Help with a Federal Agency

If you are a constituent in California’s 20th District, we can assist you in working with federal agencies to receive a final resolution to your problem. Our office can often assist on a person’s behalf to answer questions and find solutions. The below list of agencies we can assist with, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • Department of Education
  • Department of State/Passports
  • Department of Veterans Affairs 
  • Internal Revenue Services (IRS) 
  • Mail Theft
  • Medicare
  • Social Security Administration
  • United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Please call our district office to speak with our experienced staff members for more information on how we can assist you in dealing with federal agencies. 

Bakersfield District Office: (661) 327-3611

Clovis District Office: (559) 701-2530

If you are experiencing issues with state or local government, please contact the appropriate jurisdiction. You can find your representatives here. 

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. Please be aware that staff will ask you to fill out a privacy release form before assisting with any casework. 

Our office can only support current residents of the 20th congressional district. To see if you are in our district, you can search here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What can your office do to assist a Federal Agency? 

Our office can assist with: 

  • requesting information or status reports from federal agencies
  • urging prompt consideration of a matter based on the merits of a pending case
  • request appointments on your behalf
  • forward paperwork you have completed to ensure it has been received

Please call our office for more information on what we can and cannot assist with. 

Why do I have to sign a release form? 

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. This form authorizes us to contact the federal agency you are dealing with on your behalf. Please contact one of our district offices for a release form after speaking with a caseworker.

Do I have to live in your district to receive assistance?

Yes, you must be in California’s 20th congressional district to receive assistance from our office. If you do not know which district you are in, you can call our office for assistance or search your address here: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative All congressional district offices are bipartisan when assisting with federal agencies, and will assist constituents even if your political believes do not align. 

How long does it take to process my case? Can you expedite my case? 

Typically, one can expect a response in about 30 days, but each federal agency varies based on current backlogs. Federal Agencies generally will not expedite a case due to congressional inquiry however, in the event of a dire situation such as critical health concerns or other urgent concerns (such as a lost passport for upcoming trip, etc.…) we can request that the agency expedite the case. 

Can your office assist with state and local government issues? 

No, our office cannot interfere with matters outside of the federal jurisdiction. For assistance with state issues, please contact your state representative or senator. If you are unsure if the issue falls under our jurisdiction, please contact our office and we can direct you to the correct office to assist you further. If you are unsure of who your state and local representatives are, you can search here: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/who-are-my-representatives or call our office for help.

What can’t your office do? 

Our office cannot: 

  • Override previous decisions made by the federal agency you have been working with. 
  • Speed up your case (except for emergencies such as lost passports or medical concerns) 
  • Interfere with state or local government issues  
  • Interfere with judicial issues or court cases
  • Provide legal or financial advice or assume the role of an accountant or lawyer
  • Complete government paperwork on your behalf such as an appeal.