FOIA requests should never go unanswered. However, I have seen request that takes years to process.Most agencies have a process which requires them to brief senior managment on the 10 oldest requests. The FOIA Officer must demonstrate what action is being taken to process the request.FOIA Officers have a vested interest in getting request processed because it affects their data on the Annual FOIA Report.Sometimes a request is so broad and complex, it may be placed in the complex catagory and sit there indefinitely because the agency has a serious backlog and negotiation with the requester is unsuccessful.If you have submitted a request and have not heard anything at all from the agency after 20 working days, contact the FOIA Public Liaison for the agency and the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS).