[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 20, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 20CFR402.165]

[Page 36-37]
 
                      TITLE 20--EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS
 
               CHAPTER III--SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
 
PART 402_AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION AND RECORDS TO THE PUBLIC--Table 
of Contents
 
Sec. 402.165  Fee schedule.

    The following is our fee schedule for providing records and related 
services under the FOIA:
    (a) Manual searching for or reviewing of records. When the search or 
review is performed by employees at grade GS-1 through GS-8, we will 
charge an hourly rate based on the salary of a GS-5, step 7, employee; 
when done by a GS-9 through GS-14, an hourly rate based on the salary of 
a GS-12, step 4, employee; and when done by a GS-15 or above, an hourly 
rate based on the salary of a GS-15, step 7, employee. In each case, we 
will compute the hourly rate by taking the current hourly rate for the 
specified grade and step, adding 16% of that rate to cover benefits, and 
rounding to the nearest whole dollar. As of January 5, 1997, these rates 
were $14, $28, and $50 respectively. These rates are adjusted as Federal 
salaries change. When a search involves employees at more than one of 
these levels, we will charge the rate appropriate for each.
    (b) Computer searching and printing. We will charge the actual cost 
of operating the computer plus charges for the time spent by the 
operator, at the rates given in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) Photocopying standard size pages. We will charge $0.10 per page. 
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Officer may charge lower fees for 
particular documents where--
    (1) The document has already been printed in large numbers;
    (2) The program office determines that using existing stock to 
answer this request, and any other anticipated FOI requests, will not 
interfere with program requirements; and
    (3) The FOI Officer determines that the lower fee is adequate to 
recover the prorated share of the original printing costs.
    (d) Photocopying odd-size documents. For photocopying documents such 
as punchcards or blueprints, or reproducing other records such as tapes, 
we will charge the actual costs of operating the machine, plus the 
actual cost of the materials used, plus charges for the time spent by 
the operator, at the rates given in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (e) Certifying that records are true copies. This service is not 
required by the FOIA. If we agree to provide it, we will charge $10 per 
certification.
    (f) Sending records by express mail, certified mail, or other 
special methods. This service is not required by the FOIA. If we agree 
to provide it, we will charge our actual costs.
    (g) Other special services. For performing any other special service 
that you request and we agree to, we will

[[Page 37]]

charge the actual costs of operating any machinery, plus actual cost of 
any materials used, plus charges for the time of our employees, at the 
rates given in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (h) Billing exceeds cost of service. Generally we will not charge 
you a fee when the cost of the service is less than the cost of sending 
you a bill. However, where an individual, organization, or governmental 
unit makes multiple separate requests, we will total the costs incurred 
and periodically bill the requester for the services rendered.
    (i) Fee for copies of printed materials. When extra copies of 
printed material are available, the charge is generally 1 cent per page. 
If the material may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, 
the charge is that set by the Superintendent. The Superintendent's 
address is in Sec. 402.40.
    (j) When not applicable. This fee schedule does not apply to 
requests for records of Social Security number holders, wage earners, 
employers, and claimants when the requests are governed by section 1106 
of the Social Security Act and by Sec. Sec. Sections 402.170 and 
402.175.