Client Rights and Grievance

Community Action of South Mississippi is committed to treating every client with dignity and fairness. If you are dissatisfied with an action taken by this agency, you have the right to file an appeal and request a fair hearing.

This page explains your rights, the appeal process, and how to request a fair hearing at the state and federal levels. You can file your appeal using the form on this page or by submitting a written request.

If your concern involves disability discrimination or an accessibility barrier, please use our ADA Complaint Form or review the ADA Complaint Procedure instead.

Your Right to Appeal

Under various titles of Federal Law, and pursuant to terms and contracts with Program Services, this agency is required to provide a hearing to any applicant or recipient of services who feels aggrieved by any agency action resulting in denial, suspension, discrimination, exclusion, or termination of services.

Please consider this page as your personal and formal notice of your right to a fair hearing should you feel aggrieved by any covered action by this agency or its staff.

If you are dissatisfied with an action taken by the agency, you may request a fair hearing of your complaint. You must first seek resolution through the supervisory chain of command within the agency. Meet with the next level supervisor regarding your concern. If your complaint is not resolved at that level, the Executive Director is the next step before your appeal is submitted to the Human Rights Committee of the Board of Directors for review.

Your request must be filed in writing within 30 days from the date of the action you wish to appeal. You may appeal by letter or by completing the appeal form on this page.

Your Appeal Must Include

Your full name, complete address, telephone number(s), and email address
A detailed statement of the nature of your complaint, including the date and location of the agency action and the program or service involved
Name(s) of any staff you believe treated you inappropriately or did not follow policy in the delivery of services
Your signature and/or that of your authorized representative
Whether your complaint pertains to a service issue or involves alleged discrimination

Where to Send Your Appeal

Community Action of South Mississippi

5343 Jefferson Ave. / P.O. Box 8723
Moss Point, MS 39563

Please mark your envelope "Confidential" if sending by mail. USPS postmark or agency date of receipt stamp serves to verify timelines.

File an Appeal Online

All fields marked with * are required.

Your appeal must be filed within 30 days from the date of the action you wish to appeal.

Your Information

Last Name *

First Name *

Middle Name/Initial

Address *

Daytime Phone *

Evening Phone

Agency Action Details

Date of Agency Action *

Location of Agency Action *

Program or Service Involved *

Name of Staff Involved

Your Complaint

Detailed Statement of Your Complaint *

Include names and contact information for any witnesses.

Does your complaint involve alleged discrimination? *

Yes No

By submitting this form, I certify that the information provided is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that this appeal must be filed within 30 days of the agency action.

Submit Appeal

Fair Hearing Process

If your appeal is denied at the agency level and you have met all the criteria for a complete application but still believe you are eligible for services, you may request a Fair Hearing through the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

You must exhaust the agency level appeal process before requesting a Fair Hearing.

Agency Level Appeal

Filed within 30 days of denial or adverse action

Submit your appeal using the form on this page or in writing. Your request must be submitted through the online portal at virtualroma.mdhs.ms.gov (opens in new tab) and include:

Name of Community Service Agency
Full name and address
Date of denial or adverse action notice
Stated reason for denial or action
Your reason for requesting the appeal

After your appeal is submitted:

15 days for the Executive Director and Board Chair to contact you and schedule an appeal hearing
15 calendar days to make a final determination after the hearing

If not resolved at agency level

State Level Fair Hearing (MDHS)

Filed within 5 business days of agency denial

If you were denied at the agency level appeal and have met all criteria for a complete application, you may request a Fair Hearing with the Mississippi Department of Human Services for any of the following reasons:

Disagreement with the appeal denial
Incorrect information or assessment
Procedural error
Discrimination
Failure to make a timely decision
Changes in circumstances

How to submit a Fair Hearing request:

By Phone or Form

Call (601) 359-4921

Or download the MDHS Appeal Request Form (PDF, opens in new tab)

By Email, Fax, or Mail

admin.hearings@mdhs.ms.gov

Fax: (601) 359-5047

MDHS Office of the Inspector General
Administrative Hearings
P.O. Box 352
Jackson, MS 39201

After your request is submitted:

You will receive notice of the date and time of your fair hearing. During the hearing, you will be given the opportunity to fully explain your position. After hearing both sides, the hearing officer will make a determination.

If state decision is unsatisfactory

Federal Level Hearing

Filed within 5 business days of state decision

If you find the state level decision unsatisfactory, you may request a hearing at the federal level. The federal office has 15 business days to research the matter, conduct a hearing, and render a decision.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office of Community Services
370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., 5th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20449

Important Information

If at any point during the appeals process the initial denial or adverse action is reversed, appropriate corrective actions will be taken by the Community Service Agency in a timely manner. This includes processing payments or reinstating services.

If you have questions about this process, contact CASOMS at (228) 769-3292 or the Mississippi Department of Human Services at admin.hearings@mdhs.ms.gov.

Grounds for Automatic Denial

The following reasons are not eligible for a Fair Hearing at the state level. If you submit a request based on any of these reasons, it will be automatically denied.

These situations are handled through the agency level appeal process only.

Lack of available funding in your county

Incorrect bill submitted

Information provided is insufficient to determine eligibility

Requested additional information not returned within 10 calendar days

Non-compliance with CSBG Case Management Plan

Threatening behavior toward staff

Need Help with Your Rights?

If you have questions about the appeal or fair hearing process, our team can help you understand your options.

(228) 769-3292