---
kind: "section"
citation: "1 C.F.R. § 304.31"
title: "1"
number: "304.31"
heading: "Use and collection of social security numbers and other information."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/1/304.31"
---

# §304.31. Use and collection of social security numbers and other information.


The agency will ensure that employees authorized to collect information are aware:

- (a) That individuals may not be denied any right, benefit, or privilege as a result of refusing to provide their social security numbers, unless the collection is authorized either by a statute or by a regulation issued prior to 1975;
- (b) That individuals requested to provide their social security numbers, or any other information collected from them, must be informed, before providing such information, of:
  - (1) Whether providing social security numbers (or such other information) is mandatory or voluntary;
  - (2) Any statutory or regulatory authority that authorizes the collection of social security numbers (or such other information);
  - (3) The principal purpose(s) for which the information is intended to be used;
  - (4) The routine uses that may be made of the information; and
  - (5) The effects, in any, on the individual of not providing all or any part of the requested information; and
- (c) That, where the information referred to above is requested on a form, the requirements for informing such individuals are set forth on the form used to collect the information, or on a separate form that can be retained by such individuals.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a, 591-96.

### Source

Source: 76 FR 18635, Apr. 5, 2011, unless otherwise noted.