Basic Considerations

All case record material is confidential, including the names and addresses of applicants and recipients, as well as the types and amount of benefits provided.

Refer to 2011 Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 for additional information regarding privacy of health information.

Case record information may be released to the following:

the applicant/recipient (A/R)

the personal representative (PR)

an individual or agency if the A/R signs Form 5459, Authorization of Release of Information

The county office may charge for photostatic copies of case record material.

The following information may not be released to anyone , including the A/R:

medical or psychiatric information marked confidential if the information in the record could be harmful to the A/R

information provided by an individual who has requested confidentiality

confidential information regarding pending criminal prosecution

information obtained from the IRS

Penalties for release of IRS information include:

fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both, including costs of prosecution for felony disclosure

dismissal from employment

discharge from employment upon conviction for such offense

civil action for damages against the taxpayer brought by that taxpayer in a district court of the United States.

If the A/R requests any of the above information, refer the A/R to the source of the information.