Preparing Your Information

Once you have determined that your problem is one that my staff and I can help you with, you should follow the steps listed below to gather necessary information and material before you contact one of my offices. This will help my staff assist you more efficiently.

1. Complete a Privacy Release Form

Because of the Right to Privacy Act, you will need to complete a privacy release form giving permission for my staff to look into the matter on your behalf. If you have a military casework issue you will need to follow the directions on the military casework page and fill out a Military Privacy Release Form.

2. Gather necessary paperwork

You must provide my staff with any paperwork you have regarding your case. This might include letters from the agency, medical forms, and other forms and documents relating to your issue.

Cases involving the agencies listed below require additional information. My staff will need this information before they can make inquiries on your behalf:

• Internal Revenue Service Cases: The IRS uses its own authorization form which you must complete before they will respond to an inquiry. You can either print this form here or request one from one of my state offices.
  
  
• Office of Personnel Management Cases: The OPM uses your CSA or CSF number as well as your Social Security number and, for some cases, your date of birth is helpful. To report the death of an annuitant and to apply for survivor benefits, you will need the death certificate.
  
  
• Social Security Cases: You need to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits before you contact my office. Once you have applied, my staff will need to have information on the office where you filed your claim or appeal and where you are in the process.
  
  
• Immigration Cases: You need to file your petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) and have a copy of your receipt notification before my office can initiate an inquiry with the CIS.
  
  
• Passport Inquiries: Such requests require a tracking number or Social Security number and date of birth.
  
  
• Visitor Visas: Such requests require the beneficiary's full name, passport number and the embassy involved.

When applying for SSD benefits, you should be prepared to go through several steps.

• Veterans Affairs Cases: Your case number would be helpful along with your social security number.


• Workers' Comp Cases: Your case number along with your social security number will help us track your case.