If an individual authorizes disclosure of personal information, we should generally
assume that that person knows what is in the file. This is also true of the parent
of a minor child or legal guardian who is acting on behalf of that person. In these
cases, personal data do not have to be deleted from the file.
However, if embarrassment or harm could be caused by disclosing certain material in
the file to a third party, consider discussing the material with the person authorizing
release before disclosing the information.
Claims material relating to another person, such as a number holder's (NH) spouse
or child, must be considered to be in a separate file, even though it is physicially
located in the NH's claims folder.
EXAMPLE: Authorization by an NH to release information about himself would not apply to information
relating to his wife.