The OCR is responsible for ensuring that the civil rights of our clients are not violated by DSS.  To further that purpose, the Office of Civil Rights works to ensure that all our programs are accessible to our clients.  We monitor Limited English Proficiency and accessibility compliance and conduct reviews of our county offices and cases for adherence to civil rights laws. The Office of Civil Rights also handles any discrimination claims, based on a protected class, brought by a client. Protected classes, as defined by federal law, include:  race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, and sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

National Origin discrimination includes discriminating against participants whose primary language is not English. If you need an interpreter or critical documents translated in your language DSS will provide these services with no cost to the client.

 Disability Discrimination includes providing reasonable modifications and equally effective communication through auxiliary aids and services such as sign language interpreters. DSS will offer reasonable modifications with no cost to the client.

Non-Discrimination Statement

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For information concerning your rights against discrimination and how to file a complaint please follow the links below.

Know Your Rights brochure

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Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form

You may also file a complaint of discrimination by contacting DSS. Write to:

SCDSS Office of Civil Rights
P.O. Box 1520
Columbia, S.C. 29202-1520

Or, call (800) 311-7220 or (803) 898-8080.

Individuals with Disabilities

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance understanding the language on this website, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at 803-898-8080.

SNAP Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf (Español), from any USDA office, by calling (833) 620-1071, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to:

1. mail:
   Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
   1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
   Alexandria, VA 22314; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.