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Help with a Federal Agency

One of our 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, our office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. While we cannot guarantee you a favorable outcome, our 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.

Residents of the 2nd Congressional District of Pennsylvania may contact our office for assistance in dealing with federal agencies. In order to better serve you, the link at the bottom of this page will take you to our digital privacy release page, where you will be able to provide our office the written authorization we need to contact any federal agencies on your behalf.

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 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;

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE A DIGITAL AUTHORIZATION FORM(link is external)

Please note that 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.

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 our office.

U.S. Department of State:
Passport Support: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html(link is external) 
International Travel Guide: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html(link is external)
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(link is external)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA):
Find a VA Form: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/(link is external)
Check on Your VA Claim, Decision Review or Appeal Status: https://www.va.gov/claim-or-appeal-status/(link is external)
Schedule or Manage Health Appointments: https://www.va.gov/health-care/schedule-view-va-appointments/(link is external)
Find a VA Location: https://www.va.gov/find-locations(link is external)
VA Health Care Information: https://www.va.gov/health-care/(link is external)
VA Disability Compensation Information: https://www.va.gov/disability/(link is external)

Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
IRS Forms: https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions(link is external)
“Where’s My Refund” Tool (to check on refund status: https://www.irs.gov/refunds(link is external)
Tax Records / Transcript Information: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript(link is external)
Income-Based Tax Preparation Assistance Locator Tool: https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/(link is external)

Social Security Administration (SSA):
Social Security Benefits Eligibility: https://www.ssa.gov/prepare/check-eligibility-for-benefits(link is external) 
Apply for Social Security Benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/apply(link is external)
Get and Estimate of Social Security Retirement Benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/prepare/plan-retirement(link is external) 
Check Application or Appeal Status: https://www.ssa.gov/apply/check-application-or-appeal-status(link is external)
Appeal a Decision on Benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made(link is external)
Replace Your Social Security Card: https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card(link is external)
Create or Sign In to “My Social Security” Account: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/(link is external)
Social Security Forms: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/(link is external)

Medicare (Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services):
Planning for Medicare: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare(link is external)
Sign Up for Medicare: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up(link is external)
Medicare Part D Extra Help Program: https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help(link is external)
Getting Started with Using Medicare: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare(link is external)
Create/Log In to Your Medicare Account: https://www.medicare.gov/account/login(link is external)
Medicare Forms: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/forms-publications-mailings(link is external)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
Find a USCIS Office: https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-a-uscis-office(link is external)
USCIS Forms: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms(link is external)
Citizenship Resource Center: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship(link is external)
Green Card Portal: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card(link is external)
USCIS Online Filing: https://www.uscis.gov/file-online(link is external)
How to Create a USCIS Online Account: https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/how-to-create-a-uscis-online-account(link is external)

Finding Your State and Local Lawmakers, Local 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 our office and we can correctly direct you!

Find Your State Legislator: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/(link is external)
Find Your Philadelphia Councilmember: https://phlcouncil.com/council-members/(link is external)
Community Life Improvement Program of Philadelphia (CLIP): https://www.phila.gov/departments/community-life-improvement-program/(link is external)

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(link is external)