Hi, I would just like to let all know that I sent a letter to my Senator when all of this first came up about the increase. I am not able to scan the letter I received,but I can copy it into here word for word so that all of you can see the response I received.Even if you had done something before the increase, I don't think it would have done any good.This letter is from BLANCHE LAMBERT LINCOLN (wonder if her husband is a desc. of Pres. Lincoln?) and she is a Senator from Arkansas. "Dear Dawn: Thank you for contacting me regarding the increase in fees charged by the Social Security Administration for requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Social Security Administration cannot charge for program services such as applying for benefits or replacing a Social Security card. With regard to FOIA requests to support genealogical research, the Social Security Administration is allowed to charge fees based on the costs of providing information. I agree with you that increasing the fee to locate and copy an application for a Social Security card from $7 to $27 is unreasonable. The Social Security Administration has not provided an adequate explanation for the large increases. The agency has claimed that the large increases are necessary because fees have not increased since 1988. However, labor and other costs at the Social Security Administration have not increased at such a rate as to justify these large increases in fees. I was appointed this year to the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction over Social Security. I will work in the Senate to bring about a reasonable fee schedule so that genealogists can continue their important work. Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. If I can be of assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to let me know. Sincerely, Blanche L. Lincoln" As you can see, it was the same old gov't response,etc.,etc.,etc... I WILL BELIEVE WHEN I SEE . Dawn Dykes Petz, ccddpetz@ipa.net