[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: 20CFR402.195]

[Page 40]
 
                      TITLE 20--EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS
 
               CHAPTER III--SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
 
PART 402_AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION AND RECORDS TO THE PUBLIC--Table 
of Contents
 
Sec. 402.195  How a request is denied.

    (a) Oral requests. If we cannot comply with your oral request 
because the Deputy Executive Director for the Office of Public 
Disclosure, Office of the General Counsel (or designee) has not 
previously made a determination to release the record you want, we will 
tell you that fact. If you still wish to pursue your request, you must 
put your request in writing.
    (b) Written requests. If you make a written request and the 
information or record you requested will not be released, we will send 
you an official denial in writing. We will explain why the request was 
denied (for example, the reasons why the requested document is subject 
to one or more clearly described exemptions), will include the name and 
title or position of the person who made the decision, and what your 
appeal rights are.
    (c) Unproductive searches. We make a diligent search for records to 
satisfy your request. Nevertheless, we may not be able always to find 
the records you want using the information you provided, or they may not 
exist. If we advise you that we have been unable to find the records 
despite a diligent search, this does not constitute a denial of your 
request.

[62 FR 4154, Jan. 29, 1997, as amended at 68 FR 60295, Oct. 22, 2003]