Help with a Federal Agency
One of my most important responsibilities is to help you navigate various federal agencies.
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, my office will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem and will work to be as helpful as possible.
Get Help Online
To get help from my office online with a federal agency, please use the button below to fill out a digital privacy release. This will give my office the written authorization we need to contact any federal agencies on your behalf.
Get Help By Phone
It's always faster to get help online, but if you have questions or prefer to get assistance by phone, my office is here to help. Contact one of my district offices to get help by phone.
When contacting our office regarding a federal issue, whether online, via phone or in person at our district offices, please have available or include all pertinent information and claim numbers in your correspondence—possibly including (but not limited to):
- Your Social Security number for a case involving Social Security;
- VA claim number for a case with the 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 cell phone number 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 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.
Local Government Resources
Our office will do all we can to assist you, but sometimes the authority to address certain issues primarily rests with your state and local lawmakers, such as your Philadelphia City Councilmember or State Representative. The tools below can help you find out who your correct state and local elected officials are. Common examples of issues that would be pursued through your state or local lawmakers would include unemployment claims, Medicaid (medical assistance) claims, street issues such as potholes, parking issues, noise or sign issues, and other related items. If in doubt, though, contact my office and we can correctly direct you!
- Finding Your State and Local Lawmakers
Find Your State Legislator: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/
Find Your Philadelphia Councilmember: https://phlcouncil.com/council-members/
Community Life Improvement Program of Philadelphia (CLIP): https://www.phila.gov/departments/community-life-improvement-program/
Federal Government Agency Resources
In addition, below are some helpful links to resources relating to various federal agencies that you may find useful. If you need additional information or support that goes beyond the resources linked below, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.
- U.S. Department of State:
Passport Support: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html
International Travel Guide: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
U.S. Visas: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html
Replacing or Certifying Documents: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications.html
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):
Find a VA Form: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/
Check on Your VA Claim, Decision Review or Appeal Status: https://www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/
Schedule or Manage Health Appointments: https://www.va.gov/health-care/schedule-view-va-appointments/
Find a VA Location: https://www.va.gov/find-locations
VA Health Care Information: https://www.va.gov/health-care/
VA Disability Compensation Information: https://www.va.gov/disability/
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
IRS Forms: https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions
“Where’s My Refund” Tool (to check on refund status: https://www.irs.gov/refunds
Tax Records / Transcript Information: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript
Income-Based Tax Preparation Assistance Locator Tool: https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/
- Social Security Administration (SSA):
Social Security Benefits Eligibility: https://www.ssa.gov/prepare/check-eligibility-for-benefits
Apply for Social Security Benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/apply
Get and Estimate of Social Security Retirement Benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/prepare/plan-retirement
Check Application or Appeal Status: https://www.ssa.gov/apply/check-application-or-appeal-status
Appeal a Decision on Benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made
Replace Your Social Security Card: https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card
Create or Sign In to “My Social Security” Account: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
Social Security Forms: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/
- Medicare (Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services):
Planning for Medicare: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare
Sign Up for Medicare: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up
Medicare Part D Extra Help Program: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help
Getting Started with Using Medicare: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare
Create/Log In to Your Medicare Account: https://www.medicare.gov/account/login
Medicare Forms: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/forms-publications-mailings
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
Find a USCIS Office: https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-a-uscis-office
USCIS Forms: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms
Citizenship Resource Center: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship
Green Card Portal: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card
USCIS Online Filing: https://www.uscis.gov/file-online
How to Create a USCIS Online Account: https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/how-to-create-a-uscis-online-account