Frequently Asked Questions
You can always contact one of my district offices for assistance with a federal agency; however, you may be able to resolve concerns on your own with the answers to several of the most frequently asked questions on the following topics:
General
How can I request a tour of the U.S. Capitol Building?
How can I request a tour of the White House?
How can I order a flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol?
How do I apply for an internship in your office?
How do I find out what grant money is available for my organization?
Where can I access the privacy release form?
On The Issues
How can I find out how you voted on specific legislation?
How do you feel on the issues that I am concerned about?
How can I tell what is currently happening on the House floor?
Social Security
Do I qualify for Social Security?
How do I apply for Social Security benefits?
What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
I have other questions about Social Security.
I am having a problem with my personal Social Security. Who can I contact?
Veterans' Affairs
Am I eligible for veterans benefits? How do I apply?
How can I contact the Department of Veteran Affairs?
I do not understand how VA claims and compensation work.
I am not happy with a decision the VA made regarding my benefits. How may I appeal?
Medicare
What is Medicare and how can I find out if I am eligible?
How can I find a participating physician that fits my needs?
How can your office help with HMOs and prescription drugs?
I have other questions about Medicare -- where can I find additional answers?
Taxes
I need assistance filling out my tax returns. Can your office help me?
What should I do if I need help dealing with back taxes?
I have other questions about Taxes or the Internal Revenue Service -- where can I find additional answers?
Staying In Touch
How do I request a meeting with you?
How can I invite you to speak at my school or an event my organization is hosting?
How can I sign up for the e-newsletter?
I contacted you, but haven't received a response. What's going on?
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General
How can I request a tour of the U.S. Capitol Building?
Guided tours of the Capitol are available Monday-Saturday from 8:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tours are free, but tour passes are required. Tours may be booked in advance online at www.visitthecapitol.gov, or through my Washington office. To reserve a tour through my office, click here.
How can I request a tour of the White House?
Due to increased security procedures enacted since September 11th, it is very difficult to get tickets to tour the White House and slots are extremely limited. Tour requests should be made up to six months in advance and requests are considered on a first come first serve basis. Tours are available Tuesdays-Saturdays, and the White House makes the final decision about who will receive a tour. To request a tour, please click here.
How can I order a flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol?
Residents of the 6th District may purchase a flag from my office. For an additional fee, you have the option of requesting your flags be flown over the United States Capitol on a specific date and receiving an accompanying Certificate from the Architect of the Capitol. Click here to get started.
How do I apply for an internship in your office?
Congressional internships provide individuals with valuable hands-on experience working closely with staff in a wide-range of areas including press, correspondence and legislative policy. Please click here to learn more about internship requirements and obtain an application.
How do I find out what grant money is available for my organization?
Each year billions of dollars are distributed in federal grant and loan money to institutions and organizations throughout the country. The 6th Congressional District's outstanding universities and colleges, non-profit organizations, and local governments are well-qualified to compete for these funds. Please click here to learn about federal grants and how my staff and I can help you.
Where can I access the privacy release form?
Click here for the Privacy Release Form.
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On the Issues
How can I find out how you voted on specific legislation?
The Library of Congress provides access to how each member of Congress voted on a particular motion or bill in the U.S. House. These are called "roll call votes."
How do you feel about the issues I am concerned about?
Click here to go to the Issues section of my website. If one of the issues you are concerned about is not listed, click here to contact me and find out my position.
How can I tell what is currently happening on the House floor?
Activities on the House Floor are updated on-line throughout the legislative day. To view the current floor schedule, click here. To find out more about how Congress works and what a Member does, visit my Understanding Congress page.
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Social Security
Do I qualify for Social Security?
Many Americans are unaware that they qualify for Social Security. Use the Social Security Administration's Screening Tool to check if you do.
How do I apply for Social Security benefits?
To apply for benefits, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. You can ask them to send you the correct forms, and they can answer questions you may have. In order to qualify for disability benefits, you must be unable to perform work of any kind and your disability must be expected to last at least one year. If you are having trouble dealing with the Social Security Administration, please contact my office for assistance.
What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
Supplemental Security Income is an income assistance program offered by the Social Security Administration for senior citizens, the blind, or the disabled who have a net worth less than $2,000. To apply for benefits or to ask questions, contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. Due to the large volume of applications, the Social Security Administration requires time to process your request. You can generally expect an answer on your eligibility for SSI within two to six months.
I am having a problem with my personal Social Security. Who can I contact?
If you are having trouble dealing with the Social Security Administration, please contact your local district office and my staff will try to help.
I have other questions about Social Security -- where can I find additional answers?
You may look for an answer on the Social Security Administration’s Answers to Your Questions webpage.
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Veterans’ Affairs
Am I eligible for veterans benefits? How do I apply?
You may be eligible for compensation, disability, pension, or vocational rehabilitation benefits if you are a U.S. military veteran, have over two years of active duty service, are a member of the Selected Reserve, or are a spouse/dependent of a "service connected" deceased or disabled veteran. If you meet any of these requirements, you can determine eligibility and apply to receive benefits online using VONAPP through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
How can I contact the Department of Veteran Affairs?
You can visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website, or call 1-800-827-1000 for all benefits-related inquiries.
I am not happy with a decision the VA made regarding my benefits. How can I appeal?
Find out more about appealing a VA decision on the Board of Veterans Appeals page.
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Medicare
What is Medicare and how can I find out if I am eligible?
Medicare is a Health Insurance Program for people 65 years of age and older, some disabled people under 65 years of age, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant). It is not to be confused with Medicaid which is a health care program for individuals with low income and limited resourses. To find out if you are eligible for Medicare, click here.
How can I find a participating physician that fits my needs?
Click here to see a participating physician directory.
How can your office help with HMOs and prescription drugs?
Besides primary Medicare coverage in the community, many individuals receive their medical benefits, including prescription drugs, through a primary HMO provider. Like with Medicare, my office can assist you in any difficulties that may arise with your coverage. If you are having a problem with any of the following and would like further assistance, please contact my staff.
I have other questions about Medicare -- where can I find additional answers?
To visit Medicare's Frequently Asked Questions section of their website, click here.
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Taxes
I need assistance filling out my tax returns. Can your office help me?
With a signed Privacy Release form, the my staff can obtain information about the status of a return or a taxpayer's individual tax account. Although my congressional staff is not trained to directly assist in the preparation of returns or claims, the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers provide direct help solving tax problems, filing claims, making installment agreements and preparing basic individual income tax returns for incomes of $35,000 or less. Contact your local Taxpayer Advocate's office for certified help with your tax returns.
In addition, if you have not had success in your dealings with the IRS, my staff can help you. If you or your organization has been assessed a penalty which you feel is unjust, we can advocate your issue to the Internal Revenue Service.
After filling out the Privacy Release form, please mail or fax it to your local district office.
What should I do if I need help dealing with back taxes?
The best way to get help is through your local Taxpayer Advocate's office. If you are having difficulties, you can contact my staff with questions.
I have other questions about taxes or the Internal Revenue Service -- where can I find additional answers?
Visit the IRS website by clicking here.
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Staying In Touch
How do I request a meeting with you?
My door is always open to the people of the 6th District. To request a meeting to talk about the issues that matter to you, please click here to fill out the Scheduling Request Form.
How do I invite you to speak at my school or an event my organization is hosting?
To invite me to attend an event or visit your school, please click here to fill out the Scheduling Request Form.
How can I sign up for the e-newsletter?
To sign up, click here.
I contacted you, but haven't received a response. What's going on?
I take pride in responding to questions and concerns from 6th District constituents. Response times to inquiries can vary depending on a number of factors; here are the top reasons why my response may have been delayed:
The legislation or issue you contacted me about will be considered soon.
I want you to have the latest information about the issues or legislation you care about.
If Congress is expected to act on a particular issue or legislation soon, responses to your
inquiry may be delayed to ensure you receive the most accurate information available
about the status of the issue or legislation you contacted me about.
An e-mail spam filter has blocked my response.
If you have not received a response, please check your junk mail folder and spam filters.
If you have checked your spam settings, but have not received a response to your inquiry,
please call my office at (202) 225-4706 and a member of my staff will work with you to make
sure you receive a response.
Your letter was addressed to my Washington, DC office.
Due to security precautions, all mail addressed to the Washington, DC office goes through
extensive processing before I receive it. This process often results in a 2-3 week delay in
delivery. To avoid this delay, the best way to contact me or my Washington, DC staff is by
phone at (202) 225-4706, fax at (202) 225-2122 or preferably via email.
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