Help with a Federal Agency
Residents of the 10th Congressional District of Georgia, contact us for assistance in dealing with Federal agencies.
Click to Submit Your Casework Request Here
Download Form for USCIS Immigration / Visa Casework
If you are a constituent and are facing problems with a federal agency, our office may be able to assist you. The areas in which we may help include but are not limited to:
- Immigration services
- Federal benefits (military, veterans, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid)
- Disability claims (Social Security, VA)
- Passport problems
- Disaster assistance
- Federal taxes (IRS)
- Federal housing issues
- U.S. Postal Service
- Office of Personnel Management
My office is available to assist in any matter that falls under my jurisdiction as a federal representative. That means the issue must lie with a federal agency or with some entity regulated by a federal agency. If a constituent is having difficulty with a state or municipal matter, our office must refer them to the appropriate local contacts. Click herefor the names and contact information of the people who represent you on the federal, state, and local levels.
Our office may be helpful in any situation where a federal agency:
- has not done what it is supposed to do
- has made errors without correcting them
- has not responded to a constituent
- has not given a constituent clear information
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Must I be a resident of the Tenth Congressional District?
Yes. Members of Congress are prevented from assisting constituents residing outside their Congressional District. As a matter of both professional courtesy and Congressional ethics, it is important that Representatives have the opportunity to assist the constituents they are elected to represent. Additionally, each Congressional office is allotted a limited number of resources. These resources are intended for use in the service of constituents, and it is important that be used as intended. If you need to find your Congressional Representative, visit House.gov.
What is the process after I request assistance?
After you have submitted a signed privacy waiver and copies of any documentation relevant to your case, my office will start by contacting the appropriate federal agency. Each federal agency is staffed with a Congressional Liaison responsible for answering requests from Members of Congress. Depending on the agency and the nature of your case, a resolution may take as little as a week or as long as several months. My office will keep you updated on the progress of your case. You are also encouraged to remain in contact with your caseworker if you have any questions or new information to provide.
Can Congressman Collins guarantee a response in my favor?
No. Every case before a federal agency must be judged equally and impartially, and no Member of Congress can request that an agency reach a specific decision on behalf of a constituent. Decisions must always be made on the merits of the case. However, in circumstances where an agency may have made errors, lost or overlooked information, or misunderstood evidence, my office may be able to assist in seeking a rightful resolution based on the merits. It is important to remember that Congressional intervention is never a guarantee of a favorable outcome.
Can Congressman Collins help resolve a legal dispute?
No. Members of Congress are prohibited from becoming involved in legal matters, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Branch. My office is also unable to recommend legal counsel. You should bear in mind that dissatisfaction with the outcome of a legal case is not in itself grounds for an allegation of misconduct.
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.