Program Complaint

If you believe you have experienced discrimination when obtaining a service or participating in a program/program funded by the USDA, you may file a complaint with OASCR. USDA prohibits discrimination on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, sexual harassment, age, national origin, marital status, familial status, disability, limited English proficiency, or because of use/partial use of public assistance programs. In programs that receive federal financial aid 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 programs.) Reprisals are prohibited based on prior civil rights activity.

You have multiple options to file a complaint of program discrimination:

• Online via the Program Discrimination Complaint Portal:
  Login to the Portal
  The link will direct you to eAuthentication which is connected to the USDA database. Once there, click "Customer Login". For a new account, click "Need an account?". To log into your existing account, select one of the options on the screen.
• By Form: Complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (English) or USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (Spanish)
• By Email or Letter:
  You may email the required details of the complaint to program.intake@usda.gov. You may write a letter containing all required details below and have it signed by you or your authorized representative.

What do I need to include in my letter/email?

• Your name, address and telephone number.
• The name, address, and phone number of your attorney or authorized representative
• In the main body: The reason you believe was the motivating factor for the discrimination.
• You must provide the date(s) of the incident.
  • Incidents older than 180 days cannot be accepted unless you request a waiver.
• Include the name of the person or entity you believe discriminated against you and the agency involved.
• Clearly describe what happened, why you believe it happened, and how you were discriminated against.
  • If you were denied a benefit or service, include the denial letter, and attach any documents related to the incident.

How do I request a waiver of the 180-day filing deadline?

Email the account given above your reason to waive the deadline. Deadlines may be waived if:

1. The discriminatory act could not be 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.
4. Any other basis approved by the Director of the Center for Civil Rights Enforcement.

Who may I contact for further information on filing a Program Discrimination Complaint?

The Center for Civil Rights Enforcement Customer Service Unit at:

• Toll-free: (866) 632-9992

Additional Resources:

• This information is available in languages other than English. Any persons that need language accommodations (braille, large print, audiotape, and American Sign Language). Please contact:
  • The responsible State or local agency that administers the program
  • USDA's TARGET Center at (202)-720-2600 (voice and TTY)
  • Contact USDA through the Federal Telecommunications Relay Service at 711.