GN 03325.004 Disclosure of Additional Identifying Information When Only the Social Security Number (SSN) is Provided to SSA

There are extremely rare cases in which we may provide identifying information to a requester when the requester provides us with only an SSN. Because of the difficulty in identifying an individual’s SSN record without sufficient identifying information, disclosure of a name to a requester to match an SSN when no other identifying information (or identifiers) is provided is restricted to situations involving serious law enforcement activities or health and safety situations. Refer these cases to the Office of Privacy and Disclosure (OPD), Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Handle all other cases in which the requester provides only an SSN as potential Freedom of Information Act or Privacy Act denials.

REMINDER: In cases in which a caller does not know the SSN of record, it is our policy not to disclose the SSN over the telephone. Advise the caller to make the request in writing or in person.

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0203325004

GN 03325.004 - Disclosure of Additional Identifying Information When Only the Social Security Number (SSN) is Provided to SSA - 05/29/2018
Batch run: 05/29/2018
Rev:05/29/2018

Program Operations Manual System (POMS)

GN 03325.004 Disclosure of Additional Identifying Information When Only the Social Security Number (SSN) is Provided to SSA