Civil Rights
Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
State agencies, local agencies, or other recipients that fail to provide free language assistance (interpretation/translation) to potentially-eligible persons, applicants, and participants, who are limited English proficient (LEP), or deny LEP persons access to federally assisted programs and activities, may be discriminating on the basis of national origin in violation of Title VI and its implementing regulations. In order to ensure compliance with Title VI and Title VI regulations, recipients are required to take reasonable steps to ensure “meaningful access” to their programs and activities.
Links
- LEP Web Site
- DOJ LEP Brochure - What Federal Agencies and Federally Assisted Programs Should Know about Providing Services to LEP Individuals (multiple languages)
- Know Your Rights Beneficiary Brochure - Posted in Multiple Languages
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 USC § 2000d to 2000d-6 at 7 CFR 15) prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance at:
- Executive Order 13166 - Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (Aug. 11, 2000)
- USDA Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding the Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Persons With Limited English Proficiency
(79 F.R. No. 299, p. 70771-70784, Nov. 28, 2014) at:- Meaningful Access for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) in the School Meal Programs: Guidance and Q&As
(MEMO CODE: SP 37-2016, May 25, 2016)- 7 CFR 272.4 (Bilingual requirements and thresholds for SNAP)
- Federal Interagency website for LEP Technical Assistance