<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#">
  <head>
    <meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="description" content="USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers. If you believe you experienced discrimination when obtaining services from USDA, participating in a USDA program, or a program that receives financial assistance from USDA, you may file a complaint with USDA. OASCR, through the Center for Civil Rights Enforcement, will investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination in programs operated or assisted by USDA." />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://www.usda.gov/oascr/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer" />
<meta property="og:title" content="Filing a Program Discrimination Complaint as a USDA Customer" />
<meta property="og:description" content="USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers. If you believe you experienced discrimination when obtaining services from USDA, participating in a USDA program, or a program that receives financial assistance from USDA, you may file a complaint with USDA. OASCR, through the Center for Civil Rights Enforcement, will investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination in programs operated or assisted by USDA." />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers. If you believe you experienced discrimination when obtaining services from USDA, participating in a USDA program, or a program that receives financial assistance from USDA, you may file a complaint with USDA. OASCR, through the Center for Civil Rights Enforcement, will investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination in programs operated or assisted by USDA." />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Filing a Program Discrimination Complaint as a USDA Customer" />
<meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.usda.gov/oascr/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer" />
<meta name="msvalidate.01" content="36F1A09D7116D0E8D667792CE040A6C3" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="qUN2GJfA5CL2sBzEQEtHGaF7tScF8afQLCP2MfqO5YA" />
<meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" />
<meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" />
<meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.usda.gov/oascr/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer" />
<link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.usda.gov/node/34638" />
<script src="/sites/default/files/google_tag/primary/google_tag.script.js?sbtahf" defer></script>

    <title>Filing a Program Discrimination Complaint as a USDA Customer | USDA</title>
    <!-- Favicons
    ================================================== -->
    <!-- 128x128 -->
    <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/ico" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon.ico" />
    <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon.png" />
    <!-- 192x192, as recommended for Android
    http://updates.html5rocks.com/2014/11/Support-for-theme-color-in-Chrome-39-for-Android
    -->
    <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="192x192" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-192.png" />
    <!-- 57x57 (precomposed) for iPhone 3GS, pre-2011 iPod Touch and older Android devices -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-57.png">
    <!-- 72x72 (precomposed) for 1st generation iPad, iPad 2 and iPad mini -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="72x72" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-72.png">
    <!-- 114x114 (precomposed) for iPhone 4, 4S, 5 and post-2011 iPod Touch -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="114x114" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-114.png">
    <!-- 144x144 (precomposed) for iPad 3rd and 4th generation -->
    <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="144x144" href="/themes/usda/img/favicons/favicon-144.png">

    <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/extlink/extlink.css?sbtahf" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/modules/contrib/ckeditor_accordion/css/accordion.frontend.css?sbtahf" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/usda/css/styles.css?sbtahf" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/themes/usda/css/print.css?sbtahf" />

    
    <!-- We participate in the US government's analytics program. See the data at analytics.usa.gov. -->
    <script async type="text/javascript" src="https://dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal-Federated-Analytics-Min.js?agency=USDA&sp=lookup,locate&exts=pdf,xls,zip,jpg,gif,mp3&dclink=true&yt=true&enhlink=true" id="_fed_an_ua_tag"></script>
    <!-- Google Analytics USDA -->
    <script>
      (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
      (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
      m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
      })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');

      ga('create', 'UA-27627304-1', 'auto');
      ga('create', 'UA-96909960-1', 'auto', {'name': 'usdaTracker'}); // New tracker.
      ga("create", "UA-27627304-46", {"cookieDomain":"auto"});

      ga("require", "displayfeatures");

      ga('send', 'pageview');
      ga('usdaTracker.send', 'pageview'); // Send page view for new tracker

      ga('send', 'event', 'MP3', 'play', 'USDA Radio Stories');
      ga('send', 'event', 'WAV', 'play', 'USDA Radio Stories');

    </script>
  </head>
  <body class="path-node page-node-type-page">
        <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-N65GDDH" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
      <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas>
    
<a href="#main-content" class="usa-skipnav">
  Skip to main content
</a>
<header class="usa-header usa-header-extended" role="banner" aria-label="Page Header">
  <div class="usa-banner">
    <div class="usa-accordion">
      <header class="usa-banner-header" aria-label="Official United States Government Website Disclaimer">
        <div class="usa-grid usa-banner-inner">
        <img src="/themes/usda/img/favicons/flag-favicon-57.png" alt="U.S. flag">
        <p>An official website of the United States government</p>
        <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-banner-button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-banner">
          <span class="usa-banner-button-text">Here’s how you know</span>
        </button>
        </div>
      </header>
      <div class="usa-banner-content usa-grid usa-accordion-content" id="gov-banner" aria-hidden="true">
        <div class="usa-banner-guidance-gov usa-width-one-half">
          <img class="usa-banner-icon usa-media_block-img" src="/themes/usda/img/icon-dot-gov.svg" alt="Dot gov">
          <div class="usa-media_block-body">
            <p>
                <strong>
                    Official websites use .gov
                </strong>
                <br>
                A <strong>.gov</strong> website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            </p>
          </div>
        </div>
        <div class="usa-banner-guidance-ssl usa-width-one-half">
          <img class="usa-banner-icon usa-media_block-img" src="/themes/usda/img/icon-https.svg" alt="SSL">
          <div class="usa-media_block-body">
          <p>
              <strong>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</strong>
              <br>
              A <strong>lock</strong> ( <span class="icon-lock"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="52" height="64" viewBox="0 0 52 64" class="usa-banner__lock-image" role="img" aria-labelledby="banner-lock-title banner-lock-description"><title id="banner-lock-title">Lock</title><desc id="banner-lock-description">A locked padlock</desc><path fill="#000000" fill-rule="evenodd" d="M26 0c10.493 0 19 8.507 19 19v9h3a4 4 0 0 1 4 4v28a4 4 0 0 1-4 4H4a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V32a4 4 0 0 1 4-4h3v-9C7 8.507 15.507 0 26 0zm0 8c-5.979 0-10.843 4.77-10.996 10.712L15 19v9h22v-9c0-6.075-4.925-11-11-11z"></path></svg></span> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

            </p>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="usa-banner">
  <div class="usa-navbar">
    <button class="usa-menu-btn">Menu</button>
    <div class="usa-logo">
      <span href="/" title="Home" rel="home" class="usda-logo">
      <img src="/themes/usda/img/usda-symbol.svg" alt="USDA Logo" class="usda-logo-img" />
    </span>
      	  		<a class="usda-logo-text" href="/" title="Home" aria-label="The U.S. Department of Agriculture Home Page" rel="home">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>
  	  </div>

  </div>
</div>

  <nav class="usa-nav" aria-label="Navigation">
    <div class="usa-nav-inner">
      <button class="usa-nav-close">
        <img src="/themes/usda/img/close.svg" alt="close">
      </button>
          <nav aria-labelledby="block-usda-main-menu-menu" id="block-usda-main-menu" class="usda-block">
            
  <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-usda-main-menu-menu">Main navigation</h2>
  

        
        <ul class="usa-nav-primary usa-accordion">
          <li>
                            <a href="/" class="usa-nav-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="<front>"><span>Home</span></a>
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-2">
            <span>Topics</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-2" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/topics" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53242"><span>Topics</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/animals" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6503">Animals</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/biotechnology" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6440">Biotechnology</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/broadband" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/26733">Broadband</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/conservation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6372">Conservation</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/coronavirus" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42619">Coronavirus</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/data" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6509">Data</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/disaster-resource-center" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42098">Disaster Resource Center</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/farming" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6691">Farming</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/food-and-nutrition" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6376">Food and Nutrition</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/forestry" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6422">Forestry</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/health-and-safety" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6418">Health and Safety</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/invasive-species" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/51338">Invasive Species</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/opioids" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/21406">Opioids</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/organic" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6151">Organic</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/plants" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6505">Plants</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/recreation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6710">Recreation</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/research-and-science" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6374">Research and Science</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/rural" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6423">Rural</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/trade" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6411">Trade</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/topics/urban" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48397">Urban Agriculture</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-3">
            <span>Our Agency</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-3" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4831"><span>Our Agency</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/about-usda" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6139">About USDA</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/agencies" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6421">Agencies</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/careers" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6399">Careers</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/employee-services" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/20196">Employee Services</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/farmbill" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/33270">Farm Bill</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/future-of-work" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48224">Future of Work</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/initiatives" title="Initiatives and Highlighted Programs from across the department." data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6698">Initiatives</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/our-agency/staff-offices" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6695">Staff Offices</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-4">
            <span>Priorities</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-4" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/priorities" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49667"><span>Priorities</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/equity" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/54195">Equity at USDA</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/climate-solutions" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49668">Climate Solutions</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/nutrition-security" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49669">Food and Nutrition Security</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/markets" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/48905">More, New, and Better Market Opportunities</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
          <li>
                  <button class="usa-accordion-button usa-nav-link" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="side-nav-5">
            <span>Media</span>
          </button>
                  <div id="side-nav-5" class="usa-nav-submenu">
    <ul class="usda-nav-submenu">
          <li class="usda-nav-overview">
                                  
                          <a href="/media" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6697"><span>Media</span></a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/agency-news-releases" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6512">Agency News Releases</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/agency-reports" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/agency-reports">Agency Reports</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/blog" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/blog">Blog</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/digital" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6704">Digital</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/press-releases" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/press-releases">Press Releases</a>
        
      </li>
          <li>
                                  
                          <a href="/media/radio" title="Latest Radio news from daily newsline and weekly features" data-drupal-link-system-path="media/radio">Radio</a>
        
      </li>
        </ul>
        
        </div>
  
              </li>
        </ul>
  



  </nav>


      <form class="usa-search usa-search-small js-search-form" action="https://usdasearch.usda.gov/search" action="get">
        <div role="search">
          <input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓">
          <input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="usda">
          <label class="usa-sr-only" for="header-search">Search usda.gov</label>
                    <input id="header-search" autocomplete="off" accesskey="i" name="query" type="search">
          <button type="submit">
            <span class="usa-sr-only">Search</span>
          </button>
          <input name="commit" type="hidden" value="Search">
        </div>
      </form>
      <div class="usa-nav-secondary">
            <nav aria-labelledby="block-usda-utilitynavigation-menu" id="block-usda-utilitynavigation" class="usda-block">
            
  <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-usda-utilitynavigation-menu">Utility navigation</h2>
  

        
              <ul class="usa-unstyled-list usa-nav-secondary-links">
              <li>
        <a href="/glossary" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6282">Glossary</a>
              </li>
          <li>
        AskUSDA
              </li>
          <li>
        Recalls
              </li>
          <li>
        Contact Us
              </li>
        </ul>
  


  </nav>


      </div>
    </div>
  </nav>
</header>
<div class="usa-overlay"></div>



  <div class="usda-breadcrumb-with-sidebar">
    <div id="block-oascr-breadcrumbs" class="usda-block usda-breadcrumb">
  
    
        <nav aria-labelledby="system-breadcrumb" class="usa-grid">
    <h2 id="system-breadcrumb" class="visually-hidden">Breadcrumb</h2>
    <ol class="usda-breadcrumb-list">
          <li class="usda-breadcrumb-item">
                  Home
              </li>
        </ol>
  </nav>

  </div>


  </div>


<main id="main-content"
  class="usa-grid usa-section usa-content usa-layout-docs with-breadcrumb with-sidebar    ">

      <aside class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-layout-docs-sidenav">
        <div>
    <nav aria-labelledby="block-oascrmenu-menu" id="block-oascrmenu" class="usda-block">
            
  <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-oascrmenu-menu">OASCR Menu</h2>
  

        
            <ul class="usa-sidenav-list"/>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/home" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34265">OASCR</a>
                                  <ul class="usa-sidenav-sub_list">
                                                      <li>
          <a href="/oascr/leadership" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34503">LEADERSHIP</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/center-civil-rights-enforcement" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34643">CENTER FOR CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/center-civil-rights-operations" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34652">CENTER FOR CIVIL RIGHTS OPERATIONS</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/conflict-complaints-division" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34559">CONFLICT COMPLAINTS DIVISION</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/program-planning-and-accountability-division" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34653">PROGRAM PLANNING AND ACCOUNTABILITY DIVISION</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/and-justice-all" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34506">AND JUSTICE FOR ALL</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/civil-rights-statements" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34642">CIVIL RIGHTS POLICY STATEMENTS</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/civil-right-laws-authorities" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/39742">CIVIL RIGHT LAWS AND AUTHORITIES</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/directives-and-regulations" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34532">DIRECTIVES AND REGULATIONS</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/complaint-resolution" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34603">COMPLAINT RESOLUTION</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/reports" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34602">REPORTS</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/nofear" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/26595">NO FEAR ACT REPORT INFORMATION</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/sites/default/files/documents/oascr-speaking-request-form.docx" 0="">SPEAKING REQUEST FORM</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/contacts" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34601">CONTACTS</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/title-ix" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53441">Title IX</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/sites/default/files/documents/usda-title-vi-fact-sheet.pdf" 0="">Title VI Fact Sheet</a>
                  </li>
                                                        <li>
          <a href="/oascr/languageaccess" 0="" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/55398">Language Access</a>
                  </li>
              </ul>
  
                  </li>
              </ul>
  


  </nav>

  </div>

    </aside>
  
  <div class="usa-width-three-fourths usa-layout-docs-main_content">
    

    <div id="block-usda-page-title" class="usda-block usda-page-title-block">
  
    
      
  <h1 class="usda-page-title"><span>Filing a Program Discrimination Complaint as a USDA Customer</span>
</h1>


  </div>
<div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div>
<div id="block-usda-content" class="usda-block">
  
    
      <article>

  
    

  
  <div>
    
  <p><a id="top"></a>USDA prohibits discrimination against its customers. If you believe you experienced discrimination when obtaining services from USDA, participating in a USDA program, or a program that receives financial assistance from USDA, you may file a complaint with USDA. OASCR, through the Center for Civil Rights Enforcement, will investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination in programs operated or assisted by USDA.</p>

<p>USDA prohibits discrimination on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, sexual harassment, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, limited English proficiency, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from a public assistance program. In programs that receive Federal financial assistance from USDA, discrimination is prohibited on the bases of race, color, religious creed, sex, political beliefs, age, disability, national origin, or limited English proficiency. (Not all bases apply to all programs.) Reprisal is prohibited based on prior civil rights activity.</p>

<p>To file a program discrimination complaint, you may obtain a complaint form by sending an email to CR-Info@USDA.gov. You or your authorized representative must sign the complaint form. You are not required to use the complaint form. You may write a letter instead. If you write a letter, it must contain all of the information requested in the form and be signed by you or your authorized representative. Incomplete information will delay the processing of your complaint. Employment civil rights complaints will not be accepted through this email address.</p>

<p>Compliance with Title IX is a joint responsibility. The USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) investigate complaints, conduct compliance reviews, and provide technical assistance and guidance.</p>

<p>Title IX applies to any recipient of federal funds. Any applicant to, participant in, or employee of, a program receiving federal financial assistance from NIFA has the right to file a Title IX complaint through OASCR if they feel that they have been discriminated against or harassed based on their sex. Please see USDA DR 4330-002: Nondiscrimination in Programs and Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance from USDA as well as the Title IX Fact Sheet and Title IX Best Practices from NIFA Land Grant Universities.</p>

<p>Program information is available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language) should contact (1) the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or (2) USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or (3) contact USDA through the Federal Telecommunications Relay Service at 711.</p>

<p>Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail, fax, or email.</p>

<h4><a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf"><strong>USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form</strong> (English)</a> (PDF, 293 KB)</h4>

<h4><a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027s.pdf"><strong>USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form</strong> (Spanish)</a> (PDF, 328 KB)</h4>

<h3>Here are our addresses and fax number:</h3>

<h4>Mail</h4>

<p>U.S. Department of Agriculture<br>
Director, Center for Civil Rights Enforcement<br>
1400 Independence Avenue, SW<br>
Washington, DC 20250-9410</p>

<p> </p>

<p><strong>Fax:</strong> (202) 690-7442</p>

<p><strong>email:</strong> program.intake@usda.gov</p>

<h3>Click on the topics below for detailed information.</h3>

<h4>How do I request a waiver of the 180-day filing deadline?</h4>

<h4>Whom may I contact for further information on filing a program discrimination complaint?</h4>

<h4>How is my discrimination complaint processed?</h4>

<h5>How do I request a waiver of the 180-day filing deadline?</h5>

<p><a id="waiver"></a> A waiver may be granted for the following reasons: (1) the discriminatory act could not reasonably be expected to be known within the 180-day period; (2) illness or incapacitation; (3) the same complaint was filed with another Federal, state, or local agency; and (4) any other basis determined by the Center for Civil Rights Enforcement.</p>

<h5><strong>Whom may I contact for further information on filing a program discrimination complaint?</strong></h5>

<p>You may contact the Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Information Research Service, on (866) 632-9992 (toll free) or send an email to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at CR-INFO@usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities, may contact us through the Telecommunication Relay Service at 711 or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).</p>

<h5>How is my discrimination complaint processed?</h5>

<p><a id="process"></a> Filing a USDA program discrimination complaint does not waive or toll requirements for filing a lawsuit. Complainants are advised that they may wish to consult a lawyer at their earliest convenience to ensure that their rights are protected and preserved.</p>

<h5>Intake Stage</h5>

<p>The first stage of the program discrimination complaint process is the intake stage. At this stage, the Center for Civil Rights Enforcement (CCRE) determines whether your complaint meets the legal requirements to be accepted for processing. Prior to making this determination, CCRE may request clarification or additional information about the complaint from you. For more information about what must be included in your complaint, read How To File A Program Discrimination Complaint.</p>

<p>If your complaint is accepted for processing, CCRE will send you a letter notifying you of the acceptance and inform you of the basis and issues that will be investigated.</p>

<p>If your complaint is not accepted for processing, CCRE will send you a letter notifying you why your complaint was not accepted, and your complaint will be closed. If appropriate, your closed complaint may be referred to an USDA agency that may assist in resolving your issues.</p>

<p>Return to Top</p>

<h5>Investigation Stage</h5>

<p>After complaint is accepted, an investigator will be assigned. The investigator will contact you, any agency employees involved, and any other appropriate individual, to obtain sworn statements and documents relating to the issues in the complaint. After the complaint is investigated, a Report of Investigation (ROI) is prepared and the complaint is sent to the next stage, adjudication.</p>

<h5>Adjudication Stage</h5>

<p>During the adjudication stage, the Center for Civil Rights Enforcement will review the Report of Investigation and perform a legal and factual analysis of the complaint to determine whether discrimination occurred. Based on this analysis, the Office of Adjudication will issue a Final Agency Decision. The Final Agency Decision will contain an analysis of the claims in the complaint and the Center for Civil Rights Enforcement conclusions and findings, including whether discrimination was found.</p>

<p>If discrimination is found, the Office of Adjudication may attempt to settle the complaint or take other corrective action, as appropriate. If no discrimination is found, the complaint is closed. A copy of the Final Agency Decision will be mailed to the complainant after it is signed by the Director of the Center for Civil Rights Enforcement.</p>

<p>If your complaint alleges discrimination based on disability, you may appeal the Final Agency Decision to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights within 90 days of receipt of the Final Agency Decision. This opportunity for appeal applies only to complaints alleging discrimination based on disability.</p>

<p>Return to Top</p>

<h5>NOTE</h5>

<p>In complaints alleging discrimination in certain USDA programs or those falling under the authority of other government agencies or departments, the complaint will be processed in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding. In those instances, the procedure used to process your complaint may be different from the procedure described above. The procedure used will be determined by the Memorandum of Understanding.</p>

  </div>

</article>

  </div>

  </div>

</main>


  <footer class="usa-footer usa-footer-slim">
    <div class="usa-grid usa-footer-return-to-top">
      Return to top
    </div>
      <div>
    <div class="usa-footer-primary-section">
  <div class="usa-grid-full">
    <nav class="usa-footer-nav" aria-labelledby="block-mainnavigation-2-menu" id="block-mainnavigation-2" class="usda-block">
                                
      <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-mainnavigation-2-menu">Main navigation - Footer</h2>
      

                    
        <ul class="usa-unstyled-list">
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="<front>"><span>Home</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/topics" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53242"><span>Topics</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/our-agency" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4831"><span>Our Agency</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/priorities" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49667"><span>Priorities</span></a>
              </li>
          <li class="usa-width-one-fourth usa-footer-primary-content">
                            <a href="/media" class="usa-footer-primary-link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6697"><span>Media</span></a>
              </li>
        </ul>
  



          </nav>
  </div>
</div>
<div class="usa-footer-secondary_section">
  <div class="usa-grid-full">
    <nav class="usa-footer-nav usa-width-two-thirds" aria-labelledby="block-usda-footernavigation-menu" id="block-usda-footernavigation" class="usda-block">
                                
      <h2 class="usa-sr-only" id="block-usda-footernavigation-menu">Footer navigation</h2>
      

                    
        <ul class="usa-unstyled-list usda-footer-navigation">
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        AskUSDA
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Pandemic Assistance
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Contact Us
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/sitemap" data-drupal-link-system-path="sitemap">Site Map</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/policies-and-links" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6232">Policies and Links</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/our-agency/about-usda/performance" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6373">Our Performance</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Careers
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Report Fraud on USDA Contracts
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Inspector General
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/plain-writing" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6095">Plain Language Writing in USDA</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/open" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6370">Open</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/ogc/office-information-affairs/foia-division" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45641">FOIA</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/accessibility-statement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6539">Accessibility Statement</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/privacy-policy" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6516">Privacy Policy</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/non-discrimination-statement" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6409">Non-Discrimination Statement</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/oascr/civil-rights-statements" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/34642">Anti-Harassment Policy</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Information Quality
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        USA.gov
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        WhiteHouse.gov
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/federal-web-site-inventory" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/6118">eGov</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Feedback
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/nofear" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/26595">No FEAR Act Data</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Office of Special Counsel
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        Whistleblower Protection Coordinator
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/vulnerability-disclosure-policy" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/42655">Vulnerability Disclosure Policy</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/ocfo/plans-reports/agency-financial-reports" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/49604">Agency Financial Reports</a>
              </li>
          <li class="usda-footer-navigation-link">
        <a href="/partner-portal" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/53405">USDA CARES Partner Portal</a>
              </li>
        </ul>
  


          </nav>
    <div id="block-constantcontactsignuplist" class="usda-block">
  
    
      
            <div><div class="usa-sign_up-block usa-width-one-third">

        <h3 class="usa-sign_up-header">Sign Up for Updates</h3>

  <a style="color:white;font-weight:bold;" class="usa-button usa-button" href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001Sk_8Aa13394xonLLUknSR_CtAy6sVkj7-WTntErj4YHitEGv_xZXTgEreyr8MdkMKJ6cnoDLHPraoNtEuHeVpYuA7EHtjdGdcHtASf8lweU%3D" target=

        "_blank">Subscribe</a>

      </div>

    </div>

  </div></div>
      
  </div>

  </div>

    <div class="usa-grid usda-footer-branding">
        <div>
    <div class="usa-logo">
      <span href="/" title="Home" rel="home" class="usda-logo">
      <img src="/themes/usda/img/usda-symbol.svg" alt="USDA Logo" class="usda-logo-img" />
    </span>
      	  		<a class="usda-logo-text" href="/" title="Home" aria-label="The U.S. Department of Agriculture Home Page" rel="home">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>
  	  </div>

  </div>

      <div class="footer-social">
        <div class="footer-social-set">
          <a class="usa-link-twitter" href="https://www.twitter.com/usda/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Twitter</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/usda/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Facebook</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/usda" target="_top"><span>USDA on LinkedIn</span></a>
          <a alt="USDA Constant Contact" class="usa-link-constant-contact" href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001Sk_8Aa13394xonLLUknSR_CtAy6sVkj7-WTntErj4YHitEGv_xZXTgEreyr8MdkMKJ6cnoDLHPraoNtEuHeVpYuA7EHtjdGdcHtASf8lweU%3D" target="_top"><span>USDA Constant Contact</span></a>
        </div>
        <div class="footer-social-set">
          <a class="usa-link-instagram" href="https://www.instagram.com/usdagov/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Instagram</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-flickr" href="https://flickr.com/usdagov" rel="publisher" target="_top"><span>USDA on Flickr</span></a>
          <a class="usa-link-youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/usda/" target="_top"><span>USDA on Youtube</span></a>
        </div>
        <div class="footer-social">
          <div class="footer-social-set">
            <a class="usa-link-rss" href="/rss-feeds" target="_top"><span>USDA RSS</span></a>
          </div>
        </div>

      </div>
    </div>
  </footer>

  </div>

    
    <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/34638","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"data":{"extlink":{"extTarget":false,"extTargetNoOverride":false,"extNofollow":false,"extNoreferrer":false,"extFollowNoOverride":false,"extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":false,"extSubdomains":true,"extExclude":"^https?:\/\/[^\/]+\\.(gov|us|mil)\/","extInclude":"","extCssExclude":"","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":true,"extAlertText":"You are now leaving the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website and entering an external link or a third-party site.\n\nThe USDA website provides links to other websites to provide additional information that may be useful or interesting, and is being provided in a manner consistent with the intended purpose of the content you are viewing on the website. USDA is providing these links for your reference. Once you access another site through a link that we provide, you are subject to the copyright and licensing restrictions of the new site.\n\nIt is the sole responsibility of you, the user of this site, to carefully examine the content of the site and all linked pages for privacy, copyright and licensing restrictions and to secure all necessary permissions if applicable.","mailtoClass":"0","mailtoLabel":"(link sends email)","extUseFontAwesome":false,"extIconPlacement":"append","extFaLinkClasses":"fa fa-external-link","extFaMailtoClasses":"fa fa-envelope-o","whitelistedDomains":null}},"ckeditorAccordion":{"accordionStyle":{"collapseAll":1,"keepRowsOpen":0,"animateAccordionOpenAndClose":1,"openTabsWithHash":1}},"ajax":[],"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"f8aee0238b8c9d927e579055ca13b7d6b049c5bab4784fb84ace390e08c3ba67"}}</script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/jquery/jquery.min.js?v=3.7.1"></script>
<script src="/core/assets/vendor/once/once.min.js?v=1.0.1"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupalSettingsLoader.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupal.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/core/misc/drupal.init.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/uswds.min.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/matchHeight.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/usda.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/themes/usda/js/grid.js?v=1.0.4"></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/extlink/extlink.js?v=10.2.4"></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/ckeditor_accordion/js/accordion.frontend.min.js?sbtahf"></script>

    <script type="text/javascript">
    /*<![CDATA[*/
    (function() {
    var sz = document.createElement('script'); sz.type = 'text/javascript'; sz.async = true;
    sz.src = '//us1.siteimprove.com/js/siteanalyze_63343.js';
    var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(sz, s);
    })();
    /*]]>*/
    </script>
  </body>
</html>