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FOIA Processing Time
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Current FOIA processing time for routine FOIA requests
is 30 days and 45 days for complex FOIA requests.
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Fees
There
is no initial fee to make a FOIA request, and in many cases, no
fees are charged. However, agencies are authorized by law to recover
the direct costs of providing information to a FOIA requester. For
purposes of fees only, the FOIA divides requesters into three categories.
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commercial
use requesters; |
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news
media, educational or noncommercial scientific requesters; and
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all other requesters. |
Commercial
use requesters are charged for search time, review time and duplication
and there are no free levels of charges. News media, educational
and non- commercial scientific requesters are charged for duplication
only, with the first 100 pages provided at no charge. All other
requesters are charged for search time, with the first two hours
provided at no charge, and duplication, with the first 100 pages
provided at no charge. In all cases, if the total fee does not exceed
$25.00, HUD will not charge any fee at all. In your request letter
or online submission, you may make a specific statement limiting
the amount of fees you are willing to pay. If you do not, and the
estimated fees exceeds $25.00, you will be given the opportunity
to narrow your request in order to reduce fees or you will be asked
to express your commitment to pay the estimated amount. Ordinarily,
you will not be required to actually pay the fee until the records
have been processed and are ready to be sent to you. However, if
the fee is more than $250.00 or you have a history of failing to
pay FOIA fees in a timely manner, HUD will ask you to remit the
estimated amount and /or any past due charges before sending you
the records.
Fee Waivers
If
you expect or are advised that a fee will be charged, you may request
a waiver of those fees. However, fee waivers are limited to situations
in which a requester can show that disclosure of the requested information
is in the public entreats because it is likely to contribute significantly
to public understanding of the operations and activities of the
government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the
requester. For further information please reference the HUD
FOIA Regulations at 24 C.F.R. sec. 15.110 (2001).
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