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(10.10) What if I get a Notice of Action that is not in my language?

(10.10) What if I get a Notice of Action that is not in my language?

Ask for an appeal immediately to protect your rights. If you did not appeal in time because you did not understand the notice, call your service coordinator immediately. Ask for written notice in a language you can understand. The deadlines do not start until you get notice in a language you understand.[1]Disability Rights California does not know of any court case that discusses the effect of an inadequate notice on when you can appeal under the Lanterman Act. But this issue has been addressed in … Continue reading

If you get notice that uses a language you do not understand, you can file a complaint, called a Section 4731 Complaint.

See section on 4731 Complaints and Supplement O for a 4731 Complaint.

References
1 Disability Rights California does not know of any court case that discusses the effect of an inadequate notice on when you can appeal under the Lanterman Act. But this issue has been addressed in other administrative systems: Morales v. McMahon (1990) 223 Cal.App.3d 184 (adequate notice required before time to appeal starts to run) and Reynolds v. Workmen’s Comp. Appeals Bd. (1974) 12 Cal.3d 726 (statute of limitations tolled until the legally required notices are given). See also Item 99-12-01A from the State Hearings Division Notes from the Training Bureau concerning the consequences of sending a notice in English to someone who does not read English, www.dss.cahwnet.gov/shd/ViewNotesb_1649.htm.