Problem solving

From the time I came to Congress, Idahoans have been asking for help with problems they're having with the U.S. Government and its agencies. And they've been getting that help.

Increasingly, citizens are helping themselves as well by accessing the tools and resources many agencies provide online. In using these online tools, which are geared more toward customer service than bureaucracy, "we the people" are learning that our government really can serve us, and serve us well. Unfortunately, there are still issues which many are simply unable to solve without assistance. In these cases, I may be able to provide the help needed to bring the matter to a satisfactory close.

The specialists on my staff are trained, competent, dedicated and authorized to act in my name in dealing with federal agencies. Often, the fastest help I can provide you will come from them. In order to hasten the process, please have in hand all information and copies of any related documents when you speak to them. If your signature is required to release your file from the appropriate agency, please download and print a Privacy Release Form, or stop by my nearest regional office to complete the form in person.

Deliver timely, high quality constituent service.

While I am interested in the welfare of all our citizens, my primary responsibility to serve Idahoans makes their requests for assistance my priority.
My colleagues in the Senate have similar priorities. If you are not an Idahoan, and you need help with a federal agency, I hope you will give your Senators the opportunity to serve you.

[Mission & Goals Statement]

Federal Resource Guides

I requested several of the Guides provided here from the Congressional Research Service so that Idahoans could have access to accurate and current information about federal online resources. CRS is a division of the Library of Congress that conducts nonpartisan research exclusively for the use of Senators, Representatives, and their staffs.

Federal Resources for Rural Communities

A brief guide to over $10 billion in potential funding targeted to rural areas, through grants and loans.

Grants and Federal Domestic Assistance

Offers guidance and Internet resources on Federal grants and nonfinancial assistance, as well as on private foundation funding. A slide show provides tips, reviews key funding sources, and demonstrates how a typical grants request is submitted.

en español: Subvenciones y Ayuda Federal de Ámbito Nacional

Financial Aid for Students

Links and helpful hints to assist students in all stages of the financial aid process, from locating and applying for various types of assistance, to repaying student loans.

Business Opportunities with the Federal Government

Information for those interested in government contracts. Links to information on military contracting, as well as various subcontracting opportunities are featured.

Federal Agency Online Resources and Services

Most federal agencies which offer services to citizens maintain websites with current information. Many offer an option to fulfill requests online, or provide numbers and addresses to contact an appropriate department or person. If these online services do not sufficiently meet your needs, please contact me or visit your nearest regional office in Idaho for assistance.

Assistance and Benefits

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA): The General Services Administration catalog of federal programs providing assistance or benefits to the public.
Disaster Assistance: Readiness, Response, and Recovery: Information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
GovBenefits: This single source for locating benefits under government assistance programs, created by a partnership of federal agencies, lets the user search by keyword, locate benefits by federal and some state agencies, browse by assistance category, or get results with a questionnaire. Available in Spanish.
Medicare Consumer Information: Frequently requested consumer information on Medicare from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA). For local phone contact information, see CMS's Helpful Contacts page.
Social Security: Frequently Asked Questions: From the Social Security Administration's Web site, which also offers Social Security Benefit Information Publications in full text and Top 10 Most Requested Services.
Veterans Affairs Department, Services for Veterans: The Department of Veterans Affairs Web site, with information on veterans' benefits and related issues.
Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, the handbook on veterans' benefits programs, is available in PDF format.

Consumer and Business Information

Consumer Action Website: General buying tips and a Consumer Assistance Directory with contact information for numerous national, state, and local agencies and organizations (from the General Services Administration).
Consumer.gov: One-stop access to consumer information and assistance from the federal government, coordinated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Covers product recalls, fraudulent practices, and buying tips.
Federal Consumer Information Center pamphlets on federal programs: Covering such topics as government surplus property, veterans' benefits, Medicare, and Social Security (from GSA's Consumer Information Center Web site).
FedForms.gov: Provides access to PDF images of forms needed for the top 500 government services used by the public; search by agency or keyword.
Small Business Administration: Provides links to SBA information on starting, financing, and locating sources of assistance for small businesses.
USA JOBS and America's Job Bank: "USA JOBS" is the federal government's official site for federal jobs and employment information (from the Office of Personnel Management).
"America's Job Bank" is a partnership between the Labor Department and state-operated Employment Services offices to nationally publicize job openings. Most openings are in the private sector.

General Information

Los Sítios Web Federales en Español: Enlaces en Español para La White House y otros departamentos y agéncias federales (from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries).
Federal Depository Libraries: Locate federal depository libraries by state, area code and congressional district (from the Government Printing Office Access page). Federal depository libraries provide free public access to a variety of federal government printed and electronic publications.
State Department Travel Advisories: Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets (from the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs Website).
GovLoans.gov: Single access point for popular federal loan programs with links to further resources. Choices include agriculture, small business, disaster relief, education, housing, and veterans.
Citizenship & Immigration Services: "How Do I ...?": Answers to questions, such as "How do I get a work permit?" and "How do I bring an orphan to the U.S. to live?"
Regulations.gov: U.S. government Web site that allows members of the public, searching by keyword or government agency, to find, review, and submit comments on federal regulatory documents that are open for comment and published in the Federal Register.
Student Guide: Comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. Grants, loans, and work-study are the three major forms of student financial aid available through the Department's Student Financial Assistance office.
Tax Information for Individuals: Where to file, local phone numbers for assistance, and answers to frequently asked questions from the Internal Revenue Service Web site.
The IRS Web site also provides copies of tax forms.

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