Civil Rights
The Civil Rights Section makes sure that all applicants and participants receive equal access to programs for which CDSS has civil rights oversight authority (“covered programs”). This authority generally comes from state law.
We support nondiscrimination in covered programs. Nondiscrimination means that no one is denied rights, benefits, or services based on a protected characteristic like race, sex, religion, or disability. We also ensure that county welfare departments follow state and federal nondiscrimination laws and regulations, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Our activities include:
- Helping applicants and participants file civil rights complaints
- Reviewing civil rights investigation reports that county welfare departments write
- Conducting civil rights compliance reviews of county welfare departments
- Giving training and technical assistance to county civil rights staff
- Conducting other monitoring for state and federal legal compliance
Our web content aims to inform the public about their rights and how to file a civil rights complaint. Our web content also helps county welfare departments understand and comply with civil rights laws and regulations.
Our Mission
The mission of the Civil Rights Section is to promote nondiscrimination policies and practices so that all covered programs deliver benefits and services fairly.
We support counties by providing them with resources as they assist vulnerable Californians. We help counties remove barriers to equal access and participation.
How We Assist Program Applicants and Participants
We offer information about rights to applicants and participants in covered programs.
We also help applicants and participants file civil rights complaints about covered programs, including but not limited to: CalFresh, California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI), Child Protective Services, Child Welfare Services, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)/Entrant Cash Assistance (ECA), Trafficking Crime Victims Assistance Program (TCVAP), and some housing/homelessness programs.
Your Rights
County welfare departments must follow state and federal nondiscrimination laws and regulations. Counties cannot discriminate against you. All people and organizations providing public benefits must respect your rights.
For more information on your rights, see the Your Rights Under California Public Benefits Programs webpage.
You have the right to file a complaint if you think your civil rights were violated. For more information about how to file a discrimination or retaliation complaint, visit our Discrimination and Retaliation Complaint webpage.
About Discrimination and Retaliation
What is discrimination?
Discrimination happens when someone treats you unfairly due to a protected characteristic. Your county welfare department cannot treat you differently based on a protected characteristic.
A protected characteristic is a trait that is protected by law from discrimination. A protected characteristic is also called a protected category, protected basis, or protected class. These include race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, sex, political affiliation, domestic partnership, ethnic group identification, disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, or any other applicable basis. Not all protected characteristics apply to all programs.
You cannot be treated differently because you know someone with a protected characteristic. This is called discrimination by association.
You cannot be treated differently because others believe that you have a protected characteristic, even if they are incorrect. This is called discrimination based on perception.
Examples of discrimination
An example of disability discrimination is when a county welfare department ignores a reasonable accommodation request from a person with a disability. Reasonable accommodations might include extending a deadline for a person with limited mobility, or giving extra time and help with forms to a person with a learning disability
An example of national origin discrimination (or primary language discrimination) is when a county welfare department does not provide a free interpreter to a person who does not speak English.
An example of race discrimination is when a county welfare department employee makes a negative remark about a certain racial group.
An example of gender identity discrimination is when a county welfare department mischaracterizes a person’s gender identity after they told the county how they want to be addressed.
What is Retaliation?
Retaliation is when negative actions are taken against you for participating in a legally protected activity, like making a complaint or requesting a state hearing.
An example of retaliation is when a county welfare department delays approving benefits because a person filed a complaint about their eligibility worker.