FATL 448 (Food Assistance: nondiscrimination)
Food Assistance Transmittal Letter No. 448
November 15, 2023
TO: All Food Assistance Manual Holders
FROM: Matt Damschroder, Director
SUBJECT: Food Assistance: nondiscrimination
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Ohio Administrative Code rule 5101:4-1-15 was amended as a result of further review by the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Bureau of Civil Rights.

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) has completed a review of the following rule. This rule has been subject to a review by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). The changes will become effective on 12/1/2023.

Chapter 1000

5101:4-1-15 "Food assistance: nondiscrimination and program complaints."

This rule describes the process and procedures for county agencies to meet Federal nondiscrimination requirements, the process when individuals allege discrimination and/or how to file program complaints. Changes to the rule include: 

  • The title of the rule was changed to nondiscrimination and program complaints to account for the rule including the process of filing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) complaints;
  • Added an introduction paragraph to the rule to explain the process when an applicant or recipient of SNAP alleges discrimination and/or has program complaints;
  • Added the amendment date to the American with Disabilities Act in paragraph (A);
  • Updated the protected classes listed in paragraph (A)(4) based on the updated United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nondiscrimination statement;
  • Paragraph (B) was updated to add that a discrimination complaint may be filed with the local county agency;
  • Paragraph (B)(1)(a) was updated with the direct link to the Program Discrimination Complaint Form AD-3027;
  • Language that was stricken from paragraph (E) was added to (B)(1)(b) to combine information about filing discrimination complaints;
  • Language from paragraph (B)(1)(b) was moved to (B)(1)(c) and updated with the current contact information to submit discrimination complaints to the USDA;
  • Paragraph (B)(2) was amended to clarify filing discrimination complaints;
  • Paragraph (B)(3) was added to indicate discrimination complaints may be filed at the local county agency;
  • Updated the protected classes listed in paragraph (C)(4) based on the updated USDA nondiscrimination statement;
  • Paragraph (E) was stricken, the language was added to paragraph (B)(1)(b);
  • Paragraph (F)(1) language added that counties are to adhere to requirements as defined in rule 5101:9-2-02 of the Administrative Code;
  • Clarification made to identify the procedures for discrimination and program complaints in paragraph (F)(2)(a);
  • Language was stricken from paragraph (F)(2)(b) that limited the source of the “And Justice for All” nondiscrimination poster form AD-475B;
  • Edits made to identify the procedures for discrimination and program complaints in paragraph (F)(2)(c); and
  • Clarification made to identify the procedures for program complaints in paragraph (F)(4) and (F)(5).