Home > Services > Services for Constituents

Services for Constituents

As Member of Congress, I work closely with my able staff to serve the people of the Fifth District of Minnesota. Congressional offices customarily provide a wide range of services for constituents, and my web site should be a good starting point to see what we have to offer. If you are from the fifth district and you have any questions, or need help with something that is not listed on our web site, please do not hesitate to contact my me or my staff.

Services for Constituents

Federal Agency Casework Assistance

Our office is able to help constituents with problems you may be having with a federal agency. Our office has four caseworkers who operate out of our district office. While we cannot force an agency to act in your favor, we can frequently intervene to facilitate the processes involved and gain a fair hearing for your case, and sometimes advocate for a favorable outcome.

Visiting Washington, DC & Tours

A multitude of tours can be arranged for constituents in the Washington D.C. area. These include the U.S. Capitol, The White House, The U.S. Supreme Court, The Pentagon, The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and much more.

Foreclosure Counseling Resources

hopehotline

A HUD-approved housing counselor will talk to you about your situation and help you decide what mortgage options are best for you. A counselor will explain what documents you will need to provide to your mortgage company and may be able to contact the mortgage company on your behalf.

Flag Requests

American flags may be purchased by Fifth District residents at-cost through our Washington, D.C. office. Residents may also request to have a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol building to celebrate a special occasion or in recognition of a individual or a group, even on a specific date. A certificate suitable for framing is included with the flag.

High School Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, high school students in our district compete for the honor of having their artwork displayed in Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol. This is part of the House of Representatives Congressional Arts Competition for high school students across America.

Earned Income Tax Credit

Low-income working individuals or families can be eligible for a refundable federal income tax credit called the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Internal Revenue Service has an easy questionnaire to determine if you or your family should apply for the EITC.

You do not have to have a child to qualify.

Electronic Newsletter

I send out an electronic newsletter on a regular basis so that folks in the district can keep abreast of what I'm doing in Washington, D.C. as well as get updates of events in the Fifth District. If you this is something you are interested in, please sign up below.

Voter Registration

All Minnesota residents who are eligible to vote may register at any point before or on Election Day. The Minnesota Secretary of State's website has more information about requirements and eligibility for registering to vote, or you can call the Secretary of State's Election Office at 1-877-600-8683 during normal business hours if you have questions.

The Washington, D.C. Page Program

Pages are students in their junior year of high school who are hired to serve as helpers for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. The page program is administered by the Office of the Clerk, pursuant to direction from the Majority and Minority leadership and the U.S. House of Representatives Page Board. The practice of having pages assist in Congressional operations dates back over 200 years.

The office deadline for application for the summer Page Program is April 2, 2010.

Federal Grant Resources

Information, prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress, gives guidance and Internet resources on Federal grants and nonfinancial assistance, as well as on private foundation funding. The Slide show "Grants Information for Constituents" provides overview and tips, reviews key sources, and demonstrates doing a typical grants request.

Internships

The Office of Congressman Keith Ellison is looking for enthusiastic interns for our Washington and Minneapolis offices. We are seeking highly motivated individuals ready to play a vital role in a fast-paced office environment while learning about Congress and the Federal Government. This is a great way of earning valuable experience and helping to make a difference by serving the people of the Fifth District of Minnesota.

Military Academy Resources

Each year my office receives numerous inquiries concerning nominations to the United States Service Academies. I am pleased to provide the following information for constituents who may be interested in a service academy appointment.

Each spring, members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nationwide high school arts competition. The Congressional Art Competition - An Artistic Discovery is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in each congressional district. The contest is open to all high school students. The over-all winner of each participating district will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the competition.

High school students in the Fifth Congressional District compete for the honor of having their artwork displayed in Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol. This is part of the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Arts Competition for high school students across America.

Students in grades 9-12 (and 7^th and 8^thgraders who attend schools with grades 7-12) who wish to enter the competition need to submit their student release form (below) and a one-paragraph artist statement to Aya Johnson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 4:00 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012. Artwork should be dropped off on Friday, April 27 from 3:00-6:00 pm at the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55411.

Students and teachers, please follow these steps:

Additional information:

Students are welcome to submit their artwork either framed or unframed.
The overall (first place) winner’s artwork must be framed as per the Congressional Art Caucus’ guidelines. If it is not framed when it is submitted to Congressman Ellison’s office on Friday, April 27^th, the office will frame it at our discretion.
Please note that the winning piece of artwork and frame must be no larger than 28 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, to the outside of the frame, and 15 pounds in weight.
The overall (first place) winner will be invited to attend the Congressional Art Competition’s reception on Wednesday, June 20^th in Washington, D.C. Additional details about this opportunity will be provided to the first place winner after the forum on Monday, April 30^th.

On Monday, April 30 from 6:30-8:30 pm, Congressman Keith Ellison will host the Arts Education Forum and awards reception at the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board for all contestants, their families, art teachers, contest judges, and the public. There the congressman will announce the overall (first-), second-, and third-place winners. The overall winner’s artwork from Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. for one year. The second- and third-place winners will have their art displayed in Congressman Ellison’s offices in Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis respectively.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Congressman Ellison’s arts community representative, Aya Johnson, at (612) 522-1212 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Voter Registration

All Minnesota residents who are eligible to vote may register at any point before or on Election Day. The Minnesota Secretary of State's website has more information about requirements and eligibility for registering to vote, or you can call the Secretary of State's Election Office at 1-877-600-8683 during normal business hours if you have questions.
Read more...

Federal Agency Casework Assistance

Our office is able to help constituents with problems you may be having with a federal agency. Our office has four caseworkers who operate out of our district office. While we cannot force an agency to act in your favor, we can frequently intervene to facilitate the processes involved and gain a fair hearing for your case, and sometimes advocate for a favorable outcome.
Read more...

Federal Grant Resources

Information, prepared by the Congressional Research Service for Members of Congress, gives guidance and Internet resources on Federal grants and nonfinancial assistance, as well as on private foundation funding. The Slide show "Grants Information for Constituents" provides overview and tips, reviews key sources, and demonstrates doing a typical grants request.
Read more...

More Articles...

«StartPrev12Next End»

Page 1 of 2

Stream
Facebook
YouTube
Twitter
Flickr

Keith Ellison: Hopeful that the Supreme Court will uphold marriage equality as a constitutional right. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/08/us/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-two-cases-on-gay-marriage.html
Keith Ellison: Thanks MPR for setting the record straight with an "Accurate" rating. We should not sacrifice our seniors to solve a problem they did not create.
Keith Ellison Marks Hispanic Heritage Month - Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-05) celebrates the countless contributions of Latinos to Minnesota and American…
Minnesota Week September 24-28 - Rep. Keith Ellison holds two forums on voting rights and meets with Jewish leaders from Minneapolis
Rep. Keith Ellison posted a photo:
Rep. Keith Ellison posted a photo:

Keith Ellison: Hopeful that the Supreme Court will uphold marriage equality as a constitutional right. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/08/us/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-two-cases-on-gay-marriage.html
Keith Ellison: Thanks MPR for setting the record straight with an "Accurate" rating. We should not sacrifice our seniors to solve a problem they did not create.
Keith Ellison: "Like" if you think any deficit agreement should ask the richest 2 percent of Americans to pay their fair share.
Keith Ellison: We can meet our deadlines while protecting Minnesota's middle class.
Keith Ellison: "It's a matter of how do you balance it. Do you balance it on the backs of the people who can least afford it or the people who have been doing pretty well for the last 10 years?" -Keith Ellison on This Week 12/2/2012
Keith Ellison: George Stephanopoulos going over topics #thisweek #abc #my2k http://instagr.am/p/SvIkvvksuJ/

Keith Ellison Marks Hispanic Heritage Month - Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-05) celebrates the countless contributions of Latinos to Minnesota and American…
Minnesota Week September 24-28 - Rep. Keith Ellison holds two forums on voting rights and meets with Jewish leaders from Minneapolis
Keith Ellison Reaction to First Presidential Debate - Keith reacts to the first debate of the 2012 Presidential Election on October 3, 2012
Rep. Ellison Statement on Attacks in Libya - Rep. Ellison Statement on Attacks in Libya
Minnesota Week August 13-17: Raising the Minimum Wage -
Keith Ellison Announces Deal for All - "We believe that America can support an economy where people, if they work hard, can succeed in."