SERVING YOU, THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA
One of my most important responsibilities as a United States Senator from Minnesota is to assist individual constituents in need of a helping hand. Whether its expediting an international adoption, helping a Minnesota service man or woman abroad link up with loved ones at home, assisting a senior locate a lost Social Security check or coming to the aid of Minnesotans that encounter trouble while traveling abroad, my staff and I will do all we can to help.
I’m proud that since I took office in 2003, my staff and I have come to the aid of nearly 12,000 constituents with their individual needs. We’ve also helped expedite over 250 international adoptions. Over the past two years, we’ve worked with the State Department, the Department of Children’s Issues, presidents, the FBI, and other agencies to help hundreds of Minnesota families cut through bureaucratic red-tape to connect with children from all over the world.
I am determined not only to help as many Minnesotans as we possibly can, but am also committed to making sure that my constituents are more than pleased with the quality of service they receive from us. It is truly a privilege to be able to serve the people I work for, the people of Minnesota, in this special and meaningful way. If you are in need of assistance in anyway, please do not hesitate to contact any one of my offices. Together, we can work with the agency to review and, hopefully, resolve the matter.
FAQ’s: Frequently Asked Questions
If you have been unable to resolve an issue with a federal agency, contact me by telephone, mail or my website via the contact form below. Once I have received a written explanation of your problem, a Privacy Release Form may be mailed to you. My staff will then review your correspondence and contact the appropriate federal agency on your behalf. The average agency response to a congressional inquiry is thirty days.
From time to time I receive inquires on problems relating to a state issue. As a federal legislator, I have no authority to intervene in matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the State of Minnesota. Examples of State of Minnesota issues are child support, food stamps and insurance regulation. For your convenience, here is a link to the State of Minnesota website: http://www.state.mn.us.
Social Security: I have applied for social security disability benefits, but it is taking a long time to receive a hearing date.
Currently, the average wait time for a hearing is 18 months. Unfortunately, our office is unable to reduce this wait time or expedite cases. The SSA will be instituting a new disability determination process in order to serve constituents better. Details on this new process can be found on the following website:
http://www.ssa.gov/disability-new-approach
Social Security: I submitted a claim for disability benefits a while ago, but I haven’t received a response from the SSA in months
Senator Coleman can make an inquiry on your behalf with the Social Security Administration about the status of the claim. Please keep in mind that the Social Security Administration makes the final decision on whether or not a claim will be approved under the established guidelines.
Medicare: My claim for a specific medication or doctor’s visit was denied by Medicare. Can this be looked into?
Senator Coleman can contact CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and inquire why the claim was denied. If you have additional questions concerning the Medicare process, what your plan covers or general information, answers can be found on www.medicare.gov website.
Veterans Affairs: How can Senator Coleman help with speeding up my disability claim or appeal with the Veterans Administration?
The Office of Senator Coleman can contact the Veterans Administration (VA) and obtain the status of your claim, and can answer questions regarding the claims and appeal process. However, under established rules and regulations, Senator Coleman cannot compel the VA to process your application ahead of those who filed before you. In the event of a genuine emergency, with proper authorization and documentation detailing the emergency, Senator Coleman can relay your request.
Veterans Affairs: My claim/appeal is pending with the VA. What can Senator Coleman do to help guarantee a favorable decision?
The Veterans Administration has an established process for adjudication of claims, and Senator Coleman can obtain the status of your claim, and can answer questions you may have regarding the processing. Although we cannot make the decision on behalf of the agency, or overturn an unfavorable decision, our staff will gladly assist you in understanding the agency’s process.
Veterans Affairs: Can Senator Coleman help me get my family members military records?
Absolutely! Senator Coleman can contact the National Personnel Records Center and request documentation. Under the law, there are established next-of-kin rules regarding obtaining records for deceased veterans, beginning with un-remarried widows, followed by children, then parents, then siblings. The closest next-of-kin should contact our office with the request for documentation and necessary authorization, and Senator Coleman will gladly make the request on their behalf.
Veterans Affairs: Can Senator Coleman help me replace my military awards?
With the necessary authorization and documentation, Senator Coleman can obtain any replacement military medals issued by the United States Government.
Passports: I plan to travel to a foreign country. What do I need to do?
Confirm that your passport is valid, see http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. You can also review the US Department of State Consular Information Sheets for the country of travel at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html. If you are traveling to a country with travel warning, register at the US Embassy. More information regarding this can be found on the US Department of State website at www.travel.state.gov If you have further questions, contact Senator Coleman’s state office.
Visas: My relative was denied a visa to come to visit in the United States. I don’t know why the visa was denied.
Senator Coleman can inquire at the U.S. Embassy to see why the visa was denied. Immigration law delegates the responsibility for the issuance or refusal of visas to consular officers overseas. While the Consular Section provided the interviewer with a letter that explained the grounds under which they were found ineligible for a visa, most visa denials are made under 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. That section of law presumes all applicants to be intending immigrants until they establish their eligibility for a specific nonimmigrant visa category. To qualify for a nonimmigrant visa, applicants must demonstrate compelling social, economic or family ties outside of the United States. More information regarding non immigrant visas can be found on http://www.state.gov/
Immigration: My husband’s immigration petition or adjustment of status is in name check. What does this mean and can Senator Coleman expedite?
Immigration petitions such as asylum, adjustment of status to legal permanent resident, naturalization, and waivers undergo a name check review as part of their processing. Although the name check process cannot be expedited, Senator Coleman can check on the status of the petition and with the FBI. For more information on the national name check program, please see http://www.fbi.gov/hq/nationalnamecheck.htm
Immigration: I am being deported, and I am going before an immigration judge soon. What can the Senator do to help me?
Norm Coleman
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