Welcome and thanks for seeking my assistance. One of the most important parts of my job is to make government work for all New Yorkers.
My staff is knowledgeable and they work hard to make government responsive for those who seek our assistance.
While we can’t solve every problem, we are eager to do all we can to help you. Please review the categories below and carefully follow the instructions so we can get the information we need to help you out.
Frequently Asked Questions:How can Chuck help me? How do I ask Chuck for help? Can you help people who live outside New York State? Can you help me with a problem I'm having with a state or local government agency? Can you help me with a legal problem I'm having? How can I apply for Social Security benefits? How do I get a Social Security card? How do I get a Medicare card? How do I find the status of a case that is pending at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or at an Embassy or Consulate overseas? How do I get a passport? What do I do if I've been a victim of discrimination at work? What do I do if my workplace is dangerous or unhealthy? Can you help me get a job in the Civil Service or Postal Service? Can you help me get a prison transfer?
How can Chuck help me?
We can help you in a variety of ways with Federal agencies. We can make inquiries on your behalf about the status of any pending cases before any Federal agency. We can also often offer advice about which agency would be best to handle your concerns, and help you navigate the sometimes confusing web of services offered by the Federal government. Unfortunately, we cannot offer legal advice or intervene in pending litigation.
How do I ask Chuck for help?
The best way to quickly obtain assistance for a personal problem concerning a federal agency is by sending a letter to our New York City office. Providing all the information requested below will enable our office to review your case and work on your behalf with the appropriate Federal agencies. Under Federal privacy laws, government agencies require a written SIGNED letter from the person seeking assistance.
Please make sure that your correspondence contains the following:
- Brief explanation: Please describe the situation with which you require help as briefly and clearly as possible. The more clear and concise your explanation, the faster we can handle your case.
- Privacy Waiver: Please include a signed statement that says: "In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, you and your staff are hereby authorized to freely discuss any and all aspects of my situation." This gives us the authority to handle your request. For a sample privacy waiver form in Adobe Acrobat format with fill-in fields, please click here.
- Identification numbers: Please include your social security number as well as any case or file numbers.
- A daytime telephone number: Please provide a way to enable my office to reach you should more information be needed. Our address is:
780 Third Avenue, Suite 2301
New York, NY 10017
- For information regarding the status of a case that is pending with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Click HERE
Can you help people who live outside New York State?
No. If you are not from New York, any inquiries you send to us will be forwarded to one or both of the Senators who represent your state. Can you help me with a problem I'm having with a state or local government agency?
Any problems you are having with state or local agencies including problems with Medicaid, food stamps, and welfare should be addressed to your State Senator or Assembly person.
Can you help me with a legal problem I'm having?
Unfortunately, we can't. Senate rules prohibit our office from giving legal advice or intervening in pending legal proceedings. If you need to find a lawyer, you should contact the American Bar Association's Correspondence Unit at (312) 988-5522 and they can help you.
How can I apply for Social Security benefits?
Please click here for a link to the appropriate section of the website of the Social Security Administration.
How do I get a Social Security card?
You need to contact the Social Security Administration's New York Regional Office.
How do I get a Medicare card?
Please call 1-800-772-1213. You'll need your medicare number.
How do I find the status of a case that is pending at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or at an Embassy or Consulate overseas?
For assistance with cases pending overseas, click here.
For assistance with cases pending in the U.S., click here.
How do I get a passport?
Passports can be obtained by applying at selected post offices and Clerk of Courts Offices. If you require a passport within three weeks you may find it advisable to pay an additional fee for express mail to ensure that your passport arrives on time. Detailed information and printable forms can be found here.
What do I do if I've been a victim of discrimination at work?
If you believe you have been the victim of employment discrimination, you should contact the New York City or Buffalo offices of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The phone number for the New York City office is 1-800-669-4000 . The Buffalo office can be reached at (716) 551-4441. If you're not sure whether your complaint violates Federal law, click here for an explanation or call my New York City (212-486-4430) office for further assistance.
What do I do if my workplace is dangerous or unhealthy?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration can address concerns related to workplace health and safety. OSHA operates a number of offices in New York State that should be contacted if you require assistance in these areas:
Can you help me get a job in the Civil Service or Postal Service?
- Albany Area Office: Phone:(518) 464-4338 Fax:(518) 464-4337
- Bayside District Office: Phone: (718) 279-9060 Fax:(718) 279-9057
- Buffalo Area Office: Phone: (716) 684-3891 Fax:(716) 684-3896
- Long Island Area Office: Phone: (516) 334-3344 Fax:(516) 334-3326
- Manhattan Area Office: Phone: (212) 466-2482 Fax:(212) 466-2939
- Syracuse Area Office: Phone:(315) 451-0808 Fax:(315) 451-1351
- Tarrytown Area Office: Phone: (914) 524-7510 Fax:(914) 524-7515
We cannot. In most cases, Federal law prohibits us from recommending candidates for these positions.
Can you help me get a prison transfer?
Unfortunately not. Prison system officials are in a much better place than we are to judge the merits of your situation so it would be improper for us to intervene.
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