103 NONDISCRIMINATION SR 14-33 Dated 08/14

It is the Department’s policy not to discriminate against individuals because of their race, *color, national origin, disability, age, sex, and in some cases religion and political *beliefs. The Department will not tolerate discrimination in accessing, accepting, or providing services in any Department program or activity. *

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) also prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

If Food Stamp Program (FSP) applicants or recipients wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination with USDA, complete USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. The FSP applicant or recipient may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send the completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail at US Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442, or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339, or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).

For any other information dealing with FSP issues, persons should either contact the USDA Hotline Number at (800) 221-5689, which is also in Spanish or call the State Information/Hotline Numbers (use this link for a listing of hotline numbers by state), found online at www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotlines.htm.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

You may also write Ombudsman, NH DHHS, 129 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301-3857 or call (603) 271-6941 or (800) 852-3345 ext 6941. TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964 or 711.

Each District Office must prominently display the USDA nondiscrimination poster.

References: 7 CFR 272.6, Section 11 of the Food & Nutrition Act of 2008 (PL 110-246), 7 USC 2020(c)