I got this message from my Denny list site. I was not aware that the Social Security records search cost was going up. So I thought I would send this on....first fishing license and not record searches.....what will be next Diana in Rush Co. ----- Original Message ----- Subject: Social Security Records Applications - Obtaining under Freedom of Information Act I received an email from a fellow researcher concerning the new fees for doing searches of Social Security Records. This CANNOT be allowed to continue! I suggest you contact your Senators and Congressmen in Washington, and complain often, loudly, and vehemently! Go to: http://www.ssa.gov/foia/foia_guide.htm About 3/4 of the way down the page, you'll see the new prices for doing searches. In the past, it cost $7 for such a search; now the "basic" price is $27, which is an "average fee based on frequently requested records". Other records are based on an "hourly fee", which depends on the "grade" of the employee doing the search. GS GRADE HOURLY FEE GS-1 through GS-8 $16.00 per hour GS-9 through GS-14 $33.00 per hour GS-15 and above $59.00 per hour Can you believe it?! Also, they say, "...we let you know if your request will cost more than $250 before starting a search." My question is, how do they know "before starting a search" how many hours it will take? Sounds like more Bull from Washington to me. I figure someone isn't happy with Bush's returning some of our tax money to us, so that someone has figured out how to get some of it back into the coffers. SgtGeorge George W. Durman