If you believe that any Social Security employee or representative took an action that discriminated against you on the basis of race, religion, disability, language proficiency, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity, you may file a complaint. You may also file a complaint of program discrimination if you believe that Social Security policies, practices, or activities are discriminatory.
In addition, you may file a complaint if you think a Social Security employee intimidated, threatened, harassed, coerced, or retaliated against you for filing a previous complaint alleging discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation.
A complaint of program discrimination must be filed within 180 days of the action you believe was based on discrimination. If the action took place more than 180 days ago, you must explain why you waited to file the complaint. Social Security will waive the 180-day requirement in cases where we believe there was good cause for the late filing. You may file your complaint by completing Form SSA-437-BK, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-437.pdf. If you write a letter instead of completing the form, the letter must include all of the information requested by the form, and you or your authorized representative must sign it. Incomplete information, or an unsigned form, will delay the processing of your complaint. You’ll need to provide the following information:
• Your name, address, and telephone number;
• Your Social Security number;
• A description of the action(s) Social Security or our employee took that you believe was based on discrimination, or a description of the policy, procedure, or practice that you believe is discriminatory;
• The names of any people involved in the action(s) and a description of what they did; • When and where the discriminatory action(s) took place;
• The names and contact information of any people who witnessed the action(s);
• If you reported the discriminatory action(s);
• What action(s) you believe Social Security should take to resolve your complaint; and
• If you filed a complaint about this matter with any other agency or organization. If yes, identify the name and address of the agency or organization and the date when the complaint was filed.
If you need assistance filing your complaint call us!
