Back to FOIA FOIA Guide to Information Resources How to Request Information from AoA under The Freedom of Information Act Administration on Aging Department of Health and Human Services Washington, D.C. 20201 How to Request Information from AoA Under FOIA In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the HHS Freedom of Information Regulations (45 CFR Part 5), the AoA policy is to answer all requests as accurately and completely as possible from existing records. In order to accomplish this most efficiently we require all requests to be submitted in writing, by postal service, facsimile, or messenger; requests must contain the requestor's postal address and the name of the person responsible for paying any fees that may be charged. A phone number where we can reach the requester to get clarification of the request or resolve other issues concerning the request, is strongly recommended. Providing the request in writing assures that all the rights provided by the FOIA and these regulations are protected (for example, the right to administratively appeal any denials we may make and the right to have our decisions reviewed in Federal court). A copy of the current HHS Freedom Of Information Regulations and available HHS FOIA annual reports can be obtained from the HHS Freedom Of Information Office (see addresses below). If you are unable to locate the information you seek online or to obtain it from one of the resources listed elsewhere in this guide, please address your request to the AoA Freedom Of Information Officer Your letter should include all the details possible in order to help us identify and locate the records you want. In addition to having the potential to be very costly in terms of fees, "all the records you have on . . . ." types of requests tend to require a great deal of search time, even if few or no records are found on the subject you are interested in. If you are not sure how to write your request or what details to include, contact a Freedom of Information Officer. Only Freedom of Information Officers have the authority to release or deny records, or to waive or reduce fees if: the records you seek include records addressed to, sent from, or created by an official or office of the Administration on Aging, including its component units, or of any AoA Regional Office. AoA FOIA Requester Service Center Administration on Aging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Washington D.C. 20201 Telephone: 202-357-3448 Fax: 202-357-3470 AoA FOIA Public Liaison Executive Secretary Administration on Aging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Washington D.C. 20201 Telephone: 202-357-3540 Fax: 202-357-3549 Administration on Aging (AoA) -- http://www.aoa.gov -- 202-619-0724 (Public Inquiries) For information on services available to elderly persons in any community in the Nation, call the Eldercare Locator, 800-677-1116.