Anyone with limited English language skills has a right to free and timely language assistance services in MFIP.

Federal and state civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of national origin cover people with limited English language skills.

Do not require the participant to have a child, a friend or a relative interpret for them.
Providing language assistance is the responsibility of the county agency or the services provider – not the person with limited English language skills.

Follow the provisions of the local county’s or tribe’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) plan for serving people who have limited English language skills.

Counties and tribes must provide a level of assistance that ensures that all participants with limited English language skills:

· Receive adequate information.

· Are able to understand the services and available benefits.

· Receive benefits for which they are eligible.

· Are able to communicate their circumstances to the county.

Each county must develop and implement a Limited English Proficiency plan. The plan must include:

· Policies and procedures for providing language assistance (including a range of oral language assistance options, and in certain circumstances, translation of written materials).

· Procedures that arrange for providing notice to people of the rights to language assistance FREE of charge and in a timely manner during all hours of operation.