In USDA programs, discrimination is prohibited on the bases of race, color,
religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation,
familial status, disability, limited English proficiency, or because all
or a part of an individual's income is derived from a public 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. The OASCR, through the Office of
Adjudication, investigates and resolves complaints of discrimination in
programs operated or assisted by USDA.
To file a program discrimination complaint, please complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form. You or your authorized representative
must sign the complaint form. You are not required to use the complaint
form. You may also file a program discrimination complaint by writing
a letter to the Office of Adjudication at the address that follows:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Director, Office of Adjudication
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250-9410
For additional information about what to include in your letter, see How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint, on our Web site. For information on the discrimination complaint process, contact the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Information Research Service, on (202) 260-1026 or (866) 632-9992 (toll free) or send an email to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at CR-INFO@ascr.usda.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities, may contact us through the Federal Relay Service on (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).
What do I need to include in my complaint letter?
Include the following in your complaint letter:
How do I request a waiver of the
180-day filing deadline?
A waiver may be granted for the following reasons: (1) the discriminatory
act could not reasonably be expected to be known within the 180-day period;
(2) illness or incapacitation; (3) the same complaint was filed with another
Federal, state, or local agency; and (4) any other basis determined by
the Director of the Office of Adjudication.
Who may I contact for further information on filing a program
discrimination complaint?
You may contact the Office of Adjudication Customer Service Unit for further
information at
(866) 632-9992 (toll free),
(202) 260-1026, or (202) 401-0216 (TDD).