TN 6 (04-19)

NL 00610.100 Spanish Quick Reference Guide

This guide only applies to Spanish notices. For the English notice quick reference guide, see NL 00610.090 in this section.

Category

Guidelines

General Translation Information

  • 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.

Reading Level Standard

  • Sixth to eighth-grade reading level

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

Clear Writing Guidelines

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

Notice Elements

 

Addresses

  • 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.

Bullets and Lists

  • 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.

Charts and Tables

  • 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.

Cover Letters

  • Automated or preprinted

  • Place on top of notice

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

Emphasis Techniques

  • 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.

Enclosure(s)

  • 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.

Headings

  • 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.

Ink/Paper

  • 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.

Internet

  • Incorporate SSA Internet links in notices whenever possible

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

MARGINS/SPACING

 

Margins

  • 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.

Spacing of text

  • 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.

Multiple Page Notices

  • 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.

Referral Paragraph

  • Provide appropriate SSA and other contact information

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

 Signature

  • 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.

Summary Sheets

  • 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.

Text

  • 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.

Titles and Salutations

  • Titles and salutations are optional. To include a title for an adult use Sr., Sra., or Srta.

  • Titles are not shown in the mailing address

  • For information on Spanish salutations, see NL 00610.080A.

  • For information on Spanish titles, see NL 00610.080B.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0900610100
NL 00610.100 - Spanish Quick Reference Guide - 08/12/2009
Batch run: 04/25/2019
Rev:08/12/2009