ATLANTIC REGION

Areas Covered: Delaware, District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, 

Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia

302 Sentinel Drive, Suite 200

Annapolis Junction, MD 20701

(301) 317-3100

Fax: (301) 312-3115

NORTH CENTRAL REGION

Areas Covered: Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North 

Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin

Gateway Complex, Inc.

400 State Avenues, Suite 800

Kansas City, KS 66101

(913) 621-3939

Fax: (913) 551-1125

NORTHEAST REGION

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 

New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont

U.S. Customs House

Second and Chestnut Streets, 7th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19106

(215) 521-7301

Fax: (215) 521-7476

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

4211 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 300

Dallas, TX 75219

(972) 730-8600

Fax: (972) 730-8809
53

SOUTHEAST REGION

Areas Covered: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South 

Carolina, and Virgin Islands

3800 Camp Creek Parkway, SW, Building 2000 

Atlanta, GA 30331

(678) 686-1200

Fax: (678) 686-1229

WESTERN REGION

Areas Covered: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, 

Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

7338 Shoreline Driver

Stockton, CA 95219

(209) 956-9700

Fax: (925) 803-4802

COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY DISTRICT OFFICES

Address Complaints to: Compliance Manager

CENTRAL DISTRICT

Areas Covered: Illinois, Indiana, northeast and southeast Iowa, central Kentucky, 

Michigan, Minnesota, eastern Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin

One Financial Plaza

440 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2700

Chicago, IL 60605

(312) 360-8800

TTY: (312) 360-8827

NORTHEASTERN DISTRICT

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, northeast Kentucky, 

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North 

Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 

Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia

340 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10173

(212) 790-4000

TDD: (212) 790-4084
54

SOUTHERN DISTRICT

Areas Covered: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, southern Kentucky, 

Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia (southern)

500 N. Akard Street, Suite 1600

Dallas, TX 75201

(214) 720-0656

TDD: (214) 720-7086

WESTERN DISTRICT

Areas Covered: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, 

central and western Iowa, Kansas, western Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, 

New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

1225 17th Street, Suite 300

Denver, CO 80202

(720) 475-7600

TDD: (720) 475-7697

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION — OCR ENFORCEMENT

OFFICES

Address Complaints to: Office for Civil Rights

ENFORCEMENT DIVISION A 

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 

and Vermont

5 Post Office Square, 8th Floor 

Boston, MA 02109

(617) 289-0111

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (617) 289-0150

Areas Covered: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands

32 Old Slip, 26th Floor

New York, NY 10005

(646) 428-3900

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (646) 428-3843
55

Areas Covered: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky

Wanawater Building

100 Pennsylvania Square East, Suite 515

Philadelphia, PA 19107

(215) 656-8541

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (215) 656-8605

ENFORCEMENT DIVISION B

Areas Covered: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 19T10

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 974-9406

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (404) 974-9471

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and 

Texas

1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620 

Dallas, TX 75201

(214) 661-9600

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (214) 661-9587

ENFORCEMENT DIVISION C

Areas Covered: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin

Citi Group Center

500 Madison Street, Suite 1475

Chicago, IL 60661

(312) 730-1560

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (312) 730-1576

Areas Covered: Michigan and Ohio (elementary and secondary schools only)

Bank One Center

600 Superior Avenue East, Suite 750

Cleveland, OH 44114

(216) 522-4970

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (216) 522-2573
56

Areas Covered: District of Columbia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202-1475

(202) 453-6020

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (202) 453-6021

Areas Covered: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota

8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2037

Kansas City, MO 64114

(816) 268-0550

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (816) 823-1404

ENFORCEMENT DIVISION D

Areas Covered: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming

Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building

1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310

Denver, CO 80204-3582

(303) 844-5695

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (303) 844-4303

Area Covered: California

50 Beale Street, Suite 7200

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 486-5555

TDD: (877) 521-2172

Fax: (415) 486-5570

Areas Covered: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, 

American Samoa, and Guam

Jackson Federal Building

915 Second Avenue, Room 3310

Seattle, WA 98174-1099

(206) 607-1600

TDD: (206) 607-1647 

Fax: (206) 607-1601
57

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

REGIONAL OFFICES

Address Complaints to: Office for Civil Rights

REGION I

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 

and Vermont

Government Center

John F. Kennedy Federal Building, Room 1875

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-1340

TDD: (617) 565-1343

Fax: (617) 565-3809

REGION II

Areas Covered: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands

Jacob Javits Federal Building

26 Federal Plaza, Suite 3312

New York, NY 10278

(212) 264-3313

TDD: (212) 264-2355

Fax: (212) 264-3039

REGION III

Areas Covered: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, 

and West Virginia

Public Ledger Building

150 South Independence Mall West, Suite 372

Philadelphia, PA 19106

(215) 861-4441

Hotline: (800) 368-1019

TDD: (215) 861-4440

Fax: (215) 861-4431
58

REGION IV

Areas Covered: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, 

South Carolina, and Tennessee

Atlanta Federal Center

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 16T70

Atlanta, GA 3030316T70

(404) 562-7886

TDD: (404) 562-7884

Fax: (404) 562-7881

REGION V

Areas Covered: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin

233 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 240

Chicago, IL 60601

(312) 886-2359

TDD: (312) 353-5693

Fax: (312) 886-1807

REGION VI

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

1301 Young Street, Suite 1169

Dallas, TX 75202

(214) 767-4056

TDD: (214) 767-8940

Fax: (214) 767-0432

REGION VII

Areas Covered: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska

Bolling Federal Building

601 East 12th Street, Room 353

Kansas City, MO 64106

(816) 426-7277

TDD: (816) 426-7065

Fax: (816) 426-3686

REGION VIII

Areas Covered: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and 

Wyoming

999 18th Street, Suite 417

Denver, CO 80202

(303) 844-2024

TDD: (303) 844-3439

Fax: (303) 844-2025
59

REGION IX

Areas Covered: American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, and Nevada

Federal Office Building

90 7th Street, Suite 4-100

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 437-8310

TDD: (415) 437-8311

Fax: (415) 437-8329

REGION X

Areas Covered: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

Blanchard Plaza Building

2201 Sixth Avenue

Seattle, WA 98121

(206) 615-2290

TDD: (206) 615-2296

Fax: (206) 615-2297

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

REGIONAL OFFICES FOR FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL 

OPPORTUNITY 

Address Complaints to: Director

REGION I – BOSTON, MA 

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 

and Vermont

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Federal Building

10 Causeway Street, Room 321

Boston, MA 02222

(617) 994-8300

(800) 827-5005

TTY: (617) 565-5453
60

REGION II - NEW YORK, NY

Areas Covered: New York and New Jersey

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Jacob K. Javits Federal Building

26 Federal Plaza, Room 3532

New York, NY 10278-0068

(212) 542-7519

(800) 496-4294

TTY: (212) 264-0927

REGION III – PHILADELPHIA, PA

Areas Covered: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, 

and West Virginia

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The Wanamaker Building

100 Penn Square East, 12th Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19107

(215) 861-7646

(888) 799-2085

TTY: (215) 656-3450

REGION IV – ATLANTA, GA

Areas Covered: Alabama, Caribbean, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi,

North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Five Points Plaza

40 Marietta Street, 16th Floor

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 331-5140

(800) 440-8091

TTY: (404) 730-2654
61

REGION V – CHICAGO, IL

Areas Covered: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building

77 West Jackson Boulevard

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-7776 ext. 2453

(800) 765-9372

TTY: (312) 353-7143

REGION VI - FORT WORTH, TX

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

801 Cherry Street, Suite 2500

Fort Worth, TX 76102

(817) 978-5900

(800) 669-9777

TTY: (817) 978-5595

REGION VII - KANSAS CITY, KS

Areas Covered: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska

Fair Housing Enforcement Center

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Gateway Tower II

400 State Avenue, Room 200

Kansas City, KS 66101

(913) 551-6958

(800) 743-5323

TTY: (913) 551-6972

REGION VIII, DENVER, CO

Areas Covered: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and 

Wyoming

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

1670 Broadway

Denver, CO 80202

(303) 672-5437

(800) 877-7353

TTY: (303) 672-5248
62

REGION IX - SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Areas Covered: Arizona, American Samoa, California, Hawaii, and Nevada

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

600 Harrison Street, 3rd Floor

San Francisco, CA 94107

(415) 489-6524

(800) 347-3739

TTY: (415) 436-6594

REGION X - SEATTLE REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

909 First Avenue, Suite 205

Seattle, WA 98104

(206) 220-5170

(800) 877-0246

TTY: (206) 220-5185

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REGIONAL OFFICES

OFFICE OF FEDERAL CONTRACT COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS 

(OFCCP), EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION

Address Complaints concerning federal contractors to: Regional Director, 

OFCCP/ESA

MID-ATLANTIC REGION

Areas Covered: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, 

and West Virginia

Curtis Center

170 South Independence Mall West, Suite 200 East

Philadelphia, PA 19106

(215) 861-5765

Fax: (215) 861-5769
63

MIDWEST REGION

Areas Covered: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 

Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin

Kluczynski Federal Building

230 South Dearborn Street, Room 570

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 596-7010

Fax: (312) 596-7044

NORTHEAST REGION 

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 

Vermont, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands

201 Varick Street, Room 750

New York, NY 10014

(646) 264-3170

Fax: (646) 264-3009

PACIFIC REGION

Areas Covered: Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, 

Oregon, and Washington

90 7th Street, Suite 18-300

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-7800

Fax: (415) 625-7799

SOUTHEAST REGION 

Areas Covered: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, 

South Carolina, and Tennessee

Atlanta Federal Center

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 7B75

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 893-4545

Fax: (404) 893-4546

SOUTHWEST/ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North 

Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming

Federal Building

525 South Griffin Street, Room 840

Dallas, TX 75202-5007

(972) 850-2550

Fax: (972) 850-2552
64

Address Complaints concerning family and medical leave to: Regional 

Administrator, Wage and Hour Division/ESA

MIDWEST REGION

Areas Covered: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 

Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin

230 South Dearborn Street, Room 530

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 596-7180

Fax: (312) 596-7205

NORTHEAST REGION 

Areas Covered: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, 

Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virgin Islands

The Curtis Center, Suite 850

170 South Independence Mall West

Philadelphia, PA 19100

(215) 861-5800

Fax: (215) 861-5840

SOUTHEAST REGION

Areas Covered: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, 

South Carolina, and Tennessee

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 7M40

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 893-4525

Fax: (404) 893-4524

SOUTHWEST REGION

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North 

Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming

525 South Griffin Street, Room 800

Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 850-2627

Fax: (972) 850-2601
65

WESTERN REGION

Areas Covered: Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, 

Oregon, and Washington

90 7th Street, Suite 13-100

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-7700

Fax: (415) 625-7699

Address Complaints concerning state employment services, unemployment benefits 

office, and training programs to: Regional Administrator, Employment and 

Training Administration

REGION I

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 

New York Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, Vermont, and Virgin Islands

J.F.K. Federal Building, Room E-350

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 788-0170

Fax: (617) 788-0101

REGION II

Areas Covered: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, 

and West Virginia

The Curtis Center

170 South Independence Mall West, Suite 825E

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3315

(215) 861-5200

Fax: (215) 861-5260

REGION III

Areas Covered: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, 

South Carolina, and Tennessee

61 Forsyth Street, Room 6M12

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 302-5300

Fax: (404) 302-5382
66

REGION IV

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North 

Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming

525 South Griffin Street, Room 317

Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 850-4600

Fax: (972) 850-4605

REGION V

Areas Covered: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 

Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin

Kluczynski Building

230 South Dearborn Street, Room 628

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 596-5400

Fax: (312) 596-5401

REGION VI

Areas Covered: Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, 

Oregon, and Washington

90 7th Street, Suite 11-300

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-7900

Fax: (415) 625-7903 (West)

 (415) 625-7923 (East)

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION 

DISTRICT OFFICES, FIELD OFFICES, AND AREA OFFICES

Address Complaints to: District, Field, or Area Director, EEOC

ALBUQUERQUE AREA OFFICE

Area Covered: New Mexico

505 Marquette Street, NW, Suite 900

Albuquerque, NM 87102

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (505) 248-5192
67

ATLANTA DISTRICT OFFICE

Area Covered: Georgia

100 Alabama Street, SW, Suite 4R30

Atlanta, GA 30303

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (404) 562-6909

BALTIMORE FIELD OFFICE

Areas Covered: Maryland and Virginia

City Crescent Building

10 South Howard Street, 3rd Floor

Baltimore, MD 21201

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (410) 962-4270

BIRMINGHAM DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: Alabama and Mississippi

1130 22nd Street, Suite 2000

Birmingham, AL 32205-2397

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (205) 212-2105

CHARLOTTE DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia (Southern)

129 West Trade Street, Suite 400 

Charlotte, NC 28202

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (704) 954-6410

CHICAGO DISTRICT OFFICE

Area Covered: Illinois (Northern)

500 West Madison Street, Suite 2000

Chicago, IL 60661

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (312) 869-8001
68

CLEVELAND FIELD OFFICE

Area Covered: Ohio

1240 E. 9 TH Street, Suite 3001

Cleveland, OH 44199

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (216) 522-7395

DALLAS DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: Oklahoma and Texas (Northern)

207 South Houston, 3rd Floor

Dallas, TX 75202-4726

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (214) 253-2720

DENVER FIELD OFFICE 

Areas Covered: Colorado and Wyoming

303 East 17th Avenue, Suite 410

Denver, CO 80203-9634

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (303) 866-1085

DETROIT FIELD OFFICE

Area Covered: Michigan

Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building

477 Michigan Avenue, Room 865

Detroit, MI 48226

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (313) 226-4610

HOUSTON DISTRICT OFFICE

Area Covered: Texas (Central)

Total Plaza

1201 Louisiana Street, 6th Fl

Houston, TX 77002

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (713) 651-4987
69

INDIANAPOLIS DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: Indiana and Kentucky

101 West Ohio Street, Suite 1900

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (317) 226-7953

LOS ANGELES DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: California (Southern) and Nevada

Roybal Federal Building

255 East Temple, 4th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90012

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (213) 894-1118

MEMPHIS DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: Arkansas and Tennessee

1407 Union Avenue, Suite 9th Floor

Memphis, TN 38104

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (901) 544-0111

MIAMI DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: Florida, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands 

One Biscayne Tower

Two South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 2700

Miami, FL 33131

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (305) 808-1855

MILWAUKEE AREA OFFICE

Areas Covered: Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin

Henry S. Reuss Federal Plaza

310 West Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800

Milwaukee, WI 53203

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (414) 297-4133
70

NEW ORLEANS FIELD OFFICE

Area Covered: Louisiana

1555 Poydras Street, Suite 1900

New Orleans, LA 70112

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (504) 595-2884

NEW YORK DISTRICT FIELD OFFICE

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, 

New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virgin Islands

33 Whitehall Street, 5th Floor

New York, NY 10004-2112

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (212) 336-3790

PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia

801 Market Street, Suite 1300

Philadelphia, PA 19107

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (215) 440-2606

PHOENIX DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: Arizona and Utah

3300 North Central Avenue, Suite 690

Phoenix, AZ 85012

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (602) 640-5071

SAN ANTONIO FIELD OFFICE

Area Covered: Texas (Southern)

5410 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 200

San Antonio, TX 78229

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (210) 281-7690
71

SAN FRANCISCO DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: American Samoa, California (Northern), Commonwealth of the 

Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, and Wake Island

350 The Embarcadero, Suite 500

San Francisco, CA 94105

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (415) 625-5609

SEATTLE FIELD OFFICE

Areas Covered: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

909 First Avenue, Suite 400

Seattle, WA 98104-1061

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (206) 220-6911

ST. LOUIS DISTRICT OFFICE

Areas Covered: Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois (Alexander, Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, 

Greene, Jackson, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, 

St. Clair, Union, and Washington Counties)

1222 Spruce, Suite 8.100

St. Louis, MO 63103

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (314) 539-7894

WASHINGTON (DC) FIELD OFFICE

Areas Covered: District of Columbia, and Virginia (Northern)

131 M Street, NE, Suite 4NW02F

Washington, DC 20507

(800) 669-4000

TTY: (800) 669-6820

Fax: (202) 419-0740

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

REGIONAL OFFICES

Address Complaints to: Regional Director
72

ATLANTA REGION

Areas Covered: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, 

Virginia, and West Virginia

10 Tenth Street, NE, Suite 800

Atlanta, GA 30309

(678) 916-2200

(800) 765-3342 

BOSTON REGION

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 

and Vermont

15 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 100

Braintree, MA 02184

(781) 794-5500

(866) 728-9953 (toll free)

CHICAGO REGION

Areas Covered: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin

300 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1700

Chicago, IL 60606

(312) 382-7500

Fax: (312) 382-6901

DALLAS REGION

Areas Covered: Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

1601 Bryan Street, 20th Floor

Dallas, TX 75201

(800) 568-9161

KANSAS CITY REGION

Areas Covered: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and 

South Dakota

1100 Walnut Street, Suite 2100

Kansas City, MO 64106

(800) 209-7459

MEMPHIS REGION

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee

5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 1900

Memphis, TN 38137

(800) 210-6354
73

NEW YORK REGION

Areas Covered: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, 

Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands

350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1200

New York, NY 10118

(800) 334-9593

SAN FRANCISCO REGION

Areas Covered: Alaska, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, 

Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

25 Jessie Street at Ecker Square, Suite 2300

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 546-0160

(800) 756-3558

FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS BY DISTRICT

Address Complaints to: Vice President for Community Affairs

FIRST DISTRICT—BOSTON

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode 

Island, Vermont

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

600 Atlantic Avenue 

Boston, MA 02210

(617) 973-3000

SECOND DISTRICT—NEW YORK

Areas Covered: Connecticut (Fairfield County), New Jersey (Northern), and New 

York

Federal Reserve Bank of New York

33 Liberty Street

New York, NY 10045

(212) 720-5000

THIRD DISTRICT—PHILADELPHIA

Areas Covered: Delaware, New Jersey (Southern), and Pennsylvania (Eastern)

Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

10 Independence Mall

Philadelphia, PA 19106

(215) 574-6000
74

FOURTH DISTRICT—CLEVELAND

Areas Covered: Kentucky (Eastern), Ohio, Pennsylvania (Western), and West 

Virginia (Northern Panhandle)

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

PO Box 6387

Cleveland, OH 44101

(216) 579-2000

FIFTH DISTRICT—RICHMOND

Areas Covered: District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, 

Virginia, and West Virginia (except Northern Panhandle)

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

701 East Byrd Street

Richmond, VA 23219

(804) 697-8000

SIXTH DISTRICT—ATLANTA

Areas Covered: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana (Southern), Mississippi 

(Southern), and Tennessee (Eastern Two-Thirds)

1000 Peachtree Street, NE

Atlanta, GA 30309-4470

(404) 498-8500

SEVENTH DISTRICT—CHICAGO

Areas Covered: Illinois (Northern) Indiana (Northern), Iowa, Michigan, and 

Wisconsin (Southern)

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

230 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 322-5322

EIGHTH DISTRICT—ST. LOUIS

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Illinois (Southern), Indiana (Southern), Kentucky 

(Western), Mississippi (Northern), Missouri (Eastern), and Tennessee (Western 

One-Third)

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

PO Box 442

St. Louis, MO 63166

(314) 444-8444
75

NINTH DISTRICT—MINNEAPOLIS

Areas Covered: Michigan (Upper Peninsula), Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, 

South Dakota, and Wisconsin (Northern)

Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

90 Hennepin Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55401 (612) 204-5000

TENTH DISTRICT—KANSAS CITY

Areas Covered: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri (Western), Nebraska, New Mexico 

(Northern), Oklahoma, and Wyoming

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

1 Memorial Drive

Kansas City, MO 64198

(800) 333-1010

ELEVENTH DISTRICT—DALLAS

Areas Covered: Louisiana (Northern), New Mexico (Southern), and Texas

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

2200 North Pearl Street

Dallas, TX 75201

(214) 922-6000

TWELFTH DISTRICT—SAN FRANCISCO

Areas Covered: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, 

and Washington

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

P.O. Box 7702

San Francisco, CA 94120

(415) 974-2000

MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD 

REGIONAL AND FIELD OFFICES

Address Complaints to: Chief Administrative Judge

ATLANTA REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and 

Tennessee

Peachtree Summit Federal Building

401 West Peachtree Street, NW, 10th Floor

Atlanta, GA 30308-3519

(404) 730-2751

Fax: (404) 730-2767
76

CENTRAL REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Illinois (all locations north of Springfield), Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, 

Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin

Kluczynski Federal Building

230 South Dearborn Street, Suite 3100

Chicago, IL 60604-1669

(312) 353-2923

Fax: (312) 886-4231

DALLAS REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas

Earl Cabell Federal Building

1100 Commerce Street, Room 620

Dallas, TX 75242-9979

(214) 767-0555

Fax: (214) 767-0102

DENVER FIELD OFFICE

Areas Covered: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas (except Kansas City, KS), Montana, 

Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming

165 South Union Boulevard, Suite 318

Lakewood, CO 80228

(303) 969-5101

Fax: (303) 969-5109

NORTHEASTERN REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Delaware; Maryland (Baltimore City and Alleghany, Anne 

Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, 

Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, 

Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties); New Jersey (Atlantic, Burlington, 

Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, 

Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren 

Counties); Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania; Rhode Island, 

Vermont, and West Virginia

1601 Market Street, Suite 1700

Philadelphia, PA 19103

(215) 597-9960

Fax: (215) 597-3456
77

NEW YORK FIELD OFFICE

Areas Covered: New Jersey (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union Counties), New 

York, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands

Jacob K. Javits Federal Building

26 Federal Plaza, Room 3137A

New York, NY 10278-0022

(212) 264-9372

Fax: (212) 264-1417

WASHINGTON DC REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: District of Columbia, Maryland (Montgomery and Prince Georges 

Counties), North Carolina, and Virginia

1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 205

Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 756-6250

Fax: (703) 756-7112

WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and 

Washington 

201 Mission Street, Suite 2310

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 904-6772

Fax: (415) 904-0580

NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL 

OFFICES

Address Complaints to: Regional Director

REGION I—ALBANY

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New 

Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont

9 Washington Square

Washington Avenue Extension

Albany, NY 12205

(518) 862-7400

Fax: (518) 862-7420
78

REGION II—CAPITAL

Areas Covered: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, 

Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia

1775 Duke Street, Suite 4206

Alexandria, VA 22314-3437

(703) 519-4600

Fax: (703) 519-4620

REGION III—ATLANTA

Areas Covered: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, 

Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and 

Virgin Islands

7000 Central Parkway, Suite 1600

Atlanta, GA 30328

(678) 443-3000

Fax: (678) 443-3020

REGION IV—AUSTIN

Areas Covered: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, 

Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin 

4807 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 5200

Austin, TX 78759

(512) 342-5600

Fax: (512) 342-5620

REGION V—TEMPE

Areas Covered: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, 

Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

1230 W, Washington Street, Suite 301

Tempe, AZ 85281

(602) 302-6000

Fax: (602) 302-6024
79

OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION REGIONAL OFFICES

Address Complaints to: Consumer Affairs

CENTRAL REGION

Areas Covered: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, 

Ohio, and Wisconsin

One South Wacker Drive, Suite 2000

Chicago, IL 60606

(312) 917-5000

Fax: (312) 917-5001

NORTHEAST REGION

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, 

Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, 

Virgin Islands, and West Virginia

Harborside Financial Center

Plaza 5, Suite 1600

Jersey City, NJ 07311

(201) 413-1000

(800) 523-2181

Fax: (201) 413-7543

SOUTHEAST REGION

Areas Covered: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, 

Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas 

PO Box 105217

Atlanta, GA 30348-5217

(404) 974-9620

Fax: (404) 974-9802

WEST REGION

Areas Covered: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, 

Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, 

Washington, and Wyoming

P.O. Box 619027

Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX 75261

(972) 277-9500

Fax: (972) 277-9501
80

UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS’ OFFICES

Address Complaints to: United States Attorney

ALABAMA—MIDDLE DISTRICT

One Court Square, Suite 201

Montgomery, AL 36104

(334) 223-7280

Fax: (334) 223-7560

ALABAMA—NORTHERN DISTRICT

Vance Federal Building

1801 Fourth Avenue, North

Birmingham, AL 35203

(205) 244-2001

Fax: (205) 244-2171

ALABAMA—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

Riverview Plaza

63 South Royal Street, Suite 600

Mobile, AL 36602

(251) 441-5845

Fax: (251) 441-5277

ALASKA

Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse

222 West Seventh Avenue, #9, Room 253

Anchorage, AK 99513-7567

(907) 271-5071

Fax: (907) 271-3224

ARIZONA

Two Renaissance Square

40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200

Phoenix, AZ 85004-4408

(602) 514-7500

Fax: (602) 514-7693

ARKANSAS—EASTERN DISTRICT

425 West Capitol, TCBY Building, Suite 500

Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 324-5372

Fax: (501) 324-7199
81

ARKANSAS—WESTERN DISTRICT

30 South 6th Street, Room 216

Fort Smith, AR 72901

(479) 783-5125

Fax: (501) 783-2442

CALIFORNIA—CENTRAL DISTRICT

1200 U.S. Courthouse

312 North Spring Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 894-2434

Fax: (213) 894-0141

CALIFORNIA—EASTERN DISTRICT

501 I Street, Suite 10-100

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 554-2700

Fax: (916) 554-2900

CALIFORNIA—NORTHERN DISTRICT

U.S. Courthouse

450 Golden Gate Avenue, Box 36055

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 436-7200

Fax: (415) 436-7234

CALIFORNIA—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

Federal Office Building

880 Front Street, Room 6293

San Diego, CA 92101-8893

(619) 557-5610

Fax: (619) 557-5782

COLORADO

Seventeenth Street Plaza

1225 17th Street, Suite 700

Denver, CO 80202

(303) 454-0100

Fax: (303) 454-0409
82

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut Financial Center

157 Church Street, 23rd Floor

New Haven, CT 06510

(203) 821-3700

Fax: (203) 773-5376

DELAWARE

1201 Market Street, Suite 1100

Wilmington, Delaware 19899-2046

(302) 573-6277

Fax: (302) 573-6220

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Judiciary Center Building

555 Fourth Street, NW

Washington, DC 20530

(202) 514-7566

Fax: (202) 307-3569

FLORIDA—MIDDLE DISTRICT

Robert Timberlake Federal Building

400 North Tampa Street, Suite 3200

Tampa, FL 33602

(813) 274-6000

Fax: (813) 274-6246

FLORIDA—NORTHERN DISTRICT

111 North Adams Street, Suite 400

Tallahassee, FL 32301

(850) 942-8430

Fax: (850) 942-8429

FLORIDA—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

Federal Justice Building

99 Northeast Fourth Street

Miami, FL 33132

(305) 961-9000

Fax: (305) 530-7087
83

GEORGIA—MIDDLE DISTRICT

433 Cherry Street, 4th FL

Macon, GA 31201

(478) 752-3511

Fax: (478) 621-2604

GEORGIA—NORTHERN DISTRICT

600 US Courthouse

75 Spring Street, SW, Suite 600

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 581-6000

Fax: (404) 581-6181

GEORGIA—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

100 Bull Street, Suite 201

Savannah, GA 31401

(912) 652-4422

Fax: (912) 652-4388

GUAM

Sirena Plaza

108 Hernan Cortez, Suite 500

Hagatna, Guam 96910

(671) 472-7332

Fax: (671) 472-7334

HAWAII

Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Federal Building

300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 6-100

Honolulu, HI 96850

(808) 541-2850

Fax: (808) 541-2958

IDAHO

Wells Fargo Center

877 West Main Street, Suite 201

Boise, ID 83702

(208) 334-1211

Fax: (208) 334-1413
84

ILLINOIS—CENTRAL DISTRICT

600 East Monroe Street, Suite 312

Springfield, IL 62701

(217) 492-4450

Fax: (217) 492-4512

ILLINOIS—NORTHERN DISTRICT

Dirksen Federal Building

219 South Dearborn Street, 5th Floor

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-5300

Fax: (312) 353-2067

ILLINOIS—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

9 Executive Drive, Suite 300

Fairview Heights, IL 62208

(618) 628-3700

Fax: (618) 628-3730

INDIANA—NORTHERN DISTRICT

5400 Federal Plaza

Hammond, IN 46320

(219) 937-5500

Fax: (219) 852-2770

INDIANA—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

10 West Market Street, Suite 2100

Indianapolis, IN 46204

(317) 226-6333

Fax: (317) 226-6125

IOWA—NORTHERN DISTRICT

401 First Street, SE, Suite 400

Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

(319) 363-6333

Fax: (319) 363-1990

IOWA—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

U.S. Courthouse Annex

110 East Court Avenue, Suite 286

Des Moines, IA 50309

(515) 284-6257

Fax: (515) 284-6288
85

KANSAS

Epic Center

301 North Main, Suite 1200

Wichita, KS 67202-4812

(316) 269-6481

Fax: (316) 269-6484

KENTUCKY—EASTERN DISTRICT

110 West Vine Street, Room 400

Lexington, KY 40507

(859) 233-2661

Fax: (859) 233-2666

KENTUCKY—WESTERN DISTRICT

Bank of Louisville Building

510 West Broadway, 10th Floor

Louisville, KY 40202

(502) 582-5911

Fax: (502) 582-5097

LOUISIANA—EASTERN DISTRICT

501 Magazine Street

New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 680-3000

Fax: (504) 589-3594

LOUISIANA—MIDDLE DISTRICT

Russell B. Long Federal Building and Courthouse

777 Florida Street, Room 208

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

(225) 389-0443

Fax: (225) 389-0561

LOUISIANA—WESTERN DISTRICT

300 Fannin Street, Suite 3201

Shreveport, LA 71101-3068

(318) 676-3600

Fax: (318) 676-3641
86

MAINE

East Tower 

100 Middle Street, 6th Floor

Portland, ME 04101

(207) 780-3257

Fax: (207) 780-3304

MARYLAND

6625 US Courthouse

101 West Lombard Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

(410) 209-4800

Fax: (410) 962-0122

MASSACHUSETTS

U.S. Courthouse

1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200

Boston, MA 02210

(617) 748-3100

Fax: (617) 748-3974

MICHIGAN—EASTERN DISTRICT

Federal Building

211 West Fort Street, Suite 2001

Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 226-9100

Fax: (313) 226-4609

MICHIGAN—WESTERN DISTRICT

P.O. Box 208

Grand Rapids, MI 49501

(616) 456-2404

Fax: (616) 456-2408

MINNESOTA

600 U.S. Courthouse

300 South Fourth Street

Minneapolis, MN 55415

(612) 664-5600

Fax: (612) 664-5787
87

MISSISSIPPI—NORTHERN DISTRICT

900 Jefferson Avenue

Oxford, MS 38655

(662) 234-3351

Fax: (662) 234-4818

MISSISSIPPI—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

501 East Court Street, Suite 4-430

Jackson, MS 39201

(601) 965-4480

Fax: (601) 965-4409

MISSOURI—EASTERN DISTRICT

U.S. Courthouse

111 South Tenth Street, Room 20.333

St. Louis, MO 63102

(314) 539-2200

Fax: (314) 539-2309

MISSOURI—WESTERN DISTRICT

Charles E. Whitaker Courthouse

400 East Ninth Street, 5th Floor

Kansas City, MO 64106-2149

(816) 426-3122

Fax: (816) 426-4210

MONTANA

P.O. Box 1478

Billings, MT 59103

(406) 657-6101

Fax: (406) 657-6989

NEBRASKA

1620 Dodge Street, Suite 1400

Omaha, NE 68102

(402) 661-3700

Fax: (402) 661-3080

NEVADA

333 Las Vegas Boulevard, Suite 5000

Las Vegas, Nevada 89101

(702) 388-6336

Fax: (702) 388-6296
88

NEW HAMPSHIRE

55 Pleasant Street, Room 352

Concord, NH 03301-3904

(603) 225-1552

Fax: (603) 225-1470

NEW JERSEY

Peter Rodino Federal Building

970 Broad Street, Room 700

Newark, NJ 07102

(973) 645-2700

Fax: (973) 645-2702

NEW MEXICO

P.O. Box 607

Albuquerque, NM 87103

(505) 346-7274

Fax: (505) 346-7296

NEW YORK—EASTERN DISTRICT

U.S. Courthouse

271 Cadman Plaza East

Brooklyn, NY 11201

(718) 254-7000

Fax: (718) 254-6479

NEW YORK—NORTHERN DISTRICT

James Foley Building

455 Broadway, Room 218

Albany, NY 12207

(518) 431-0247

Fax: (518) 431-0249

NEW YORK—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

One St. Andrews Plaza

New York, NY 10007

(212) 637-2200

Fax: (212) 637-2685
89

NEW YORK—WESTERN DISTRICT

138 Delaware Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14202

(716) 843-5700

Fax: (716) 551-3052

NORTH CAROLINA—EASTERN DISTRICT

Federal Building

310 New Bern Avenue, Suite 800

Raleigh, NC 27601-1461

(919) 856-4530

Fax: (919) 856-4487

NORTH CAROLINA—MIDDLE DISTRICT

P.O. Box 1858

Greensboro, NC 27402

(336) 333-5351

Fax: (336) 333-5438

NORTH CAROLINA—WESTERN DISTRICT

Carillon Building

227 West Trade Street, Suite 1650

Charlotte, NC 28202

(704) 344-6222

Fax: (704) 344-6629

NORTH DAKOTA

Quentin N. Burdick U.S. Courthouse

655 First Avenue North, Suite 250

Fargo, ND 58102

(701) 297-7400

Fax: (701) 297-7405

OHIO—NORTHERN DISTRICT

801 West Superior Avenue, Suite 400

Cleveland, OH 44113

(216) 622-3600

Fax: (216) 522-3370
90

OHIO—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

Federal Building

200 West Second Street, Suite 400

Dayton, OH 45402

(937) 225-2910

Fax: (937) 225-2564

OKLAHOMA—EASTERN DISTRICT

1200 West Okmulgee Street

Muskogee, OK 74401

(918) 684-5100

Fax: (918) 684-5130

OKLAHOMA—NORTHERN DISTRICT

110 West Seventh Street, Suite 300

Tulsa, OK 74119

(918) 382-2700

Fax: (918) 560-7938

OKLAHOMA—WESTERN DISTRICT

First Oklahoma Tower

210 Park Avenue, Suite 400

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

(405) 553-8700

Fax: (405) 553-8888

OREGON

1000 Southwest Third Avenue, Suite 600

Portland, OR 97204

(503) 727-1000

Fax: (503) 727-1117

PENNSYLVANIA—EASTERN DISTRICT

Philadelphia Life Building

615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250

Philadelphia, PA 19106-4476

(215) 861-8200

Fax: (215) 861-8618
91

PENNSYLVANIA—MIDDLE DISTRICT

PO Box 309

Scranton, PA 18501

(570) 348-2800

Fax: (570) 348-2816

PENNSYLVANIA—WESTERN DISTRICT

U.S. Post Office and Courthouse Building

700 Grant Street, Suite 4000

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

(412) 644-3500

Fax: (412) 644-4549

PUERTO RICO

Torre Chardon, Suite 1201

350 Carlos Chardon Avenue

San Juan, PR 00918

(787) 766-5656

Fax: (787) 766-6219

RHODE ISLAND

Fleet Center

50 Kennedy Plaza, 8th Floor

Providence, RI 02903

(401) 709-5000

Fax: (401) 709-5001

SOUTH CAROLINA

First Union Building

1441 Main Street, Suite 500

Columbia, SC 29201

(803) 929-3000

Fax: (803) 254-2912

SOUTH DAKOTA

P.O. Box 2638

Sioux Falls, SD 57101-2638

(605) 330-4400

Fax: (605) 330-4410
92

TENNESSEE—EASTERN DISTRICT

800 Market Street, Suite 211

Knoxville, TN 37902

(865) 545-4167

Fax: (865) 545-4176

TENNESSEE—MIDDLE DISTRICT

110 Ninth Avenue South, Suite A-961

Nashville TN 37203

(615) 736-5151

Fax: (615) 736—5323

TENNESSEE—WESTERN DISTRICT

Davis Federal Building

800 Clifford Davis Federal Office Building

Memphis, TN 38103

(901) 544-4231

Fax: (901) 544-4230

TEXAS—EASTERN DISTRICT

350 Magnolia Avenue, Suite 150

Beaumont, TX 77701

(409) 839-2538

Fax: (409) 839-2550

TEXAS—NORTHERN DISTRICT

Earl Cabell Federal Building

1100 Commerce Street, 3rd Floor

Dallas, TX 75242

(214) 659-8600

Fax: (214) 767-2898

TEXAS—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

P.O. Box 61129

Houston, TX 77208

(713) 567-9000

Fax: (713) 718-3300

TEXAS—WESTERN DISTRICT

601 Northwest Loop 410, Suite 600

San Antonio, TX 78216

(210) 384-7100

Fax: (210) 384-7105
93

UTAH

185 South State Street, Suite 300

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

(801) 524-5682

Fax: (801) 524-6924

VERMONT

Federal Building

P.O. Box 570

Burlington, VT 05402

(802) 951-6725

Fax: (802) 951-6540

VIRGIN ISLANDS

Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse

5500 Veterans Drive, Room 260

St. Thomas, VI 00802-6424

(340) 774-5757

Fax: (340) 776-3474

VIRGINIA—EASTERN DISTRICT

2100 Jamieson Avenue

Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 299-3700

Fax: (703) 299-2584

VIRGINIA—WESTERN DISTRICT

310 First Street, SW, Room 901

Roanoke, VA 24011

(540) 857-2250

Fax: (540) 857-2614

WASHINGTON—EASTERN DISTRICT

Federal Courthouse

P.O. Box 1494

Spokane, WA 99210-1494

(509) 353-2767

Fax: (509) 353-2766
94

WASHINGTON—WESTERN DISTRICT

700 Stewart Street, Suite 5220

Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 553-7970

Fax: (206) 553-0882

WEST VIRGINIA—NORTHERN DISTRICT

P.O. Box 591

Wheeling, WV 26003

(304) 234-0100

Fax: (304) 234-0110

WEST VIRGINIA—SOUTHERN DISTRICT

P.O. Box 1713

Charleston, WV 25326

(304) 345-2200

Fax: (304) 347-7074

WISCONSIN—EASTERN DISTRICT

Henry S. Reuss Federal Building

517 East Wisconsin Avenue, Room 530

Milwaukee, WI 53202

(414) 297-1700

Fax: (414) 297-1738

WISCONSIN—WESTERN DISTRICT

6600 West Washington Avenue, Suite 303

Madison, WI 53703

(608) 264-5158

Fax: (608) 264-5172

WYOMING

P.O. Box 668

Cheyenne, WY 82003-0668

(307) 772-2124

Fax: (307) 772-2123
95

U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS REGIONAL OFFICES

Address Complaints to: Regional Director

CENTRAL REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, 

Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma

400 State Avenue, Suite 908

Kansas City, KS 66101

(913) 551-1400

TTY: (913) 551-1414

Fax: (913) 551-1413

EASTERN REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode 

Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia

1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1150

Washington, DC 20425

(202) 376-7533

TTY Relay: 711

Fax: (202) 376-7548

MIDWESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin

55 West Monroe Street, Suite 410

Chicago, IL 60603

(312) 353-8311

TTY: (312) 353-8362

Fax: (312) 353-8324

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, 

Utah, and Wyoming

999 18th Street, Suite 1380 South

Denver, CO 80202

(303) 866-1040

TTY: (303) 866-1049

Fax: (303) 866-1050
96

SOUTHERN REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and 

Tennessee

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 16T126

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-7000

TTY: (404) 562-7004

Fax: (404) 562-7005

WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE

Areas Covered: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, 

and Washington

300 North Los Angeles Street, Suite 2010

Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 894-3437

TTY: (213) 894-3435

Fax: (213) 894-0508

U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

Washington DC 20425

Visit us on the Web: www.usccr.gov