Filing a complaint: who handles what
Different agencies handle different problems, and each has a deadline. Find yours below. When in doubt, call your Protection and Advocacy agency first.
This page is general information in plain language. It is not legal advice. For help with your own situation, contact one of the free helpers listed on this page.
Which agency to contact
| Problem | Who handles it | Deadline to file | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work (employers with 15 or more workers) | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) | 180 days (300 in many states) | 1-800-669-4000 |
| Public school or college: Section 504 or ADA | U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights | 180 days | 1-800-421-3481 |
| Special education (IDEA) | Your state education agency: state complaint, mediation, or due process | 1 year (state complaint); usually 2 years (due process) | Ask your Parent Center |
| State or local government, or a business open to the public | U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division | 180 days for most complaints | ADA line: 1-800-514-0301 |
| Hospitals, clinics, and health programs | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights | 180 days | 1-800-368-1019 |
| Housing | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) | 1 year | 1-800-669-9777 |
| Social Security decisions | Social Security: ask for reconsideration | 60 days | 1-800-772-1213 |
| Medicaid services denied, cut, or stopped | Your state Medicaid agency: fair hearing | On your notice (often 90 days; ask early to keep services) | Number on your notice |
| Vocational rehabilitation (VR) | Client Assistance Program (CAP), then a VR hearing | Ask CAP right away | Through your Protection and Advocacy agency |
| Abuse, neglect, or exploitation | Adult Protective Services or Child Protective Services; police if in danger | Report now | 911 if someone is in danger |
Tips that make a complaint stronger
- Write down what happened, when, where, and who was there, as soon as you can.
- Keep emails, letters, and notices.
- Say what you want to happen to fix it.
- You can file a complaint and still try to work it out.
- It is illegal to punish you for filing.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Laws, dollar amounts, and program rules change. Check with the agency named on this page before you make a decision.