United States Senator Maria Cantwell
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2009 Inauguration News & Information

 

Constituent Services

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Whether you need help dealing with a federal agency or want tickets to a tour in Washington, D.C., please do not hesitate to contact one of Senator Cantwell's offices or follow a link below to get help online.

  • Sales tax deduction. Last year Sen. Cantwell fought to restore the sales tax deduction for Washington taxpayers. To learn more about the deduction and whether your family can use the deduction on your federal income tax return, click here.
  • Federal agency help. If you are having problems with a federal agency, Senator Cantwell may be able to help you resolve the issue.
  • Internship program. Senator Cantwell offers an internship program for college-aged Washington state residents. To learn more and to apply for the program, click here.
  • Service academy nominations. As a member of the Senate, Senator Cantwell has the privilege of nominating talented young people for admission to our nation's military service academies. If you would like to learn more or apply for nomination by Senator Cantwell, click here.
  • Guide to Federal Biofuels Incentives - Maria is working to expand the use of locally produced biofuels through aggressive incentives.  To jump start your alternative fuel project or find an ethanol or biodiesel station near you, please see her
  • Concurrent receipt update. In November 2003, a compromise was reached on concurrent receipt for our nation's veterans. The Department of Defense began making payments for January 2004 to eligible veterans on February 2, 2004. For more details on eligibility, payment schedule, and additional armed forces contact information please click here.

  • Identity theft. Fighting identity theft, the nation's fastest-growing crime, is one of Senator Cantwell's top priorities. Washington state ranks eighth in the nation in the rate of identity theft crimes per capita. To learn how to protect your identity, what to do if you're a victim of ID theft, and what Senator Cantwell is doing on this issue, please visit a special site she has created about this issue by clicking here.
  • Operation Hero Miles. In September, the military began rotating troops stationed in the Middle East back home for much-needed R&R time with their families. Service members can fly either to Baltimore or Germany for free, but they must pay their own way from there. However, through a new program called "Operation Hero Miles," three airlines - Alaska Airlines, Delta, and Southwest - are allowing their customers to donate their frequent flyer miles to help them get home for free. A number of corporate partners have volunteered to match mileage donations. You can donate miles and learn more about this great program at its website, http://www.heromiles.org.
  • Military consumer issues. The Federal Trade Commission operates a web site, Military Sentinel, to keep military families apprised of consumer issues that specifically affect service members. You can visit the web site at http://www.consumer.gov/military/.
  • Passport information. If you have any questions about passport services, call the State Department at 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) . Customer service representatives are available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time Monday-Friday, except for federal holidays. You can also find information about passport services online, at http://travel.state.gov.
  • The National Personnel Records Center is working to make it easier for veterans with computers and Internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. To use the new web-based application, please click here. Note: Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the web site.

  • For information on Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC), the Department of Veterans Affairs new compensation program for many disabled military retirees, please click here.