FAQ: Federal Assistance

Q: Can your office help me obtain a passport?

A: Yes, congressional offices are able to assist constituents who need to apply for and receive a passport quickly. My staff is available to answer any questions you may have concerning the passport application process. For additional information, please see the "Passports" section of my website or reference www.travel.state.gov.

Q: Can your office help me with a problem that involves a state agency?

A: Issues involving state agencies should be handled by state officials. For information about your state representative and state senator, you should reference the North Carolina General Assembly's website at www.ncga.state.nc.us/homePage.pl.

Q: Can your office help me with a legal matter?

A: Members of Congress are limited in their abilities to assist with legal matters. Individuals with such matters are best served by legal representation. The North Carolina Bar Association provides a free lawyer referral service, available by calling 1-800-662-7660.

Q: Where can I access the privacy release form?

A: It is required that you sign a privacy release form for my office to contact a federal agency on your behalf. A printable version of the privacy release form can be found online at www.foxx.house.gov/uploads/Release.pdf. 

Q: How Do You Report Suspected Social Security Fraud Activity?

A: The Fraud Reporting Form for Programmatic Fraud is available so that you may report the fraud, waste, or abuse of SSA Programs such as Retirement, Survivors, Disability and Supplemental Security Income via the Internet. Before you complete the Fraud Reporting Form, please review our Guidelines for Reporting Fraud. You may also want to review our Frequently Asked Questions before completing the on-line form.

Q. How Do I Contact the Fraud Hotline?

A. Individuals have a variety of ways to report fraud to us. Individuals can contact us by:

Internet: Fraud Reporting Form
U.S. Mail:

Social Security Fraud Hotline
P.O. Box 17768 Baltimore, Maryland 21235
Fax: 410-597-0118
Telephone:

1-800-269-0271 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST
TTY: 1-866-501-2101 for the deaf or hard of hearing.

Q. What is the Fraud Hotline?

A. The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Fraud Hotline provides an avenue for individuals to report fraud, waste, and abuse within the SSA’s programs and operations. We handle allegations regarding violations of law or regulations affecting SSA programs and operations.

Q. What Should You Report to the Fraud Hotline?

A. There are a variety of situations that may be considered fraud in our SSA programs. Some examples are:

Receives Social Security Benefits for a Child Not under their care.
Continues to Receive and Use Benefits Belonging to a Deceased Person. 
Conceals their Marriage or Assets from SSA While Receiving Disability Benefits. 
Resides Overseas and is Receiving Disability Benefits.

Below are several examples of potential violations that affect Social Security programs or operations. You can click on each topic below to learn more.