The Kern County Department of Human Services (DHS) is committed to the assurance of nondiscriminatory administration of public assistance and social services programs. 

All public assistance and social services programs may not exclude, delay, or deny benefits or services to persons based on a protected class including race, color, national origin, or disability. 

Clickhere to view the PUB 13 Your Rights Under California Public Benefits Program pamphlet for further information regarding rights for people applying for or receiving public aid in California.

 Discrimination Complaints

You can make a discrimination complaint to the DHS Civil Rights Coordinator within 180-days from the date of the alleged discrimination.

The DHS Civil Rights Coordinator oversees compliance with Civil Rights regulations and investigates complaints of discrimination. The Civil Rights Coordinator does not make any decisions or have any impact on the status of benefits or services issuance. 

You may contact the Civil Rights Coordinator by writing or calling:

Kern County Department of Human Services

Civil Rights Coordinator

P.O. Box 511

Bakersfield, CA 93302

(661) 631-6000

You also have the right to file a discrimination complaint outside of DHS.

To file a discrimination complaint with the California Department of Social Services for all programs and services offered by DHS, click the button below.

Click here to email a complaint to the California Department of Social Services. You may also contact the California Department of Social Services by calling (866) 741-6241.

If you experienced discrimination in the Covered California program, email the Covered California Civil Rights Coordinator by clicking the button below.

You may also contact the Covered California Civil Rights Coordinator by calling (916) 228-8764 or by writing to:

Covered California Civil Rights Coordinator

P.O. Box 989725

West Sacramento, CA 95789

If you experienced discrimination in the CalFresh program, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture by clicking the button below.

Click here to email a complaint to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You may also contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture by calling (866) 632-9992.

If you experienced discrimination in the Medi-Cal or Medi-Cal Dental program, you can file a complaint with the California Department of Health Care Services by clicking the button below. 

Click here to email a complaint to the California Department of Health Care Services. You may also contact the California Department of Health Care Services by calling (916) 440-7370.

The Americans with Disabilities Act

Do you have any physical, mental, or emotional conditions that make it hard for you to apply for benefits or meet program requirements?  We can give extra help.  We call this type of help a reasonable accommodation.  The law protects people with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities as well as others with serious health problems.  Click here https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/Additional-Resources/Forms-and-Brochures/2020/M-P/PUB13.pdf for the PUB 13 Pamphlet for more information.

Customer Service Complaint

If you will like to file a customer service complaint, call (661) 631-6000 and request to speak with your workers supervisor.

To contact the DHS Appeals Division, call (661) 631-6015.

Click here to request a State Hearing with the California Department of Social Services Appeals Case Management System.

Click here to to contact the DHS Resource Family Ombudsman. 

Click here to email a customer service complaint regarding Child Welfare Services with the California Department of Social Services Office of the Foster Care Ombudsman. 

Click here to email a customer service complaint regarding Medi-Cal with the Department of Health Care Services Office of the Ombudsman.