One of the most important things I do as a U.S. Representative is help people with federal problems. Although I cannot override the decisions made by a federal agency, I can often intervene on a person's behalf to answer questions, find solutions, or just cut through the red tape.
Click here to learn more about the casework process and what information is requried .
Below you will find a list of agencies that I can help you with. However, regardless of which agency you need help with, I need a completed Privacy Authorization Form to comply with the provisions of the Privacy Act.
You can find that form here.
- Social Security: Retirement and Disability Benefits
- Medicare
- Passports
- Immigration
- Veterans
- Taxes/IRS
- State Department/Visas/Visiting a Foreign Country
- Postal Service
- Active Duty Military
- Federal Communications Commission
- Public Housing Programs
- Student Aid Programs
USA.gov has compiled a list of commonly requested citizen services.
The Casework Process
If my office is in a position to help you, your request will be processed and a letter will be sent out. This letter will acknowledge that we have recieved your request and ask you for more detailed information about your situation. Please see the following suggestions in requesting congressional assistance with a federal casework matter:
• Clear Concise Letters [typed if possible] or e-mails (Explain problem and suggested resolution – identify federal agency involved)
• Also include contact information: Full Name, Address, Telephone, e-mail address, and identifying numbers, SSA Number, Service Number, Alien Registration #, USCIS receipt number, IRS Employer ID No., etc. You can print out a Privacy Act Form here, which is also required.
• Sign Letters. Due to Privacy Act Requirement, all letters must be signed.
• Provide supporting documents such as most recent correspondence from the agency.
• Allow staff reasonable time to work case (six to eight weeks or longer depending on case inquiry and/or agency backlog, each agency is different. More complicated cases such as immigration, veteran affairs, Social Security and military may take much longer).
• Please keep calls to a minimum for a status check unless there is a new development that the staff should be alerted to or you have not heard from the office in 4 to 6 weeks.
• Due to the privacy law, the Congressional Office can only speak to the constituent directly involved in the case. [No well meaning calls from relatives or friends, please]
• If you receive information from an agency directly that resolves the matter, please inform the congressional office in order that the case may be closed in our records.
• Legislative initiatives and remedies that result from casework can take many months and sometimes years.
• Please note that Congressional Offices assist constituents with federal issues and we must refer you to appropriate state legislators on state matters or state legislation. In addition, we can only provide casework assistance to constituents who call the 1st District home.
If you want to find out about the Representative's position on a pending or enacted law, please send your written request to the Washington office.
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