[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 184 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48763-48767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-23015]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. DHS-2008-0088]
Privacy Act of 1974; Federal Emergency Management Agency-008
Disaster Recovery Assistance Files System of Records
AGENCY: Privacy Office; DHS.
ACTION: Notice of Privacy Act system of records.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of
Homeland Security proposes to update and reissue a system of records
titled, Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management
Agency-REG 2 Disaster Recovery Assistance Files [July 6, 2006], into a
Department of Homeland Security system of records notice titled, DHS/
Federal Emergency Management Agency-008 Disaster Recovery Assistance
Files. This system enables the Department of Homeland Security to
administer the DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster
Recovery Assistance system of records. To assist in improving disaster
recovery assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in
partnership with other Federal agencies, hosts a single application and
resource center (http://www.disasterassistance.gov) that allows the
public to apply for disaster assistance, benefits, and other services
within the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other Federal
agencies.
Updated information contained in the Disaster Recovery Assistance
Files, includes, but is not limited to, the disaster applicant's change
of address associated with the applicant's social security number that
will be submitted to the Social Security Administration.
Sharing the date of a disaster applicant's change of address along
with the social security number will allow applicants to update the
Social Security Administration with information to help prevent delay
in receiving benefits and correspondence from the Social Security
Administration.
Categories of individuals, categories of records, and the routine
uses of this system of records notice have been updated to better
reflect the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency
Management Agency's Disaster Recovery Assistance record systems. This
system will be included in the Department's inventory of record
systems. The changes include re-numbering the routine uses to comport
with all of DHS system of record notices.
We have expanded the preamble language in section (h), which was
previously numbered section (a), to include sharing for the purposes of
addressing unmet needs as well as preventing a duplication of benefits.
We expanded the language in (h)(1) (previously (a)(1)) to include all
types of disaster related assistance that a Federal or State agency may
provide. There was some ambiguity as to whether some services that
states provided met the standard set out in the previous system of
records notice. We have added an additional routine use in section (h)
to address immediate health needs of applicants.
We have added routine use section (q) to better assist applicants
by updating all of their information that is filed with government
agencies. FEMA learned that in the aftermath of a disaster, applicants
who were housed in FEMA-provided dwellings had trouble receiving other
services and benefits from other government agencies due to the fact
that those other agencies did not have updated contact information
regarding the applicants. This routine use will address that problem.
In response to Executive Order 13411 we have added routine use (r)
to allow for computer matching agreements with other agencies in order
to better deal with eligibility concerns. Often eligibility for other
Federal agency programs is contingent upon whether the applicant
received assistance from DHS/FEMA and vice versa. The sharing via
computer matching agreements will expedite and improve upon this
process.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 26,
2009. This new system will be effective October 26, 2009.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by Docket Number DHS-
2008-0088 by one of the following methods:
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 703-483-2999.
Mail: Mary Ellen Callahan, Chief Privacy Officer, Privacy
Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.
Instructions: All submissions received must include the
agency name and docket number for this rulemaking. All comments
received will be posted without change and may be read at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background
documents or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general questions please contact:
Delia Davis (202-646-3808), Privacy Officer, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
20472. For privacy issues please contact: Mary Ellen Callahan (703-235-
0780), Chief Privacy Officer, Privacy Office, U.S. Department of
Homeland Security, Washington, DC 20528.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Pursuant to the savings clause in the Homeland Security Act of
2002, Public Law 107-296, Section 1512, 116 Stat. 2310 (November 25,
2002) and in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is
updating and reissuing this system of records for the collection and
maintenance of records pertaining to the Federal Emergency Management
Agency Disaster Recovery Assistance Files.
In compliance with Executive Order 13411, ``Improving Assistance
for Disaster Victims,'' dated August 29, 2006, FEMA has developed and
improved several programs to improve assistance provided to victims of
Presidentially-declared disasters.
The Department of Homeland Security is updating the DHS/FEMA-REG 2
Disaster Recovery Assistance Files [July 6, 2006, 71 FR 38408], and
reissuing it under a new name, DHS/FEMA-008 Disaster Recovery
Assistance Files. This system will enable DHS to administer the Federal
Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Assistance system of
records. To assist in improving disaster recovery assistance, FEMA, in
partnership with other Federal agencies, hosts a single application and
resource center (http://www.disasterassistance.gov) that allows the
public to apply for disaster assistance, benefits, and other services
within FEMA and other Federal agencies.
[[Page 48764]]
Additional routine uses have been added in order to improve
efficiency of administering disaster relief efforts and benefits. FEMA
has added routine use (q) to better assist applicants in updating all
of their information that is filed with government agencies. FEMA
learned that in the aftermath of a disaster, applicants who were housed
in FEMA-provided dwellings had trouble receiving other services and
benefits from other government agencies due to the fact that those
other agencies did not have updated contact information regarding the
applicants. Initially, the following agencies will be using Disaster
Assistance Center: Social Security Administration (SSA), Small Business
Administration (SBA), Department of Education (ED), and Department of
Labor (DOL). In subsequent phases, the following agencies may be using
Disaster Assistance Center: Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Health & Human
Services (HHS), Department of Justice (USDOJ), Department of the
Interior (DOI), Department of Treasury (Treasury), Department of
Veterans' Affairs (VA), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). For
example, sharing the date of a disaster applicant's change of address
together with their social security number will allow applicants to
update Social Security Administration with information to help prevent
delay in receiving benefits and correspondence from the Social Security
Administration.
FEMA has added routine use (r) pursuant to the aforementioned
Executive Order 13411. This allows for computer matching agreements
with other agencies in order to better deal with eligibility concerns.
Eligibility for other Federal agency programs is contingent on whether
the applicant received assistance from DHS/FEMA and vice versa. The
sharing via computer matching agreements will expedite and improve upon
this process.
Specifically, routine use section (h) (previously section a.) more
clearly describes which entities may receive applicant information for
the purposes of preventing duplication of benefits and addressing unmet
needs caused by the disaster. This section also adds an additional
routine use to entities that are able to assist applicants who require
immediate health related needs. FEMA has added routine use (e) to
comport with all DHS system of records notices. Pursuant to the
aforementioned Executive Order 13411, FEMA has added routine uses (q)
and (r). All disclosures made pursuant to the routine uses described
below (unless stated otherwise) require a written request from the
entity seeking the information prior to disclosure. All requests for
applicant information first require legal review and concurrence before
disclosing applicant information under this system.
II. Privacy Act
The Privacy Act embodies fair information principles in a statutory
framework governing the means by which the United States Government
collects, maintains, uses, and disseminates individuals' records. The
Privacy Act applies to information that is maintained in a ``system of
records.'' A ``system of records'' is a group of any records under the
control of an agency for which information is retrieved by the name of
an individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other
identifying particular assigned to the individual. In the Privacy Act,
an individual is defined to encompass United States citizens and lawful
permanent residents. As a matter of policy, DHS extends administrative
Privacy Act protections to all individuals where systems of records
maintain information on U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and
visitors. Individuals may request access to their own records that are
maintained in a system of records in the possession or under the
control of DHS by complying with DHS Privacy Act Regulations, 6 CFR
part 5.
The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish in the Federal
Register a description denoting the type and character of each system
of records that the agency maintains, and the routine uses that are
contained in each system in order to make agency record keeping
practices transparent, to notify individuals regarding the uses of
their records, and to assist individuals to more easily find such files
within the agency. Below is the description of the DHS/FEMA Disaster
Recovery Assistance Files System of Records.
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552a(r), DHS has provided a report of
this revised system of records to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) and to Congress.
System of Records:
DHS/FEMA-008.
System name:
Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Assistance
Files.
Security classification:
Unclassified.
System location:
National Processing Service Centers (NPSC) located at FEMA MD-NPSC,
6511 America Boulevard, Hyattsville, MD 20782; FEMA VA-NPSC, 430 Market
St. Winchester, VA 22603; and FEMA TX-NPSC, 3900 Karina Lane, Denton,
TX 76208.
Categories of individuals covered by the system:
Eligible United States citizens and lawful permanent residents
applying for disaster recovery assistance following a Presidentially-
declared major disaster or emergency.
Categories of records in the system:
Categories of records in this system include:
(a) Registration Records (Form 90-69 and 90-69b, Disaster
Assistance Registration/Application)
Individual's full name;
Social security number, alien number, co-application
social security number;
Date of birth;
Phone numbers;
E-mail addresses;
Addresses;
Language(s) spoken;
Date of disaster and/or property loss including cause of
damage and estimates of repair;
Type of disaster location;
Name for each disaster;
Income information;
Acceptable forms of identification (e.g., drivers license,
state/federal issued photo identification);
Emergency needs of the individual (e.g. food, clothing,
shelter etc.);
Other needs (e.g., medical, dental, moving, funeral etc.)
Type of residence;
Insurance coverage information including names, addresses,
phone numbers, e-mail addresses;
Household size and composition including number and type
of individual's dependents;
Bank name and account information including electronic
funds transfer information;
(b) Inspection Reports (Form 90-56, Inspection Report)
Inspection reports containing individuals' identifying
information and results of surveys of damaged real and personal
property and goods, which may include individuals' homes and personal
items;
(c) Temporary Housing Assistance Eligibility Determinations (Forms
90-11, through 90-13, 90-16, 90-22, 90-24 through 90-28, 90-31, 90-33,
90-41, 90-48, 90-57, 90-68 through 90-70, 90-71, 90-75 through 90-78,
90-82, 90-86,
[[Page 48765]]
90-87, 90-94 through 90-97, 90-99, and 90-101.
Correspondence and documentation related to the approval
and disapproval of temporary housing assistance including: general
correspondence, complaints, appeals and resolutions, requests for
disbursement of payments, inquiries from tenants and landlords, general
administrative and fiscal information, payment schedules and forms,
termination notices, information shared with the temporary housing
program staff from other agencies to prevent the duplication of
benefits, leases, contracts, specifications for repair of disaster
damaged residences, reasons for eviction or denial of aid, sales
information after tenant purchase of housing units, and the status of
disposition of applications for housing;
(d) Eligibility Decisions for Disaster Aid from other Federal and
State Agencies (forms 76-27 through 70-28, 76-30, 76-32, 76-34 through
76-35 and 76-38)
Notations of decisions for disaster aid from other Federal
and State agencies as they relate to determinations of individuals'
eligibility for disaster assistance programs.
Other files independently kept by the State, which contain
records of persons who request disaster aid, specifically for the
``Other Needs'' assistance provision of the Individuals and Households
Program (IHP), and its predecessor program, the Individuals and Family
Grant (IFG), administrative files and reports required by FEMA. As to
individuals, the State keeps the same type of information as described
above under registration, inspection, and temporary housing assistance
records. As to administrative files and reporting requirements.
Authority for maintenance of the system:
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act as
amended (the Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206 and Reorganization Plan
No. 3 of 1978, 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the Privacy Act, Executive Order
13411, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296, Section
1512, 116 Stat. 2310 (November 25, 2002), 5 U.S.C. 552a(b) of the
Privacy Act, 44 U.S.C. sections 2904 and 2906, Debt Collection
Improvement Act of 1996, 31 U.S.C. 3325(d) and 7701(c)(1), Fair Credit
Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681a(f), as amended; Federal Claims
Collection Act of 1966, 31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(3), as amended; 44 CFR
206.2(a)(27).
Purpose(s):
To register applicants needing disaster assistance, to inspect
damaged homes, to verify information provided by each applicant, to
determine eligibility regarding an applicant's request for assistance,
and to identify and implement measures to reduce future disaster
damage, prevent duplication of federal government efforts and benefits,
identify possible fraudulent activity once there has been a
Presidentially-declared major disaster or emergency.
Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories
of users and the purposes of such uses:
In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C.
552a(b) of the Privacy Act, DHS/FEMA may disclose all or a portion of
the records of information contained in this system as a routine use
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(3) as follows:
A. To the Department of Justice (DOJ) (including United States
Attorney Offices) or other Federal agency conducting litigation or in
proceedings before any court, adjudicative or administrative body when
it is necessary to the litigation and one of the following is a party
to the litigation or has an interest in such litigation:
1. DHS or any component thereof;
2. Any employee of DHS in his/her official capacity;
3. Any employee of DHS in his/her individual capacity where DOJ or
DHS has agreed to represent the employee; or
4. The United States or any agency thereof, is a party to the
litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and DHS determines
that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation.
B. To a congressional office from the record of an individual in
response to an inquiry from that congressional office made at the
request and with the consent of the individual to whom the record
pertains.
C. To the National Archives and Records Administration or other
Federal Government agencies pursuant to records management inspections
being conducted under the authority of 44 U.S.C. sections 2904 and
2906.
D. To a Federal agency, organization, or individual for the purpose
of performing audit or oversight operations as authorized by law, but
only such information as is necessary and relevant to such audit or
oversight function.
E. To appropriate agencies, entities, and persons when:
1. DHS suspects or has confirmed that the security or
confidentiality of information in the system of records has been
compromised;
2. The Department has determined that as a result of the suspected
or confirmed compromise there is a risk of harm to economic or property
interests, identity theft or fraud, or harm to the security or
integrity of this system or other systems or programs (whether
maintained by DHS or another agency or entity) or harm to the
individual who relies upon the compromised information; and
3. The disclosure made to such agencies, entities, and persons is
reasonably necessary to assist in connection with DHS's efforts to
respond to the suspected or confirmed compromise and prevent, minimize,
or remedy such harm.
F. To contractors and their agents, grantees, experts, consultants,
and others performing or working on a contract, service, grant,
cooperative agreement, or other assignment for DHS, when necessary to
accomplish an agency function related to this system of records.
Individuals provided information under this routine use are subject to
the same Privacy Act requirements and limitations on disclosure as are
applicable to DHS officers and employees.
G. Where a record, either on its face or in conjunction with other
information, indicates a violation or potential violation of law--
criminal, civil, or regulatory--the relevant records may be referred to
an appropriate Federal, State, tribal, local, international, or foreign
law enforcement agency or other appropriate authority charged with
investigating or prosecuting such a violation or enforcing or
implementing a law, rule, regulation, or order, so long as such
disclosure is proper and consistent with the official duties of the
person receiving the information.
H. To certain agencies where FEMA may disclose applicant
information necessary to prevent a duplication of efforts or a
duplication of benefits in determining eligibility for disaster
assistance, or to certain entities that will provide unmet needs to
eligible, ineligible or partially eligible FEMA applicants. Only the
least amount of necessary information shall be released to enable the
recipient agency to determine eligibility for that agency's particular
assistance program(s). The receiving agency is not permitted to alter
or to further disclose the disclosed records to other disaster
organizations. FEMA may make such disclosures under the following
circumstances:
1. To another Federal agency or State government agency charged by
statute or regulation in administering disaster relief programs. This
includes programs
[[Page 48766]]
that make available any additional Federal and State disaster
assistance to individuals and households and authorities that give
preference of priority to disaster victims to the extent the
information is relevant and necessary and is compatible as to purpose.
2. When an applicant seeks assistance from a local government
agency or a voluntary organization (as defined at 44 CFR 206.2(a)(27),
as amended or superseded) charged under legislation or charter with
administering disaster relief programs, and FEMA receives a written
request from that local government or voluntary agency that includes
the applicant's name, date of birth, FEMA registration/application
number, and damaged dwelling address. The written request must explain
the type of tangible assistance being offered and the type of
verification required before the assistance can be provided.
3. To voluntary organizations (as defined at 44 CFR 206.2(a)(27),
as amended or superseded) that have an established disaster assistance
program to address the disaster-related unmet needs of disaster
victims, are actively involved in the recovery efforts of the disaster,
and either have a national membership in good standing with the
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), or are
participating in the FEMA or State recognized disaster's Long-Term
Recovery Committee. When a voluntary agency satisfies all of the
criteria listed in this sub-paragraph, FEMA may release lists of
individuals' names, contact information, and their FEMA inspected loss
amount to the voluntary agency for the sole purpose of providing
additional disaster assistance. FEMA shall release this information
only from the time that disaster period is first open until 90 days
after the disaster period is closed.
4. FEMA may immediately disclose, on a case-by-case basis,
applicant information to an entity qualifying under routine use (H)(3)
above or to an entity approved by the FEMA Disability Coordinator, if
the applicant in question has a special need for durable medical
equipment or device, and the qualifying entity is able to provide the
assistance to the applicant in question. Specifically, FEMA may release
the applicants name and telephone number. A written request is not
necessary in this situation, however FEMA shall provide a written
letter along with the information to receiving entity, and in turn the
receiving entity shall send FEMA an acknowledgement letter that it has
received the information and has contacted the applicant. In addition,
the entity will confirm that it has taken the steps to protect the
information provided. Only the FEMA Disability Coordinator or designee
is authorized to approve a release under this routine use.
I. To relevant agencies, organizations, and institutions when an
individual's eligibility, in whole or in part, for a disaster
assistance program depends upon benefits already received or available
from another source for the same purpose as necessary to determine what
benefits are available from another source and to prevent the
duplication of disaster assistance benefits (as described in section
312 of the Stafford Act).
J. To Federal, State, or local agencies in response to a written
request, FEMA may disclose information charged with the implementation
of hazard mitigation measures and the enforcement of hazard-specific
provisions of building codes, standards, and ordinances. FEMA may only
disclose information for the following purposes:
1. For hazard mitigation planning purposes to assist States and
local communities in identifying high-risk areas and preparing
mitigation plans that target those areas for hazard mitigation projects
implemented under Federal, State or local hazard mitigation programs.
2. For enforcement purposes, to enable State and local communities
to ensure that owners repair or rebuild structures in conformance with
applicable hazard-specific building codes, standards, and ordinances.
K. To the Department of the Treasury, pursuant to the Debt
Collection Improvement Act of 1996, 31 U.S.C. 3325(d) and 7701(c)(1),
on the release of a social security number of the person doing business
with FEMA, including an applicant for a grant. An applicant's social
security number will be released in connection with a request for
payment to the Department of the Treasury to provide a disaster
assistance payment to an applicant under the Individual Assistance
program.
L. To a State in connection with billing that State for the
applicable non-Federal cost share under the Individuals and Households
Program. Information shall only include list of applicants' names,
contact information, and amounts of assistance received.
M. To local emergency managers, when an applicant is occupying a
FEMA Temporary Housing unit, for the purposes of preparing,
administering, coordinating and/or monitoring emergency response,
public safety, and evacuation plans. FEMA shall only release the
address and location of the housing unit.
N. To the Department of the Treasury, Justice, the United States
Attorney's Office, or a consumer reporting agency for further
collection action on any delinquent debt when circumstances warrant.
O. To Federal or State law enforcement authority, or agency, or
other entity authorized to investigate and/or coordinate locating
missing children and/or reuniting families.
P. To State and local government election authorities to oversee
the voting process within their respective State/county/parish, for the
limited purpose of ensuring voting rights of individuals who have
applied to FEMA for Disaster Assistance, limited to their own
respective State's/county's/parish's citizens who are displaced by a
Presidentially-declared major disaster or emergency out of their State/
county/parish voting jurisdiction.
Q. To certain Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies where FEMA
may disclose an applicant's disaster related information to update the
applicant's current records (i.e. change of address, effective date of
change of address, etc.) within that agency to reduce additional
efforts following a Presidentially-declared disaster (i.e. Social
Security Administration, a state Department of Motor Vehicles, or state
health agency that needs updated contact information).
R. To other Federal agencies or non-Federal entities under approved
computer matching efforts, if use of such information is compatible
with the purpose for which DHS collected the information. Sharing is
limited to only those data elements considered relevant and necessary
to determine eligibility under particular benefit programs administered
by those agencies or entities or by DHS or any component thereof to
improve program integrity, and to collect debts and other monies owed
under those programs.
S. To the news media and the public, with the approval of the Chief
Privacy Officer in consultation with Counsel, when there exists a
legitimate public interest in the disclosure of the information or when
disclosure is necessary to preserve confidence in the integrity of the
Department or is necessary to demonstrate the accountability of the
Department's officers, employees, or individuals covered by the system,
except to the extent it is determined that release of the specific
information in the context of a particular case would constitute an
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
[[Page 48767]]
Disclosure to consumer reporting agencies:
Disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(12). DHS/FEMA may make
disclosures from this system to ``consumer reporting agencies'' as
defined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act 15 U.S.C. 1681a(f), as
amended; or the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 31 U.S.C.
3701(a)(3), as amended.
Policies and practices for storing, retrieving, accessing, retaining,
and disposing of records in the system:
Storage:
Records in this system are stored in an interactive database,
computer discs, and paper records in file folders.
Retrievability:
Records may be retrieved by an individual's name, address, social
security number, and case file number.
Safeguards:
Only authorized FEMA employees and contractors have access to this
information. Hardware and software computer security measures are used
to control access to the data. Access to the data is based upon an
individual's position in FEMA and/or their designated duties.
Individuals are assigned specific ``rights'' or specific access (e.g.,
read only, modify, delete, etc.). The access granted is based upon an
individual's position responsibilities for ``official use'' only. FEMA
employees are allowed access to the data as a function of their
specific job assignments within their respective organizations. Each
FEMA employee's access to the data is restricted to that needed to
carry out their duties.
No individual applying for disaster assistance will have access to
the entire database via the Internet. Applicants will have limited
access to only their own information that they submitted via the
Internet, and to the status of their own information regarding the
processing of their own application (e.g. the status of required
documentation, inspection status, or SBA status). Applicants are
provided a Logon id, password, and Personal Identification Number (PIN)
that connect only to the applicant's data. The password and PIN ensures
that the login id belongs to the applicant. Computer security software
ensures that the login id is mapped only to the applicant's data.
Applicants will have access to only their own application information
after FEMA assigns them a properly authenticated user id, password, and
PIN. Applicants will be registered and authenticated in accordance with
National Institute of Standards and Technology Level 2 Assurance
guidelines.
Retention and disposal:
Records pertaining to individual assistance EXCEPT those relating
to temporary housing and Individuals and Households Program programs
will retire to inactive storage when two years old and destroyed when
six years three months old in accordance with FEMA Records Schedule No.
N1-311-86-1, item 4C10a. Records pertaining to temporary housing will
be destroyed three years after close of the operation in accordance
with FRS No. N1-311-86-1, item 4C10b. Closeout occurs when the disaster
contract is terminated. Records pertaining to the IHP program will
retire to the Federal Records Center (FRC) one year after closeout and
destroyed three years after closeout.
System Manager and address:
Division Director, Individual Assistance Division, Federal
Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472.
Notification procedure:
Individuals seeking notification of and access to any record
contained in this system of records, or seeking to contest its content,
may submit a request in writing to the Headquarters or component's FOIA
Officer, whose contact information can be found at http://www.dhs.gov/foia under ``contacts.'' If an individual believes more than one
component maintains Privacy Act records concerning him or her the
individual may submit the request to the Chief Privacy Officer,
Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Drive, SW., Building 410,
STOP-0550, Washington, DC 20528.
When seeking records about yourself from this system of records or
any other Departmental system of records your request must conform with
the Privacy Act regulations set forth in 6 CFR part 5. You must first
verify your identity, meaning that you must provide your full name,
current address and date and place of birth. You must sign your
request, and your signature must either be notarized or submitted under
28 U.S.C. 1746, a law that permits statements to be made under penalty
of perjury as a substitute for notarization. While no specific form is
required, you may obtain forms for this purpose from the Director,
Disclosure and FOIA, http://www.dhs.gov or 1-866-431-0486. In addition
you should provide the following:
An explanation of why you believe the Department would
have information on you,
Identify which component(s) of the Department you believe
may have the information about you,
Specify when you believe the records would have been
created,
Provide any other information that will help the FOIA
staff determine which DHS component agency may have responsive records,
If your request is seeking records pertaining to another
living individual, you must include a statement from that individual
certifying his/her agreement for you to access his/her records.
Without this bulleted information the component(s) may not be able
to conduct an effective search, and your request may be denied due to
lack of specificity or lack of compliance with applicable regulations.
Record access procedures:
See ``Notification procedure'' above.
Contesting record procedures:
See ``Notification procedure'' above.
Record source categories:
FEMA receives information from individuals who apply for disaster
recovery assistance through three different media: (1) Electronically
via the Internet at http://www.disasterassistance.gov; (2) by calling
FEMA's toll-free number 1-800-621-3362, and (3) through submission of a
paper copy of FEMA Form 90-69. In addition information in this records
system may come from credit rating bureaus, financial institutions,
insurance companies, State, local and voluntary agencies providing
disaster relief, and commercial databases (for verification purposes).
Exemptions claimed for the system:
None.
Dated: September 14, 2009.
Mary Ellen Callahan,
Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. E9-23015 Filed 9-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-17-P