Agency Help
If you need help contacting or working with a federal agency such as the Department of Education, Department of Labor, or Department of Veterans Affairs, please contact Congresswoman Slaughter’s Rochester office. Her staff will be happy to confidentially discuss your circumstance and help you to take the next steps.
If the office can be of assistance, you will need to download and fill out a Privacy Release Form and submit it to the Rochester office via fax or mail. Once the form has been received and processed, you will be contacted for any additional information before any federal agency is contacted. You can access the form here.
Importantly, congressional offices cannot force federal agencies to reach specific outcomes. Offices can only communicate the circumstances of particular cases and request that agencies take appropriate actions to assist you. Congresswoman Slaughter and her staff are pleased to help you with any number of issues relating to federal agencies, including, but not limited to:
- Consumer Protection
- Federal Student Financial Aid
- Medicare/Medicaid Benefits
- Social Security Benefits
- Veterans Affairs Benefits
- Immigration Status
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q: Are you a resident of the 25th Congressional District of New York?
A: Each member of Congress has the privilege to serve his or her own constituents. If you are not a resident of the 25th Congressional District of New York, please click here to find your representative.
Q: Does your case involve a federal agency?
A: Congresswoman Slaughter is only able to make inquiries of federal agencies. If your case involves a state or local agency, please contact your state or local government representative for assistance. If you live in New York State, click here for more information.
Q: Does the case you are concerned about involve you?
A: While you are welcome to contact the office to seek assistance for someone else, due to privacy laws, official inquiries require the signature of the individual whose information is being accessed.
Q: Is this a legal dispute?
A: Congresswoman Slaughter and her staff are unable to become involved in court cases or legal issues due to judicial independence of our court system.
Q: Does your situation involve a law that you would like to see changed?
A: If you are advocating for a change in the law, you can submit your comments electronically by clicking here, or contacting the Rochester or Washington, D.C. office. Please be assured that every comment or question is shared with Congresswoman Slaughter and she will work closely with the office to provide you with a response as quickly as possible.
Q: Is an agency already working on your case?
A: It is rare that a case can be “sped up” for any reason other than extreme hardship. If you believe your situation merits faster processing, please contact the Rochester office as soon as possible. The staff will discuss your situation with you and help determine the proper strategy.
If you are still unsure whether our office can assist you with your case, please contact the Rochester office at (585) 232-4850. The congresswoman’s staff will discuss your situation with you and work with you to determine the best course of action.
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.
Privacy Release Form
This is a three step process. Step one is to fill in the form with the required data, then click the “Generate Request for Review” button at the bottom of the page. Once reviewed, print and mail, fax, or hand deliver the document to the Rochester office. The address and fax number are on the generated page.
If you are having problems completing this form, an alternate hard copy can be found here.