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1425.05.00 ACCESS AND USE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION Access and use of confidential information are to be restricted to those DFR staff members with direct responsibility for establishing eligibility, authorizing benefit levels, and providing services for the individual or family for whom the information was obtained. Confidential information may also be shared with DFR staff who have responsibility for administration and oversight of the programs for which the confidential information was secured. Under no circumstances may a list of names and addresses of applicants/recipients be released for commercial or political purposes.4 1425.10.00 RELEASE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION Sections 1425.10.05 through 1425.10.15 describe circumstances in which confidential information may be released. 1425.10.05 RELEASE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO THE INDIVIDUAL Upon request of an applicant/recipient and/or their authorized representative for the examination of their case record, all case information pertaining to that individual is to be made available.5 Individuals who request copies of case material may be charged a fee per page (not to exceed the actual cost of copying) by the local DFR office. When a hearing has been requested, federal regulations6 mandate that the claimant, or their representative, will have adequate opportunity to examine the contents of their case file and all documents and records to be used by the agency at the hearing at a reasonable time before the date of the hearing as well as during the hearing. 1425.10.10 RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO THIRD PARTIES Unless permitted in one of the following sections, the release of agency information requires a statement signed by the applicant/recipient, authorizing the local office to release the information to the requesting agency or individual.7 This written authorization must specify the scope of information the Local Office is authorized to release, the specific agency or individual to whom the information is to be released, and the period of time for which information is to be released. The AUTHORIZATION FOR DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL AND HEALTH INFORMATION form (State Form 54621) should be used to ensure all the needed information is provided and that the parties are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the agreement. Authorizations should be preserved in the case file. 1425.10.10.05 RELEASE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION WITHOUT CONSENT Confidential information may be released without the applicant's/recipient's permission for purposes directly connected with the following scenarios.