TIP OF THE WEEK - November 18, 2013

1. TIP OF THE WEEK - November 18, 2013 As the ICPA (custodian of the FECA File), do you have the authority to release the file to agency investigators?

2. ANSWER: • All records relating to claims for benefits filed under the FECA, including any copies of such records maintained by an employing agency, are covered by the government-wide Privacy Act system of records entitled DOL/GOVT–1; This means investigators do not have unlimited access to FECA case file information. • “Investigators may have access to the file when: • The claimant has provided expressed written consent to you to provide information from their file to a specific agency. • There is an active criminal investigation. Investigators must provide: • The agency's investigative file number to document the reason for exception. • The reason that criminal activity is suspected and the expected relevance of OWCP case file documents. • The OWCP case file should not be the original source for an investigation. • If you have questions contact your DOD liaison and the reference below before you release any information. Investigative information should not be loaded via ECOMP. Reference: Privacy Act Systems - DOL/GOVT-1 http://www.dol.gov/sol/privacy/dol-govt-1.htm; DOL/OWCP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) http://www.dol.gov/owcp/contacts/jac/6faq.htm; FECA CIRCULAR NO. 12-02 http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dfec/regs/compliance/DFECfolio/FECACirculars/index.htm#CIRCULAR1202; 20 CFR 10.11 - Who maintains custody and control of FECA records http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2010-title20-vol1/CFR-2010-title20-vol1-sec10-11/content-detail.html If you have a question or topic for Tip of the Week, contact your District 6 Liaison, Jacksonville, FL