Procedure to Seek Correction of Information Under Section 515

Background

In accordance with Section 515 of Public Law 106-554, codified at 44 U.S.C. § 3516, note, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has developed a procedure to allow you to seek and obtain correction of information SSA maintains and disseminates.

OMB has directed each agency to establish administrative mechanisms allowing affected persons to seek and obtain correction of information maintained and disseminated by the agency that does not comply with SSA or OMB information quality guidelines.

Procedures to seek correction of information under section 515 do not replace other established processes for challenges to disseminated information. Challenges to information disseminated in the course of rulemaking should be made through the channels established for that purpose. In special circumstances to prevent harm, information disseminated in the course of rulemaking may be challenged under these procedures when doing so will provide a more timely response and will not unduly delay issuance of final action in the matter.

What you must do

To seek a correction of information under section 515, follow the procedure described below:

• State that your request for correction of information is submitted under section 515 information quality guidelines.
• Include your name, organizational affiliation (if any), telephone number, and your mailing or email address. We need this information to respond to your request and contact you if required. Do not send us your Social Security Number.
• Clearly describe the information you believe is in error and want corrected because it does not comply with SSA or OMB quality guidelines. Include the name of the report or data product where the information is located, the date of issuance, and a detailed description of the information to be corrected.
• State specifically why the information should be corrected, describe the impact of the information you believe is in error, and if possible, recommend specifically how it should be corrected. Provide supporting documentary evidence, such as comparable data or research results on the same topic, to help in the review of your request.

What we will do

Based on a review of the information provided, we will:

• Determine whether a correction is warranted, and, if so, what action to take. The nature, influence, and timeliness of the information involved, the significance of the correction on the use of the information, and the magnitude of the correction will determine the level of review and any corrective action.
• Respond to you by letter or email. Our response will explain the findings of the review and the actions SSA will take.
• Respond to your request for correction of information within sixty calendar days of receipt. If the request requires more than sixty calendar days to resolve, we will tell you that more time is required, state the reason why, and include an estimated decision date.

You may appeal our decision

If you are not satisfied with our response to your request for correction of information, you may appeal our decision. SSA must receive your appeal within sixty calendar days of the date we responded to your initial request. When submitting an appeal, you must:

• Clearly state that you are appealing our decision of an earlier request for correction of information under section 515 information quality guidelines.
• Include your name, organizational affiliation (if any), telephone number, and your mailing or email address.
• Include a copy of your initial request and our response.
• Provide us with the reasons you feel reconsideration is warranted along with supporting documentation, if any.

SSA will convene a panel to review your appeal. During the review, the chair of the panel may contact you to clarify issues and may seek technical advice from outside the panel. The panel will typically advise you of its decision on your appeal within sixty calendar days from the time the appeal was received by SSA. If the panel requires more than sixty calendar days, you will be informed that more time is needed to evaluate the appeal and be given an estimated date for a decision.

How to submit your request

You must seek correction of information under section 515 in writing and send it to SSA by mail, fax, or email as follows:

Mail:	Social Security Administration Office of Public Inquiries Section 515 1100 West High Rise, 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235-6401
Fax:	410-965-0695
Email:	SSA.OMB.515@ssa.gov

You may appeal our decision by mail, fax or email to one of the addresses above.

Correction requests received

Correction requests and their disposition.

Privacy Act statement

We are authorized to collect the information you provide under section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001. The information is needed to process your request for correction of information and to allow us to reply to you. You do not have to give us the information, but failure to do so may prevent your request from being processed. In general, the information you furnish will be used only to process and respond to your request. However, we may disclose information to a congressional office in response to an inquiry made on your behalf, to the Department of Justice, a court, or another tribunal when the information is relevant and necessary to litigation, or to a contractor, student aide or volunteer, or another Federal agency to help accomplish a function related to this process. For questions about the use of information you provide under section 515, contact one of the addresses above.