What Can We Help You With?

If you can't get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, our office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need.

While we cannot guarantee you a favorable outcome, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem.

Residents of the 11th Congressional District of Pennsylvania can contact our offices for assistance in dealing with the following federal agencies or issues:

• Veterans Affairs or branches of the military
• Social Security Administration
• Medicare
• IRS
• Housing assistance
• Immigration
• Passport and visa information
• Education resources
• Postal Service
• Consumer protection

In order for our office to be able to assist you with these issues, please fill out our help with a federal agency form and mail it to one of our district offices. This form will generate a printable page that you can sign and mail.

Please include all pertinent information and claim numbers in your correspondence, including Social Security numbers, case numbers, taxpayer identification numbers, etc. Also include your address, home phone number, and daytime phone number (if that’s different than the home number) so we can obtain any additional information that might be necessary;

Also include copies of any related documents or correspondence that you may have from the agency involved. Please do not send original related documents to our district offices.

Note: The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) requires that Members of Congress or their staff have written authorization before they can obtain information about an individual's case.
We must have your signature to proceed with your request.

Please fill out our help with a federal agency form.

 

How can we help you? (FAQs)

Q: Can you help me appeal the decisions of denied claims/applications?
A: Our office can make inquires on your behalf about the status of a pending case. We can also ask for clarifications on the reasons a case has been denied.  However, we cannot ask any agencies to decide an issue to favor any particular side or reach a particular decision, and we cannot ask that final decision be overturned.  If your case has been denied, you must contact the agency for information on options to appeal your claim’s final decision. 

Q: Can you expedite my claim or application with a federal agency?
A: Each agency has set criteria for considering expediting requests. You can contact the agency or office where your claim or application is being processed to find out what is required for the agency to consider expediting your case, or you can send the request, along with evidence showing a need for expedited attention, to one of our district offices.

Q: Can your office help me with state or county agencies?
A: As a United States Representative, our office can help act as liaisons for all United States federal agencies.  For assistance with state or county agencies, you should contact your representatives in the Pennsylvania State Senate or Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, or contact the office of the Pennsylvania Governor.  The staffers at these offices have more direct access to state and county agencies and can better help process your claim.

• Pennsylvania General Assembly
• Pennsylvania State Senate

Q: Can you help me with my legal case or court hearing?
A: As a United States Representative, Rep. Barletta is prohibited from giving legal advice or intervening in court proceedings.

Q: Can you help me with predatory lending or a pending home foreclosure?
A:  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Web site provides tips and information about predatory lending, foreclosures, and similar issues. It is often helpful in answering questions about those topics.  If you need to contact our office for assistance in these matters, please fill out our help with a federal agency form and be sure to include your loan number, lender name, and any recent statements or letters you have received from your lender regarding the status of your loan. Send that information to one of our district offices.

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Q: Why do you need my complete Social Security number?
A: Agencies will need to verify your identity and retrieve information connected to your case in order to address your concerns.  In most cases, the best way to verify your identity and to look up your case history is with your Social Security number.  For immigration cases, an alien registration number or passport number is preferred.

In order for our office to be able to assist you with these issues, please fill out our help with a federal agency form and mail it to one of our district offices.