California Department of Social Services – Discrimination Complaints

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is committed to ensuring applicants and recipients in its programs or entities are treated fairly and equally. The Civil Rights Unit (CRU) oversees compliance with civil rights laws and regulations of CDSS funded programs and entities that are administered by California county welfare departments. A primary duty of the CRU is to receive and assess discrimination and retaliation complaints. We oversee all discrimination and retaliation complaints regarding CDSS funded public assistance and social service programs administered through county welfare departments. Common covered programs include CalFresh, CalWORKs, IHSS, and CPS. CRU does not represent individuals filing complaints.