Help with a Federal Agency

If you can't get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, my office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. While we cannot guarantee you a favorable outcome, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem.

Residents of the 2nd Congressional District of Arizona can contact me for assistance in dealing with Federal agencies. In order to better serve you, this form will generate a printable page that you should sign and mail to my office.

Meet my Tucson consitutent service representatives: Taj, Patty and Kendra

Please include all pertinent information and claim numbers in your correspondence—such as:

• Your Social Security number for a case involving Social Security;
• VA claim number for a case with Department of Veterans Affairs;
• Taxpayer identification number (Social Security number, if individual) for an Internal Revenue Service problem, etc.;
• Your address, home phone number and daytime phone number (if different than home) so that we can obtain any additional information from you that might be necessary;
• Copies of any related documents or correspondence that you may have from the agency involved;
• Please mail or fax the consent form to my Tucson or Sierra Vista offices. 

Please Note:

The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) requires that Members of Congress or their staff have written authorization before they can obtain information about an individual's case.
We must have your signature to proceed with this type of request.

Authorization Form

Privacy Authorization Form (pdf)

 

Casework Stories

Healthcare

Richard Scott
Mr. Scott met Congressman Barber at his January “Congress On Your Corner” event in Sahuarita. Mr. Scott, who is a Southern Arizona senior and Medicare recipient, had been prescribed the same medication dosage for the last 13 years. However, at the beginning of the year, Mr. Scott’s health insurer reduced his medication and denied his authorization for his prior prescription. Ron’s office was able to contact the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on his behalf and by the end of January, the health insurance company overturned its original decision and Mr. Scott was again able to receive the larger dose of his medication.

Ronald Paul Rodrigue Sr.
Mr. Rodrigue had been without a power wheelchair for months due to a payment dispute between Medicare and The Scooter Store. Mr. Rodrigue came to Congressman Barber for help. After Ron’s team got involved in resolving the issue between The Scooter Store and Medicare, Mr. Rodrigue received a brand new chair and regained his mobility.

Donna Newbury
Ms. Newbury’s husband, a veteran, was having trouble accessing health care, had been told by the Arizona Department of Economic Security to go to Healthcare.gov, but the Marketplace told him to go back to DES. His wife contacted us for help because they didn't know where to turn. Ron’s office contacted both agencies for clarification and got an expedited approval for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act expansion.

Lyn Neglia
Ms. Neglia originally was referred to AHCCCS by the Marketplace but she was not eligible. She contacted Congressman Barber's office.  Ron’s team opened a case and contacted CMS on her behalf.  Following that contact, she was able to select a healthcare plan via the Marketplace. 

Jo Anne Sam
Ms. Sam contacted Congressman Barber after spending 14 hours filling out five applications on Healthcare.gov over several days. The complications delayed her effective date of the health coverage from April 1, 2014 to May 1, 2014.  Ms. Sam had submitted her applications prior to the deadline to obtain coverage effective April 1 and could not get through to her provider to correct the start date of her insurance. Ron’s team stepped in and made sure that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services directly requested that her provider change her effective date of health coverage. Ms. Sam’s insurance provider fixed the error on the preliminary date of her coverage before April 1, making sure she was covered when she needed to be.


Immigration

Nadia Larsen
Ms. Larsen contacted Congressman Barber’s office on behalf of her son because he was having issues with the fiancée visa petition he had submitted. After several months, they were denied and filed an appeal. Ron’s team stepped in to make sure Mr. Larsen and his fiancée had help throughout the process. The couple now is happily married. You can learn more about their story here: http://barber.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tucson-couple-is-married-after-rep-barber-s-office-cuts-international


IRS

Rosalie Ann Anna Mercer
Ms. Mercer contacted Congressman Barber’s office because her federal income tax refund was being held up by the IRS for reasons unknown. After Ron’s team contacted the Taxpayer Advocate Service, they discovered that there was a discrepancy between what Ms. Mercer reported as income and tax withheld from what the IRS had on file. It was discovered that certain documents had not been received by the IRS to help prove that she had reported the correct amounts. After getting the appropriate documents to the IRS, Ms. Mercer got her refund with interest.

Stephen Kent Elliott
Mr. Elliott and his wife own two small businesses in Tombstone. Mrs. Elliott fell ill last year and was not able to file their 2013 taxes on time. Later in the year, they received a penalty from the IRS for not filing their corporate taxes in a timely manner, which the Elliotts were unable to pay. After Ron’s team informed Taxpayer Advocate Services of the Elliotts’ issue, Mrs. Elliott’s medical documentation proving her illness at the time she was required to file her corporate taxes was forwarded to the IRS. After the IRS reviewed the case, the Elliotts’ penalty was waived.


Medals and Decorations

Shelby Whayne
Mr. Whayne contacted Congressman Barber in an effort to see if he could acquire his father’s service record within two weeks so his gravestone could have the Distinguished Flying Cross and his World War II awards engraved on it. Ron’s team contacted the National Personnel Records Center in attempts to attain the proper documents ensuring that he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  After contacting Arlington Cemetery, the father’s gravestone had World War II and the Distinguished Flying Cross inscribed on it.

Raymond Lawton
Mr. Lawton’s daughter, Betsy Tietz, had run into a roadblock requesting her father's military medals for his 89th birthday. She contacted Congressman Barber for help getting the awards that he deserved. Mr. Lawton is blind and requested to receive his medals as a result of his heroism for serving our country. After Ron’s team got involved, Mr. Lawton received his medals in a medal presentation in February 2014.


Social Security and Medicare

Jerry Cherrington
After being denied enrollment for Medicare Part B, Mr. Cherrington requested Congressman Barber’s help to get Medicare coverage. After Ron’s team contacted Social Security, it was determined that the denial should be reversed and Mr. Cherrington should receive Medicare Part B coverage. Today, Mr. Cherrington is covered by Medicare Part B.

Sharon Keene
Ms. Keene had been facing problems with her Social Security benefits and Medicare premium for four months. She contacted Congressman Barber’s office for help. After Ron’s team got involved, the problems were resolved in just over two weeks.


Veterans

Ruby Jean Willis
Ruby Willis filed an application to receive a Survivors Benefits Pension after the death of her husband, World War II veteran James Malcolm Willis. As the application was filed in October 2012, it was determined that she needed more documentation. After helping Ms. Willis correct paperwork Ron’s team was able to obtain the correct benefits for the wife of the deceased veteran. Ms. Willis is now receiving a monthly benefit to help cover her living expenses.

Henry Schaller
Mr. Henry Schaller, an 89-year-old World War II veteran, had been requesting that the Department of Veterans Affairs provide him hearing aids for many years. Mr. Schaller contacted Congressman Barber to track down the status of his claim. After contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs, Ron’s team managed to resolve his claim, allowing Mr. Schaller to receive his hearing aid after many years without it.

Gregory Arlen Goodrich
Mr. Goodrich contacted Congressman Barber when the Department of Veterans Affairs proposed to reduce his monthly benefits.  Mr. Goodrich was at risk of suffering financial hardship should his benefits be reduced.  Congressman Barber’s staff contacted the Department of Veterans Affairs and provided all the necessary information needed for the VA to make a decision.  Following the actions by Ron’s team, Mr. Goodrich’s benefits were reinstated.

Stephen Kent Elliot
Mr. Kent, a Vietnam Veteran, contacted Congressman Barber in his attempt to receive a service-connected disability rating and benefit. Mr. Kent was exposed to harmful chemical agents that have been associated with many physical and mental ailments. After Ron’s team had multiple interactions with the VA, Mr. Kent was granted service-connected disability benefits.

Joe R. Lucero
Mr. Lucero contacted Congressman Barber after being billed for a fee charged by Tricare to the Sierra Vista Diagnostic Center.  Mr. Lucero believed he was incorrectly charged by the insurance company and after opening a case for him, the insurance company acknowledged he was incorrectly charged and he was refunded the full amount of the fee. 

Loren Winston Martin
Mr. Martin, a Vietnam veteran, received disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs due to an exposure of the harmful chemical, Agent Orange. After the initial determination of his permitted benefits, Mr. Martin felt that he was not getting the full benefits he deserved. As a result of Ron’s team intervening, the Department of Veterans Affairs re-evaluated and considered the congressman’s request to have his claim expedited.