Social Security Administration Disclosure Policy for Law Enforcement Allows Information Sharing, But Ssa Needs to Ensure Consistent Application

By General Accounting Office

Book Id: WPLBN0000008536
Format Type: PDF eBook
File Size: 0.1 MB
Reproduction Date: 2005

Title:	Social Security Administration Disclosure Policy for Law Enforcement Allows Information Sharing, But Ssa Needs to Ensure Consistent Application
Author:	General Accounting Office
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Government publications, Accountability in government, United States. General Accounting Office
Collections:	Government Library Collection, Government Accountability Integrity Reliability Office Collection
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	United States General Accounting Office (Gao)


Citation APA MLA Chicago Office, G. A. (n.d.). Social Security Administration Disclosure Policy for Law Enforcement Allows Information Sharing, But Ssa Needs to Ensure Consistent Application. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.us/

Description
Government Accountability Integrity Reliability Office Collection

Excerpt
Excerpt: Although SSA?s disclosure policy permits the sharing of information with law enforcement entities, it is more restrictive than the Privacy Act and the disclosure policies of most federal agencies. While the Privacy Act permits disclosures to law enforcement for any type of crime, SSA only allows disclosures under certain conditions. For example, for serious and violent crimes, SSA will disclose information to law enforcement if the individual whose information is sought has been indicted or convicted of that crime. Even when information is disclosed, it might be limited to results obtained from verifying a social security number and name unless the investigation concerns fraud in SSA or other federal benefit programs, then the agency can work with law enforcement officials as part of a task force or joint investigation. However, the disclosure policies for law enforcement of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Census Bureau, both of which have requirements prescribed in their statutes, are also more restrictive than the Privacy Act and the policies of most federal agencies. SSA officials consider SSA?s disclosure policy integral to carrying out the agency?s mission.