Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102

§1320a–8b Attempts to Interfere with Administration of This Chapter

Title 42 › CHAPTER 7 — SOCIAL SECURITY › SUBCHAPTER XI — GENERAL PROVISIONS, PEER REVIEW, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION › Part A — General Provisions › § 1320a–8b

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

It is illegal to use force, threats of force, or dishonest means to scare, stop, or interfere with Social Security officers, employees, contractors, state disability workers, or anyone the Commissioner names while they are doing Social Security work. A person who does this can be fined up to $5,000, jailed up to 3 years, or both. If the act is only threats, the maximum is $3,000 and 1 year in jail. “Threats of force” means threats to hurt the worker, contractor, or a member of their family.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §1320a–8b

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Whoever corruptly or by force or threats of force (including any threatening letter or communication) attempts to intimidate or impede any officer, employee, or contractor of the Social Security Administration (including any State employee of a disability determination service or any other individual designated by the Commissioner of Social Security) acting in an official capacity to carry out a duty under this chapter, or in any other way corruptly or by force or threats of force (including any threatening letter or communication) obstructs or impedes, or attempts to obstruct or impede, the due administration of this chapter, shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned not more than 3 years, or both, except that if the offense is committed only by threats of force, the person shall be fined not more than $3,000, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. In this subsection, the term “threats of force” means threats of harm to the officer or employee of the United States or to a contractor of the Social Security Administration, or to a member of the family of such an officer or employee or contractor.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 1320a–8b

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102