Civil Rights FAQs

What are civil rights?
If I believe that I have been denied health or human services or treated in an unfair manner because of my race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or religion, where do I go and what do I do?
How do you file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights?
What information is needed to file a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights?
Is there a timeframe for filing a complaint with the HHS Office for Civil Rights?
Where do you file a civil rights complaint with the HHS Office of Civil Rights?
Do you have to be a minority person in order to have a civil rights complaint?
What qualifies as Federal financial assistance for purposes of civil rights complaints handled by the HHS Office for Civil Rights?
Does HHS have the authority to investigate discrimination complaints filed against programs that provide low income persons with free or reduced cost health care?
How does the Office for Civil Rights conduct a complaint investigation?
Does the HHS Office for Civil Rights represent me in my complaint?
Am I able to initiate a private court action if I believe I have been discriminated against?
How does the HHS Office for Civil Rights respond to my concern for privacy and confidentiality?
What geographic area does the HHS Office for Civil Rights cover?
What happens if the HHS Office for Civil Rights cannot help me?
Are there other Federal agencies that protect my rights besides the HHS Office for Civil Rights?
If the HHS Office for Civil Rights can't represent me, can the ACLU help?
My constitutional, human and civil rights have been violated and HHS Office of Civil Rights has informed me that it cannot help; why not?
I called the HHS Office for Civil Rights regarding being fired from my job at a local supermarket because of age discrimination and the office has informed me that it could not accept my complaint; whom should I call for assistance?
I inquired about filing a complaint against a major university and was told that I should file my complaint with the U.S. Department of Education; why?