Understanding the Freedom of Information Act and Disclosure of Public Records

If you’ve ever wanted access to information held by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you’re in luck.

https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/401/401-0130.htm

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requires the SSA to disclose any information in their records upon request from the public, with a few exceptions. The Privacy Act permits disclosure when the FOIA requires it. The public, in this context, does not include Federal agencies, courts, or the Congress, but does include State agencies, individuals, corporations, and most other parties. The FOIA does not apply to requests that are not from the public, such as those from a Federal agency. However, the SSA still applies FOIA principles to requests from these other sources for disclosure of program information.

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