Public assistance benefits and services are provided to all, regardless of age, sex, color, race, national origin, ancestry, handicap, religious creed, sexual preference, lifestyle, union membership, political belief, or whether an individual has received benefits before.
Any DHS employee who in any way curtails, jeopardizes, or infringes on the rights, benefits, and opportunities of any applicant or recipient is subject to disciplinary action.
Discriminatory practices are specifically prohibited with respect to the use of the physical facilities, intake and application procedures, case assignments, methods of determining eligibility and payment amount, entitlement to other benefits, and the use of the payment and other benefits.
Each CAO must display the poster advising of the terms of the Civil Rights Act and of the offices to contact if an individual feels he or she has been discriminated against (see Appendix A). If an individual complains that there has been discrimination by the CAO, he or she has the right to file a discrimination complaint and to request a fair hearing. See Supplemental Handbook, Section 880.4 for Complaint Procedures.
Reissued February 21, 2014, replacing July 30, 2013. Reviewed May 1, 2017