§ 31.4 Request to inspect and copy documents relating to a debt.

(a) The Secretary makes available for inspection and copying before offset under this part those Department documents that relate to the debt, if the employee—

(1) Files a written request to inspect and copy the documents within 20 days of the date of the pre-offset notice under § 31.3, and

(2) Files the request at the address specified in that notice.

(b) A request filed under paragraph (a)(1) of this section must contain—

(1) All information provided to the employee in the pre-offset notice under § 31.3 that identifies the employee and the debt, including the employee's Social Security number and the program under which the debt arose, together with any corrections of that identifying information; and

(2) A reasonably specific identification of the documents that the employee wishes to have available for inspection and copying.

(c) The Secretary makes available documents for inspection and copying upon request by the employee. However, the Secretary may initiate an offset before making the requested documents available if the employee fails to request inspection and copying in accordance with this section.