Help With Federal Agencies

Representative Bishop believes that one of the most important parts of his job as your Congressman is helping district residents who need assistance with federal problems or concerns. If you need assistance in dealing with a government agency, please contact my District Office at (631) 289-6500.

Government procedures can be confusing and, in the age of automated answering systems, often frustrating. Caseworkers are trained to assist constituents by cutting through a myriad of departments and phone numbers. They can direct people to the appropriate office, provide them with necessary instructions, phone numbers or materials, and/or find out the status of an application.

Constituents will sometimes request that the Congressman "expedite" their applications for services or benefits. While a caseworker is available to obtain information regarding the status of a constituents application or claim, this office has no authority to move one person's application ahead of others who are also waiting. However, if an emergency situation develops, a caseworker will communicate the circumstances to the agency and request that the agency take the appropriate actions.

Occasionally, a constituent will request that the Congressman use his influence to overturn a decision made by a federal agency. A caseworker is happy to assist constituents by forwarding information to the appropriate sources for consideration during the adjudication process. A Congressional office, however, does not have the authority to instruct a federal agency to approve or deny an application.

Below are some of the situations the Congressman and his caseworkers deal with on a regular basis:

* Social Security questions about benefits, disabilities, or a lost check.
* Immigration questions regarding citizenship, permanent residency, or form requests.
* U.S. Postal Service problems.
* Internal Revenue Service problems.
* Expediting a passport that is needed for immediate travel.
* Medicare billing problems that are incorrect or not understood.
* Military policy, procedures, records, or medals.
* Problems with Federal Employees' Workers Compensation.

Due to the "Freedom of Information and Privacy Act," it is necessary for you to print out, complete, and sign a Privacy Release Form authorizing me and/or a member of my staff to obtain the information needed to respond to your request for assistance. Please fill out, print, sign and mail the appropriate release form from the list below so we can begin to work on your case immediately.