Casework
How Senator Tester Can Help
If you are a Montanan and need assistance working with or getting answers from an agency of the Federal Government, Senator Tester's office may be able to help.
Senator Tester and his staff make every effort to assist Montanans. We can help you by providing basic information, such as a federal agency phone number, and help you with governmental procedures, such as applying for a passport or visa. We can also provide you assistance with:
- military awards and commendations;
- veterans' benefits;
- Social Security and Medicare benefits;
- immigration matters;
- small-business concerns; and
- federal tax matters and the Internal Revenue Service.
By law, there are some matters over which United States Senators have no jurisdiction. In these cases, Senator Tester's staff will do their best to point you in the right direction for assistance. Please note: as a member of the legislative branch of the federal government, Senator Tester has no authority or jurisdiction in judicial matters, pardon or parole cases and cannot with propriety intervene in such matters. Senator Tester also does not have jurisdiction over the release or transfer of state or federal prisoners.
If you are not from Montana, please visit with one of your Senators. As a matter of courtesy and to preserve limited resources, inquiries without a Montana connection are automatically forwarded to a Senator from the appropriate state.
If you need assistance with a matter involving a state or local government agency, your first contact should be to your Montana State Representative or Montana State Senator. You may also want to contact the Montana Citizens' Advocate Office.
If your inquiry is about a matter involving the judicial branch—such as a child custody case, a divorce, or a civil or criminal prosecution or sentencing—the rules of the Senate prevent the involvement of Senator Tester or his staff. For help finding a qualified attorney, please contact the State Bar of Montana.
If you would like to send Senator Tester your thoughts or ideas about legislation, please visit the Contact section of this site.
How to Request Casework Assistance
You can request assistance with your case through the mail or in person at any of Senator Tester's offices. Click here for contact information for Senator Tester's offices around Montana.
In general, agencies cannot reply to a congressional inquiry without a release signed by the constituent requesting assistance. The Privacy Release is required to protect you from unauthorized use and exchange of personal information by federal agencies. Family members, friends, or other interested parties generally cannot authorize the release of information on your behalf.
To initiate your case through the mail, send a completed Privacy Release Form and any other materials to Senator Tester's office at:
Office of Senator Jon Tester
130 W Front Street
Missoula, MT 59802
Please send copies of documents related to your case rather than originals, as their return cannot be guaranteed.
