• •

  Translate concepts, not words. The Spanish translation must have the same meaning as the English.

• •

  Use the English-Spanish Wordbank of Social Security Terminology.

• •

  For more information on general Spanish notice guidelines, see NL 00610.080A.

• •

  Sixth to eighth-grade reading level

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  For more information on reading level guidelines for Spanish notices, see NL 00610.080C.

For information on writing in plain language, see NL 00610.030.

• •

  Show addresses single-spaced with even margins in block format

• •

  Show the return address of the originating component 4” from left side and 1½” minimum from top of page or as needed for placement in a double-window envelope

• •

  Show mailing address at left margin approximately 2½” from top of page or as needed for placement in a window envelope

• •

  Show a servicing office address in the referral paragraph, placed 3½” from the left side of the page

• •

  For information on margins and spacing for addresses, see NL 00610.070C.3.

• •

  Never use a bulleted or numbered list for only one item

• •

  Place bullets ¼” from the left margin

• •

  Place bulleted text ½” from the left margin

• •

  For more information on using bullets and numbered lists, see NL 00610.060D.

• •

  For information on bullets as an emphasis technique, see NL 00610.060G.

• •

  For additional information on the margins and spacing of bullets, see NL 00610.070C.4.

• •

  Use charts and tables to increase clarity

• •

  For information on using tables and charts, see NL 00610.060E.

• •

  For information on margins and spacing for tables and charts, see NL 00610.070C.5.

• •

  Automated or preprinted

• •

  Place on top of notice

• •

  For cover letter guidelines for Spanish notices, see NL 00610.080F.

• •

  Use emphasis techniques, if appropriate

• •

  Do not bold or underline more than two consecutive lines of text

• •

  Never use exclamation points

• •

  For additional information on using emphasis techniques, see NL 00610.060G.

• •

  List each enclosure on a separate single-spaced line

• •

  Place “Enclosure(s)” left-justified below the signature and title block

• •

  For information on how to list notice enclosures, see NL 00610.060K.

• •

  For information on the margins and spacing for enclosure information, see NL 00610.070C.7.

• •

  Use Century Schoolbook or Times New Roman font

  •  

    First-line heading—18-point medium

  •  

    Second-line heading—18-point bold

  •  

    Third-line heading—14-point medium

  •  

    Subordinate heading (subheading, captions)—12-point bold

• •

  For an example of the proper font for headings, see NL 00610.070B.2.

• •

  For margins and spacing of headings, see NL 00610.070C.2.

• •

  For additional information regarding headings in notices, see NL 00610.050C.

• •

  For Spanish headings, see NL 00610.080D.

• •

  Black ink

• •

  20 lb. white bond paper for one-sided notices

• •

  50 lb. white bond paper for two-sided notices

• •

  For information on ink and paper guidelines, see NL 00610.070A.

• •

  Incorporate SSA Internet links in notices whenever possible

• •

  For information on incorporating Internet website information, see NL 00610.060H.

• •

  Top and bottom margins—½” minimum

• •

  Left and right margins—1” minimum

• •

  Do not justify the right margin

• •

  For additional information on margins and spacing in notices, see NL 00610.070C.1.

• •

  Single-spacing for text

• •

  Double-spacing between paragraphs, subordinate headings (subheadings, captions) and subsequent text, bullets, and blocks of information

• •

  For additional information on margins and spacing in notices, see NL 00610.070C.1.

• •

  First page does not contain a page number

• •

  Page numbers shown on second and all subsequent pages, right-justified in the upper-right corner, using the format “Page x of x”

• •

  Center “See Next Page” or “See Other Side” at the bottom of the first page, two lines after the last line of text

• •

  Place a name, claim (or case) number, date, or other appropriate data left-justified in the upper-left corner on the second and all subsequent pages

• •

  Ensure at least two lines of text follow a subordinate heading (subheading, caption) on a page

• •

  Do not break sentences between pages

• •

  Avoid showing signature or signature title alone on the last page

• •

  For information on multiple page guidelines, see NL 00610.070D.

• •

  Provide appropriate SSA and other contact information

• •

  For more specific information on using a referral paragraph, see NL 00610.060I.

• •

  Depends on notice type. For information about specific signatures used, refer to NL 00601.003.

  For Spanish signature titles, see NL 00610.080E.

• •

  Place the notice signature and title block approximately 4¼” from the left side of the page and on the fifth line after the end of the text

• •

  For information on signature margins and spacing, see NL 00610.070C.6.

• •

  Use for complex computations and actions

• •

  For information on using summary sheets, see NL 00610.060L.

• •

  For information on multiple page notices, see NL 00610.070D.

• •

  Use upper and lowercase Century Schoolbook or Times New Roman—12-point medium

• •

  Use Arabic numerals instead of numbers written out in word form, unless the number starts a sentence

• •

  Write out months (for example, Enero)

• •

  For further information about font guidelines for notice text, see NL 00610.070B.1.