Constituent Services

As a Member of Congress, one of my most important responsibilities is to help my constituents interact with the many agencies and offices of the federal government. Although my staff cannot force an agency to expedite your case or act in your favor, my office can frequently intervene to facilitate the processes involved, encourage an agency to give your case consideration, and sometimes advocate for a favorable outcome.

NOTE: The rules of the House do not allow me to intervene in or influence the outcome of cases that are under the jurisdiction of any court or under the jurisdiction of local or state governments.

Some of the government agencies and programs my staff can help with include:

Casework Stories

Click here to read stories from Southern Minnesotans about how Congressman Walz helped them.

Academy Nominations

Each year, I nominate qualified students for admission to our nation’s military academies. The process is merit-based, and you must reside in Minnesota’s1^st District. Please contact my Rochester office for more information or complete the webform and someone will contact you.

Assistance with the IRS

If you are having difficulty dealing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), my Rochester office can contact the IRS on your behalf and direct you to tax experts and information.

Can Congressman Walz’s office find out when I will receive my tax refund?

To check the status of your Federal tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service, visit the IRS website at www.IRS.gov.

If status information is not available, or you did not receive your refund in the time listed on the IRS website, my office can contact the IRS on your behalf. Please fill out a Privacy Act Release form and send it to my Rochester office.

For information on your Minnesota state tax refund from the Minnesota Department of Revenue, visit www.taxes.state.mn.us. Because this is a Minnesota state agency and not a federal agency, you will need to contact your state elected officials for additional assistance.

How do I locate IRS forms and find e-filing information?

IRS forms and publications and links to e-filing resources are available at www.IRS.gov.

I am having a problem with the IRS that I have been unable to resolve on my own. Can Congressman Walz’s office contact the IRS for me?

If you are having a problem with the IRS and have been unable to resolve it on your own through normal channels, my office can contact the IRS on your behalf. My staff works with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an IRS program that provides an independent system to assure that tax problems are promptly and fairly handled.

For IRS assistance, please fill out a Privacy Act Release form and send it to my Minnesota office. Please include copies of any important documentation or recent IRS notices that might help us to more accurately understand your problem.

Please be aware that my office is unable to get involved in legal disputes with the IRS.

Education

Information about U.S. Department of Education Programs

http://www.edlgov/programs/gtep/index.html?src=fp

Student Aid on the Web

http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/

How do I apply for student loans for college?

You can apply for a Federal Student Aid PIN (Personal Identification Number), fill out a FAFSA, and apply for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education online at http://studentaid.ed.gov.

If you have questions regarding loan options or the application process, contact your school’s financial aid office directly.

I am unable to repay my student loans because I am disabled and on a limited income. Can Congressman Walz’s office help me?

The U.S. Department of Education offers resources for individuals who are unable to repay their student loans. Information is available at http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/repaying.jsp.

In some very limited circumstances, the U.S. Department of Education will allow a discharge of your student loans. For information on how to apply for a discharge of your student loans, please visit the link above, or contact my office.

Federal Grants

My Rochester office can help locate federal grants for which you or your organization may be eligible to apply. Please contact my Rochester office for assistance with federal grants.

Where to Look for Grants

Often times, the best place to begin a grant search is with the agency which administers the area you are seeking funding for. Those agencies frequently have details of various federal programs on their web sites. For example:

Key Federal Funding Sources

Grants.gov (via Dept. of Health and Human Services)

This federal grants Web site allows organizations to electronically find and apply for current competitive grant opportunities from ALL Federal agencies. Grant seekers can check on notices of funding availability posted in the last 7 days; sign up to receive e-mail notification of future grant opportunities; and apply for Federal grants online through a unified process. For full Federal program descriptions, see CFDA below.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (General Services Administration)

The Catalog (CFDA), issued annually and updated continuously on the Web, describes some 1600 Federal grants and non-financial assistance programs. Grantseekers can identify programs that might support their projects and can learn the program's objectives, requirements, application procedures and contacts. For current notices of funding availability, see Grants.gov.

Catalog Indexes and Listings (GSA)
Although keyword searching is often a good place to start, also browse by broad subject (Functional Area), by Federal Department or Agency, or by Beneficiary to identify more Federal funding programs. CFDA program descriptions refer to local and regional Federal office addresses, to related programs, and to Office of Management and Budget circulars, all available full text on the Internet.
Developing and Writing Grant Proposals (CFDA)
Guidance in formulating Federal grant applications, including initial proposal development, basic components of a proposal, review recommendations, and referral to Federal guidelines and literature.
Federal Regional or Local Office Addresses (CFDA Appendix IV; by Agency or by State)
Much of the Federal grants budget moves to the States through formula and block grants — State, regional, and local Federal offices often handle grants applications and funds disbursement. If the CFDA program description refers to a State or regional Information Contact as listed in Appendix IV, grantseekers should contact them before applying for funding to obtain the most up-to-date information.

State 'Single Points of Contact' (Office of Management and Budget)

Under Executive Order 12372, some States require Federal grants applicants to submit a copy of their application for State government level review and comment. The State offices listed here coordinate government (both Federal and State) grants development and may provide guidance to grant seekers. For help in identifying State-level grants, other State government agencies websites include: State and Local Agencies by Topic, State Governments Information and National Association of State Development Agencies.

CFDA in Print (Government Printing Office)

Although the Catalog is available full-text on the Internet, some may prefer a print edition. However, only the Web Catalog is continuously updated— the published volume is annual with no supplements.

The Catalog is available in all States in Federal Depository Libraries.
Order the published Catalog from the Government Printing Office (search "Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance" or "CFDA" for cost and availability).

Find funding programs and learn how to write grant proposals:

Search or browse the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) by Keyword and other indexes for grants, loans, business and non-financial help.
Contact Federal office given in CFDA program description: if indicated, use CFDA Appendix IV: Federal Agency or Local Office Addresses (by Agency or by State).
Search Federal websites given in each CFDA program description for more information and for State Administering Agencies responsible for managing these programs.
Check current Federal grants opportunities at Grants.gov, sign up for email notification, and apply online.
Search also foundations for project funding: use the Foundation Center website or Foundation Center book collections in libraries to identify national, State, and community foundations.

Learn how to write grant proposals:

Follow CFDA's Developing and Writing Grant Proposals, or take the Foundation Center Proposal Writing Short Course.

Flag Requests

My D.C. office can provide for an American flag to be flown over the U.S. Capitol for my constituents. Each flag comes with a certificate of authenticity with the date it was flown over the Capitol and the person or group for whom it was flown. Please complete the form below or contact my Washington D.C. office for more information.

Flag Request Form

Housing

The federal government provides three main forms of housing assistance:

Assistance for homeowners/homebuyers

Director assistance for low-income renters

Grants to state and localities

For information about all federal housing programs, go to http://www.hud.gov

Where can I find Housing counseling agencies?

You can find low-cost or free counseling on rental assistance, foreclosure prevention, debt management, buying a home, etc. at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?weblistaction=summary

I am facing foreclosure on my home because of predatory lending. Where can I get assistance?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved agencies throughout Minnesota to provide housing and financial counseling to individuals and families. You can find a list of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=MN.

I have a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and I am having trouble with my landlord or property management company. How can Congressman Walz’s office help me?

My office has a designated liaison at the Minneapolis HUD field office that will help constituents resolve issues with their landlords or management companies. Additionally, my office can help you resolve a problem you are having if you live in public housing.

Please fill out a Privacy Act Release form and send it to my Rochester office and make sure to include your full name, property location and name, and the name of your housing authority or agency.

Identity Theft

I have been a victim of identity theft, what should I do?

The Federal Trade Commission has extensive information on how to avoid identity theft, and what to do if you believe your identity has been stolen. Please visit http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/index.cfm for more detailed information.

If you have errors on your credit report as a result of identity theft, or you are having difficulties resolving an issue with one of the credit reporting agencies, (Trans Union, Equifax, or Experian) my office can help you get in direct contact with representatives at the credit reporting agencies.

Immigration

Can Congressman Walz’s office help to expedite my application to become a United States citizen?

The USCIS processes millions of naturalization applications each year. As part of the process, your application must undergo a security clearance. The FBI states that the majority of name checks clear electronically within 48-72 hours. The remaining applications must undergo a manual search which can take an extended period of time. The FBI has informed my office that expedite requests for name checks can only be made by the FBI’s customer agencies and that if my office contacts the FBI, it will only further tie up vital resources. Therefore, my office is not able to contact the FBI regarding your name check. To view more information about the FBI security check process, please visit the FBI’s FAQ website at http://www.fbi.gov/page2/nationalnamecheck.htm.

I have filed an application for an immigration benefit but have not received any information. Can Congressman Walz’s office assist me?

If you have a pending claim with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, my office can check on the status of your case. If the receipt date on your application is not current, the USCIS is unable to process your case ahead of other cases. To obtain a list of processing dates, please visit the USCIS website at https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/ptimes.jsp;jsessionid=bKknV3FKbHOg.

For general information about immigration issues, visit the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website at http://www.uscis.gov.

My relative or friend was denied a visa to travel to the United States. Can Congressman Walz’s office help my relative or friend to obtain a visa?

Applicants for visitor visas must prove that they have a residence outside the United States which they have no intention of abandoning. Cases which do not unequivocally establish the applicant's intention to return to their home country are routinely denied and are extremely difficult to overcome in later applications.

Unfortunately, there is no appeal process for denials of visitor visa applications. If your relative or friend plans to reapply for a visa and can demonstrate evidence of strong ties to his or her homeland, my office can send a letter to the Embassy or Consulate requesting due consideration of the application.

What do I need to do in order to meet the requirements for travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda?

Go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.cfm and follow the instructions to print out your passport status page. Upon exiting and re-entering the U.S., present this page along with government-issued photo identification (i.e. driver’s license).

Make sure to find out what the entry requirements are for the country you are visiting. In some cases, you may need to contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting. Travel information is available at http://travel.state.gov.

I am a U.S. Citizen traveling to Mexico, Canada, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region by air and I have NOT APPLIED for a passport yet, or, I have not applied to renew my expired passport. What should I do?

You will need to apply for a passport or renewed passport and wait for your application to show up in the in Department of State’s online tracking system. Please be aware that it can take up to 10 business days for your passport application status to be available online.

To apply for a passport for the first time, you will need to go to a passport acceptance facility (i.e. government center), fill out the application for a passport and present acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship and passport photos. If you are renewing your passport, you can apply in person or by mail. Detailed information about requirements, locations, and instructions is available on the Department of State’s passport website at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.cfm.

If you applied more than 10 business days ago and your passport status is not available online at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.cfm contact my Minnesota office by phone at (507) 206-0643 for assistance.

I am a U.S. citizen traveling to somewhere other than Mexico, Canada, or the Bermuda and Caribbean regions. Do I need a passport, and if so, what should I do?

You still need a passport to exit and re-enter the U.S. when traveling to any county other than those listed above.

If you have not received your passport and you are traveling to any country other than:

Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, contact my Minnesota office by phone at 507-206-0643 for assistance.

For the complete text of this Department of State announcement and detailed information on requirements, please visit the Department of State website at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2007/jun/86206.htm.

How long does it currently take to get a passport?

According to the Department of State, passport applications (first time applications and renewals) are taking 10 to 12 weeks, and expedited applications and renewals are taking approximately 3 weeks.

How can Congressman Walz’s office assist me with my passport?

Despite the recent change in regulations, passport applications are still taking much longer than the normal processing times. Staff in my Rochester office is working to help Minnesotans get through this passport crisis.

If you depart within two weeks and you are not traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, or you applied for a passport more than 10 business days ago and your application status is not available, my office can help.

Before contacting my office, please go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.cfm to check on the current status of your application and get your locator number, then, contact my Rochester office by phone at (507) 206-0643 for further assistance.

Inauguration 2009

http://walz.house.gov/inauguration.shtm

Internship Opportunties

Internships are available for energetic and hardworking college students who are interested in working in my Mankato, Rochester and Washington, D.C. offices. For more information, please contact the office in which you wish to intern. To be considered for an internship you must complete this application.

Medicare

Contact my Rochester office about problems accessing or receiving your benefits, or resolving coverage and reimbursement disputes.

My Medicare claim was denied. Can Congressman Walz’s office help with this?

If you have submitted a claim to CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), my office can contact Medicare to inquire about the reason for the denial and whether any options are available.

If you are having a problem with your Medicare Part D provider, my office can contact your provider on your behalf. In addition to our regular Privacy Act Release, please complete a HIPPA-compliant release. This allows your Medicare Part D provider to discuss your situation with my office.

Small Business

Can Congressman Walz assist me in getting funding to start a small business?

The U.S. Small Business Administration assists Americans to start, build and grow businesses. The SBA provides a variety of financial assistance programs for existing small businesses and loan programs for people interested in starting a new business. To find more information about assistance for small businesses, visit the SBA’s website at http://www.sba.gov/index.cfm.

Social Security Administration

My Rochester office may be able to help you resolve problems with existing claims and benefits (including lost or delayed checks.)

Where is my local social security office?

The Social Security Administration has field offices throughout Minnesota. In order to locate the office closest to you, visit the “local office search” page on the SSA website at https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp.

How do I apply for social security disability benefits?

You can apply for social security disability benefits online on the social security website. You can also get assistance with your application over the phone or in person by visiting your local office.

More information about applying for social security disability benefits is available at http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/.

I have been waiting for several months for a Social Security Disability hearing. Can Congressman Walz’s office check on the status of my case?

My office can contact the social security Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) and request that your case be marked “congressional interest.” ODAR will then send an update on your case to my office each month. To have your case marked as “congressional interest,” please fill out our Privacy Act Release form and send it to my Minnesota office.

Can Congressman Walz’s office expedite my hearing date for my application for social security disability benefits?

The average wait time for a hearing is 18 to 21 months. Unfortunately, our office is unable to reduce the wait time. In certain, limited instances, the Social Security office will expedite case processing. In order for a case to be expedited, you must meet one of the following conditions: lack of food, inability to afford prescriptions or receive adequate medical care, lack of health insurance, imminent eviction, or homelessness.

For general information about social security issues, visit the Social Security Administration’s website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/.

I submitted a claim for social security disability benefits but I have not received any information. Can Congressman Walz’ office check on my claim?

If you have submitted a claim for disability benefits and have not received a response from the Social Security Administration, my office can make an inquiry to check on the status of your claim. Please be aware that the Social Security Administration makes final decisions regarding whether a claim can be approved under their pre-established guidelines.

Veterans’ Affairs

I am committed to our veterans. If you are a veteran encountering issues with your military benefits, an existing VA claim, awards and commendations earned but not received, or other service or separation related issues, my Rochester staff may be able to help you.

For general information about veteran’s issues, visit the Department of Veteran’s Affairs website at http://www.va.gov.

To request a copy of your military records, you should fill out the form SF-180. This form can be downloaded by clicking here. If you have completed the SF-180 and have not received a timely response, our office can check on the status of your request.

GI Bill Information

Washington Tours

My D.C. office would be happy to arrange tours of the U.S. Capitol, Library of Congress, and Supreme Court. We can also provide you with gallery passes so you can watch the House floor when Congress is in session. Please contact us by phone or complete the online request form here