Common Casework Q&A

Senator Heitkamp and her staff handle a wide variety of issues on behalf  of North Dakotans. The following pages contain answers to questions that Senator Heitkamp's staff is frequently asked by constituents.

• Military Information
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - including information on how to contact the IRS and how to get answers to federal income tax questions.
• Social Security Administration (SSA) - including questions about receiving retirement or disability benefits.
• Federal Employee/Retiree - including information on disability retirement, survivor benefits, and changing your beneficiary.
• Passport/Visa - including instructions for filing for a passport or visa for American citizens.
• Veterans Affairs - including information on service and non-service connected benefits and survivor benefits.
• U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) - including information on legalization, naturalization, and visitor/student/business visas.

 

 

Quick Answers: Military

Many of the questions Senator Heitkamp's staff gets from families of military personnel involve communication with their deployed family members.

How can I contact my loved one in case of an emergency or death if the bases are engaged on high alert (or increased security measures)?

The Red Cross is the primary point of contact. The number is 1-800-951-5600. Be prepared to provide a name, birth date, and social security number of your loved one. In the event that the Red Cross is not able to assist you, please contact Senator Heitkamp's office in Fargo at 701-232-8030.

 

 

Quick Answers: Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the agency responsible for collecting income taxes. Included under IRS's umbrella are refunds, collection of unpaid or underpaid taxes, and tax exempt designation for organizations. The agency is also empowered to withhold refunds for payment of the taxpayer's debts for such things as education loans and child support.

What is the local IRS phone number?

You can call their toll free number, 1-800-829-1040. You will go through an electronic list and eventually be directed to a representative who can assist you with most questions.

If you only need to know the status of your tax return, you can call 1-800-829-4477.

If you still need further assistance, the IRS has instituted a Taxpayer Advocate Service Office in Fargo that you can contact with your questions.

Where is the Taxpayer Advocate Service Office in Fargo?

The Taxpayer Advocate Service Office is located at 657 2^nd Ave N, Stop 1005-FAR, Room 244, Fargo, ND 58102.Their phone number is 701-237-8342; their fax number is 701-293-1332. If you are outside of the Fargo area, call the toll free number, 1-877-777-4778. This number gets you into IRS and they can transfer you to a taxpayer advocate.

After you have used the above resources, if you feel that you were not given a satisfactory answer or that they were not able to help, you may contact Senator Heitkamp's office. If Senator Heitkamp's staff is going to contact IRS on your behalf, you will be asked to fill out an IRS personal authorization form giving them permission to make inquiries on your behalf. 

 

Quick Answers: Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the agency that deals with your retirement benefits. Besides retirement, the agency covers several other benefit programs including Social Security Disability (SSD), Supplemental Social Security (SSI), burial expense, survivor and dependent benefits.

Howard Kossover, the Social Security Public Affairs Specialist for our region, answers many questions on his blog and is a good resource to check if you have questions about Social Security:

http://socialsecurityinfo.areavoices.com/about/

I have become disabled and am unable to work. What happens after I apply for Social Security Disability?

The Social Security Administration will provide you with a handbook to review.

Many disability applications are denied at the first step. After the first denial of application, there are three appeals steps in the administrative review process.

• Reconsideration - The claimant has 60 days to ask for a reconsideration. All information, including new medical information, is reviewed by the Disability Determination Service (DDS).
• Hearing - If the claimant disagrees with the reconsideration determination, he/she can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The ALJ will review the evidence and hold a hearing with the claimant.
• Appeals Council - If the claimant disagrees with the ALJ's decision, he/she can request a review by the Appeals Council.

I have been denied disability benefits from the SSA. What can I do? Can Senator Heitkamp write to them and get me my benefits?

The notice of denial includes information regarding your right to file a reconsideration or appeal. Be sure you file within the time frame listed in their notice.

The Social Security Administration needs information which proves that you cannot work for at least 12 months. Important considerations are your 

• age
• education
• past work
• physical and/or mental condition

You need to let SSA know about new medical information.

Senator Heitkamp cannot guarantee a particular outcome; she wants you to know that her and her staff will do their best to help you receive a fair and timely response. They are not able to force an agency to expedite your case or to act in your favor. 

Go to the Social Security Administration website for more information.

 

 

Quick Answers: Federal Employees & Retirees

The agencies that deal with federal employment include:

• Office of Personnel Management (OPM) deals with federal employment and retirement, life and health insurance and survivor benefits.
• Office of Workers' Compensation (OWCP) handles federal worker's compensation and black lung claims.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) processes discrimination complaints. Most federal agencies have their own EEOC process that should be pursued before filing with the EEOC itself.
• Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) protects the integrity of the Federal merit systems and the rights of Federal employees working in the systems.

I am on Federal Workers Compensation and my doctor has prescribed some new medication. How can my pharmacy get prescription authorizations quickly?

The closest OWCP Regional Office is located in Denver, CO.  The phone number is (303) 202-2500. This office can provide approval information on a specific case for a specific medication.

Anyone can use the OWCP phone number; however, it is especially useful for pharmacies. The caller keys in a case number and a National Drug Code (NDC); the computer will determine if the case is in a pay status and, if so, whether the NDC code is payable for the accepted condition. If the code is payable, the system will allow the caller to enter a quantity and get the maximum payable for the prescription.

Where can I go to get information regarding my workers' compensation claim?

The District Office of OWCP in Denver has a web page on which you can find answers to your questions on workers compensation questions.

 

 

Quick Answers: Department of State

The Department of State is responsible for issuing passports and visitor visas. As the agency that maintains our diplomatic presence in foreign countries, it also provides services to American citizens abroad.

What information is available from the Department of State regarding passports and visas?

The Department of State has a section on their website specifically addressing passports and visas. That address is: http://www.travel.state.gov

For questions about passport applications, you may call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or for the hearing impaired (TDD) 1-888-874-7793.

If you have trouble reaching someone at the numbers listed above, or if you find out there is a problem with your application, call the Department of State at 1-651-221-1016.

I am traveling to another country. Do I need a passport and a visa? How do I know if it is safe to travel there?

The Department of State web page provides travel requirements and gives travel warnings for every country. 

I would like a friend/relative from a foreign country to come visit me for the summer. What steps do my friend and I have to take?

The Department of State web page details the kind of visa he/she may apply for and also has a list of all the U.S. Embassies, Consulates. Your friend/relative will need to come prepared to prove that he/she is not planning on immigrating to the United States. 

I would like to get my tourist/student/business visa extended. What do I need to do?

You should first contact the closest foreign consulate office for detailed instructions. Extension of your visa will depend on whether or not you have a valid passport and what the date stamped on your I94 states.

I was born in a foreign country while my father/mother was stationed there. How do I prove my citizenship?

The U.S. Department of State can provide you with a Certificate of Birth Overseas.

 

 

Quick Answers: Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs deals with veterans' benefits. These include life insurance, service connected and non-service connected disability, health care benefits and grave markers. Health care benefits include insurance, hospitals, nursing home, and at home assisted care.

It has been six months since I have heard anything from the VA on my claim. What should I do? Can you call and make them give me my benefits?

You should contact the veterans' service officer who is helping with your claim and see if he/she has an update. Senator Heitkamp would also be happy to send an inquiry asking for a status update.

 

 

Quick Answers: Citizenship and Immigration Services

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) deals with legal entry and legalization of aliens and the naturalization of legal residents. This agency also grants extension of non-immigrant visas.

I would like a friend/relative from a foreign country to come visit me for the summer. What steps do my friend and I have to take?

The Department of State web page details the kind of visa he/she may apply for and also has a list of all the U.S. Embassies, Consulates. Your friend/relative will need to come prepared to prove that he/she is not planning on immigrating to the United States.