TN 2 (02-20)

GN 03316.065 Disclosure Without Consent to General Third Party Contacts to Assist in Administering Social Security Administration (SSA) Programs

We established routine uses under the Privacy Act that allow us to disclose non-tax information to third party entities (either public or private), as necessary, to administer our programs and responsibilities under the Social Security Act. However, we may not disclose tax return information to third party entities. You can view a full listing of all of our systems of records and their routine uses at https://www.ssa.gov/privacy/sorn.html.

The following are examples of disclosures we may make to third party contacts to assist in administering our programs:

A. Disclosure to obtain information relating to an individual’s benefit eligibility/entitlement or capability to manage his or her affairs

We may disclose information to a third party contact when the party has, or is expected to have, information relating to an individual’s eligibility for, or entitlement to, benefits under a Social Security program, or capability to manage his or her benefits. We may disclose information under the following circumstances:

1. Individual unable to provide necessary information

This condition is met when:

  • the individual cannot read or write;

  • the individual cannot afford the cost of obtaining the information;

  • the individual has a hearing impairment and is contacting us by telephone through a telecommunications relay system operator;

  • a language barrier exists (e.g., Limited English Proficiency); or

  • the custodian of the information will not, if policy precludes it, provide the information.

2. To establish evidence or verify accuracy of information

We may disclose information when it is necessary to establish the validity of evidence, or to verify the accuracy of information presented by the individual, and it concerns one or more of the following:

  • his or her eligibility or entitlement to benefits under a Social Security program;

  • the amount of a benefit payment; or

  • any case in which evidence is being reviewed, as a result of suspected fraud or abuse, concern for program integrity, quality appraisal, or evaluation and measurement activities (e.g., research studies).

3. To determine the authenticity of documents

We may disclose information to third party contacts when the party to be contacted has or is expected to have information that will verify documents when we are unable to determine if such documents are authentic.

B. Disclosure to addiction treatment facilities

Our regulations (20 C.F.R. § 416.936(a)) provide that in order to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), individuals with drug addiction or alcoholism as a material factor in the determination of disability must avail themselves of appropriate treatment for drug addiction or alcoholism at a facility approved by SSA. In these cases, we may disclose information to approved facilities when the information is necessary to determine the best course of treatment for the individual.

See GN 03301.040B for limitations on the disclosure of drug abuse and alcoholism records.

C. Disclosure to verify Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility under Section 1631(e) of the Social Security Act (Act)

Section 1631(e) of the Act requires SSA to verify eligibility for SSI under Title XVI of the Act other than by declaration (e.g., by using collateral sources). In these cases, information may be disclosed to private parties or to Federal, State or local agencies to obtain relevant information.

Disclosure may be made only from the following systems of records:

  • 60-0089—Claims Folders System;

  • 60-0103—Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefits; and

  • 60-0320—Electronic Disability (eDIB) Claim File.

D. Disclosure to medical and vocational consultants

SSA or a State Disability Determination Services (DDS) may engage the services of private consultants to prepare for or perform consultative examinations or vocational assessments of individuals applying for disability benefits under sections 221 and 1633 of the Social Security Act. In these cases, SSA and DDS may disclose relevant non-tax return information (including verification of Social Security numbers (SSN)) to medical and vocational consultants.

We may disclose information to medical and vocational consultants under routine uses applicable in, but not limited to, the following systems of records:

  • 60-0089—Claims Folders System, or

  • 60-0320—eDIB Claim File.

See GN 03325.000 for instructions concerning verification of SSNs.

NOTE: Medical and vocational consultant reports prepared and submitted to us under contract become the property of SSA. In addition, records retained by medical sources pertaining to a consultative examination performed for the Social Security program are subject to our privacy regulations and can be disclosed only as authorized by SSA’s regulations.

E. Disclosures to claimant (or other individual authorized to act on his or her behalf) to pursue a claim for recovery of misapplied or misused benefits

We may disclose the current contact information such as address, phone number, email address of the claimant’s representative payee from the system of record, 60-0222—Master Representative Payee File.

F. To establish or verify information provided by representative payees and payee applicants

We may disclose information to third parties, where necessary, to establish or verify information provided by representative payees or payee applicants. We may disclose relevant information from the following systems of records, including but not limited to:

  • 60-0089—Claims Folders System;

  • 60-0090—Master Beneficiary Record;

  • 60-0103—Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefits;

  • 60-0222—Master Representative Payee File;

  • 60-0269—Prisoner Update Processing System (PUPS); and

  • 60-0320—eDIB Claim File.

NOTE: Do not disclose the address of a former payee to the current payee, as this is not necessary to perform his or her duties.

G. To obtain information to determine a representative payee’s or representative payee applicant’s suitability

We may disclose information to a third party, where necessary, to obtain information concerning a representative payee or payee applicant. Information we gather includes employment, sources of income, criminal justice records, stability of residence and other information to determine the qualifications and suitability of a representative payee or payee applicant, or their use of the benefits paid to them under section 205(j) of the Act. The disclosure should be limited to the identity of a representative payee or payee applicant; the fact of the individual’s application for or service as payee; and as necessary, the identity of the beneficiary. We may disclose information from the system of records, 60-0222—Master Representative Payee File.

H. To social agencies assisting SSA in locating a suitable representative payee

We may only disclose information that would help an agency advise us in selecting a representative payee.

We may disclose information including, but not limited to, the following systems of records:

  • 60-0089—Claims Folders System;

  • 60-0090—Master Beneficiary Record;

  • 60-0103—Supplemental Security Income Record and Special Veterans Benefits;

  • 60-0222—Master Representative Payee File; and

  • 60-0320—eDIB Claim File.

I. To assist in collecting overpayments

We may disclose certain information to third party contacts (including consumer reporting agencies and private collection agencies) to assist us in collecting overpayments under the routine use, cited in a number of our systems of records. You can view a full listing of all of our systems of records and their routine uses at https://www.ssa.gov/privacy/sorn.html.

See GN 03316.075 for more information regarding disclosure without consent to consumer reporting agencies.


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GN 03316.065 - Disclosure Without Consent to General Third Party Contacts to Assist in Administering Social Security Administration (SSA) Programs - 10/08/2010
Batch run: 02/06/2020
Rev:10/08/2010