Freedom of Information Act

Understanding § 402.145: Responding to FOIA Requests for Records”

Leave a Comment / How to Get Your Own Records. / March 31, 2023

In this blog post, we provide an overview of how government agencies respond to requests for records under the Freedom of Information Act, specifically focusing on § 402.145. https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/402/402-0145.htm The section lays out the procedures that agencies must follow when responding to FOIA requests, including retrieving records, furnishing records, and creating new records. We explain that …

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How to Request a Record Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Leave a Comment / How to Get Your Own Records. / March 31, 2023

Welcome to our blog where we will discuss § 402.130, which outlines how to request a record under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/402/402-0130.htm The FOIA provides individuals with the right to access information held by the federal government. It is important to note that not all information is available under FOIA, as there are …

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Understanding Key Definitions in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Leave a Comment / Glossary of Definitions / March 31, 2023

Welcome to our blog post explaining the definitions found in section 402.30 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/402/402-0030.htm This section provides definitions that are used throughout the rest of the Act. Understanding these definitions is important for anyone who is seeking access to government records through the FOIA. The first definition is “Agency,” …

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Understanding the Freedom of Information Act and Disclosure of Public Records

Leave a Comment / How to Get Your Own Records. / March 31, 2023

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, …

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Verifying Your Identification.

Leave a Comment / Proving Your Identity. / March 27, 2023

§ 401.45. Verifying your identity. https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/401/401-0045.htm § 401.45 is a government regulation that explains how to verify your identity when making a request for notification or access to a record from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA needs to make sure that they only provide sensitive information to the right person, so they require you to …

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Glossary of Definitions

Leave a Comment / Glossary of Definitions / March 27, 2023

The Code of Federal Regulations provides us with a lexicon of terms commonly used at Social Security disability proceedings. https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/401/401-0025.htm § 401.25. Terms defined. Access means making a record available to a subject individual. Act means the Social Security Act. Agency means the Social Security Administration. Commissioner means the Commissioner of Social Security. Disclosure means making a record about an individual available …

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