Help with a Federal Agency

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, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem.

Residents of the Congressional District of Wisconsin can contact our office for assistance in dealing with Federal agencies.

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 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.

IRS (Internal Revenue Service)

Question: Where is my refund?

Answer: You can check your status at https://www.irs.gov/.

Notes from IRS.GOV:

Have all the information you need before preparing and e-filing your tax return.
Filing electronically with direct deposit will allow you to get your return faster.
Submitting an accurate tax return will avoid processing delays, refund delays and later IRS notices.

Additional information is in IRS News Release 2023-05, copy attached.

The Department of State

Question: What is the status of my passport application?

Answer: You can check your application status at travel.state.gov.

Notes from travel.state.gov:

What to Expect:

Submitting your application online will help avoid mail delays which can impact when the Department of State receives your passport application for processing. Processing times begin the day they receive your application, not the day you mail it.
Routine service can take 10-13 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. Mailing time is not included.
Expedite service (for an additional $60) can take 7-9 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. Mailing time is not included.
If you chose to mail your application, please note that it may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive by mail at a passport agency or center, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport in the mail after it is printed.

We recomend:

If you mail your application to send it via trackable mail, so you can track your application before it enters the Department of State system.
Pay an extra $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery for the return of your completed passport.

Use Self-Service Tools Online: The Department of State has self-service tools that you can access on their website to get your questions answered immediately. Check online for your passport status. Please note that customer service representatives will not give status updates over the phone.

Apply Early! We recommend you apply at least six months before you are planning to travel. Due to limited availability for urgent travel appointments, we cannot guarantee you can receive in-person service at a passport agency or center.

You can only make an appointment by Phone: Call 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, Mondays through Fridays. Learn more to see if you qualify for an appointment.

Renew By Mail: Adults with 10-year passports can renew them by mail instead of appearing in person.

Non-Refundable Fees: The passport application fee and the execution fee are non-refundable. Both bees are collected and retained by law even if that passport is not issued.

Processing times are subject to change. Times change based on demand at the time of the application. To check current processing times, click here.

USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)

Question: What is the status of my (self, spouse, child, parent, family member, fiancé, etc.) application?

Answer: You can check the status of the application at https://www.uscis.gov/.

Notes from USCIS.GOV:

Filing a form online is easier and faster than paper filing. It gives you a simple and personalized way to track your case online. You can also access other USCIS services.

Use our online tools and resources to manage your case:

Please use these tools at uscis.gov before requesting an inquiry sent on your behalf.

SSA (Social Security Administration)

Question: How do I get a new or replacement SSN card?

Answer: Click here to request a replacement Social Security Number (SSN) Card Online

Question: How long does it take to get a decision after I apply for disability benefits?

Answer: You can contact an SSA local office to apply for benefits or obtain an attorney to assist.

Notes from SSA.GOV:

You can get an original Social Security card or a replacement card if yours is lost or stolen. There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free.

You can use a my Social Security account to request a replacement Social Security card online if you:

Are a U.S. citizen age 18 years or older with a U.S. mailing address;
Are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card; and
Have a driver's license or a state-issued identification card from one of the many participating states. If your state does not yet participate in this service, check back soon. More states are added regularly.

If you cannot apply for a card online, you will need to show the required documents. Documentation varies depending on your citizenship and the type of card you are requesting. See Learn What Documents You Need to find out what documents you will have to show.

If you do not have a Social Security Number, fill out and print an application for a Social Security Card; and mail your application and documents to your local Social Security office.

The time it takes to get a decision on your disability application can vary depending on:

The nature of your disability;
How quickly we can get your medical evidence from your doctor or other medical source;
Whether it is necessary to send you for a medical examination; and
Whether we review your application for quality purposes.

If you would like to apply for disability benefits, you can use our online application.

Applying online for disability benefits offers several advantages:

You can start your disability application immediately. There is no need to wait for an appointment;
You can apply from the convenience of your home, or on any computer; and
You can avoid trips to a Social Security office, saving you time and money.

You can log in or create a my Social Security account to check the status of your pending application.

CMS (Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services)

Question: How do I sign up for Medicare?

Answer: Are you almost 65 and receiving Social Security Benefits? You can apply online at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/.

Notes from SSA.GOV:

If you already get Social Security benefits: CMS will automatically enroll you in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B) and mail you all the information you need a few months before you become eligible.

Note: Residents of Puerto Rico or foreign countries won’t automatically receive Part B. They must elect this benefit.

If you don’t get Social Security benefits and are not ready to apply for them yet, you should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.
The easiest way to apply for Medicare is by using our online application. If you don’t wish to apply online, make an appointment by calling us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Important Information about Medical Insurance (Part B) Coverage
Because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you can turn it down. However, if you decide to sign up for Part B later, your coverage can be delayed and you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. Your monthly premium will go up 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible for Part B, but didn’t sign up for it unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.

Other enrollment situations:

You should also contact Social Security about applying for Medicare if one of the following applies:

You’re a disabled widow or widower between age 50 and age 65, but haven’t applied for disability benefits because you’re already getting another kind of Social Security benefit.
You’re a government employee and became disabled before age 65.
You, your spouse, or your dependent child has permanent kidney failure.
You had Medicare Part B in the past, but dropped the coverage.
You turned down Medicare Part B when you first got Part A.
You or your spouse worked for the railroad industry.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Question: How do I apply for benefits through the VA?

Answer: Health care, disability, and education benefits can be applied for online at https://www.va.gov/.

Notes from VA.GOV:

Use their online tools and resources to answer your questions:

If a veteran must receive urgent medical treatment outside of the VA or their approved Community Care Provider, they must call (844) 724-7842, the 72-hour call in number (within 72 hours). This is not a guarantee of payment.

If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves. Click here to access the 24/7 hotline.