One of my most important duties as a U.S. Representative is to help constituents with federal problems. I often receive requests from constituents that involve a federal agency. I am happy to have a Constituent Services Representative in one of my district offices assist you with a problem related to any Executive Department, independent Federal Agency, or Federal Board, Commission, or Committee.

Although I cannot reconsider decisions made by a federal agency or assist in expediting the processing of particular petitions or applications, I can often intervene on a person's behalf to answer questions and find solutions. My district staff specializes in assisting constituents with a wide variety of issues. They may be able to assist you over the phone by directing you to the appropriate office, providing necessary instructions, phone numbers, or materials, and/or finding out the status of an application or petition. If your situation requires, the caseworker may initiate a Congressional Inquiry on behalf of a constituent in the form of a phone call or a letter from my office to the appropriate agency official.

While a caseworker is available to obtain information regarding the status of a constituent’s application or claim, my office does not have the authority to expedite a request or to move one person’s application ahead of others who are also waiting. However, if an emergency situation develops, a caseworker will communicate the circumstances to the agency and request that the agency take appropriate action.

Additionally, decisions rendered by a federal agency are not subject to reconsideration by a Congressional office. A member of my staff is happy to assist constituents by forwarding information to the appropriate sources for consideration during the adjudication process; however, my office does not have the authority to instruct a federal agency to approve or deny an application.

Below you will find a few of the many federal agencies that I can help you with. However, regardless of which agency you need help with, to open a case please follow the steps listed below to help us assist you more efficiently:

1) Complete the Constituent Authorization Form: In compliance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, I will need your written permission before I can contact any agency on your behalf.

Note: In order to view, print, or fill out our forms, you should use the latest version of Acrobat Reader (version 5 or later). Acrobat Reader can be downloaded free from the Adobe Corporation.

2) Gather all necessary supporting documents: Locate all necessary documents that support your case and make copies of them for my office. These may include letters from the agency, applicable case numbers, and other forms relating to your problem.

3) Send, fax or drop off all documents to

Congresswoman Thelma Drake
Hampton Roads Office
4772 Euclid Rd., Suite E
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

(P): 757-497-6859
(F): 757-497-5474

Which agency do you need help with?

Department of Labor

Department of Veterans Affairs

Immigration

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Medicare

Military Issues

Social Security Administration