January 13, 2024
Dear Friends,
As your representative in Congress, helping constituents is my top priority. Whether you need help with a federal agency, are trying to find and apply for federal grants, or are looking to tour the Capitol during your next visit to Washington, D.C., my staff and I are here to help.
During my years in Congress, I’ve worked hard on behalf of our Capital Region to deliver for our vibrant and diverse communities. Last year, my staff and I resolved more than 1,500 constituent cases and helped residents like you receive more than $4.5 million in federal funds. We shared grant opportunities that helped secure hundreds of local awards, totaling nearly $850 million in federal funding.
In an effort to build upon that work in 2024, I want to make sure you know the services that are available to you. Below is a brief overview of just some of the ways in which my staff and I can help. While we will do everything to assist, case outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
- Social Security
- Requesting information about the status of pending cases
- Inquiring status of disability claims and assisting in moving cases forward
- Veterans and Military Personnel
- Recovering entitled veterans benefits and pension payments
- Assisting with questions regarding burials
- Obtaining service medals
- Helping active-duty service members with pay concerns or transfers
- Submitting requests to receive your DD214
- Immigration Services
- Assisting with visa emergencies
- Helping with immigration delays
- Assisting with emergencies abroad
- Delivering status updates on pending petitions
- Passport Services
- Assisting receiving passports in emergency situations
- Helping deliver delayed passports
- Facilitating passport appointments
- Business Owners and Nonprofits
- Offering letters of support for federal grants
- Delivering updates on grant opportunities
- Assisting and educating organizations on the grant application process
- Assisting with communication between constituents and the Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Visiting D.C.
- Providing tickets to some D.C. attractions including tours of the U.S. Capitol and the White House
- Government Employees
- Helping retired employees receive pensions and other benefits
- Facilitating response to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claims
- U.S. Postal Service
- Assisting with PO box and mailing facility issues
- Taxes and the IRS
- Assisting with communication between constituents and the IRS
- Assisting with communication between constituents and the Taxpayer Advocate Service
While my office and I are eager to assist you, there are some instances in which we cannot intervene, including:
- Cases for individuals residing outside New York’s 20th congressional district
- Cases concerning anyone other than the individual needing assistance
- Requiring an agency to expedite your case, overturning an agency’s decision or forcing an agency to act in your favor
- Partaking in any legal dispute or providing legal advice
- Assisting with state or local government issues
To learn more about what help my office can and cannot provide, check out my Frequently Asked Questions page for constituent services. Additionally, due to the Privacy Act of 1974, member offices must receive written authorization before we can obtain information about an individual’s case. If you need help with a federal agency and would like our assistance, you must first fill out a privacy release form.
With that overview in mind, I want to hear from you!
What constituent services would you like to learn more about? How can my office and I best help and inform you this year? Let me know by taking a couple of minutes to complete the following survey!
[Click above image to open survey in web browser]
If you have any questions regarding this information or about anything else, please do not hesitate to contact my office. You can also remain informed by following my social media accounts on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram at @RepPaulTonko.
As we head into the new year, I am ready and eager to continue working on behalf of our Capital Region and all who call it home.
Thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- The Social Security Administration (SSA) has resources available to help individuals conduct Social Security business in languages other than English.
- SSA offers free interpreter services in more than 200 languages.
- Customers can obtain these services by calling SSA’s toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 or by visiting a local office and asking for an interpreter.
- SSA’s website provides online resources in Spanish, including information about retirement benefits, disability benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
- Instructions for applying for a Social Security Number card are available in 17 languages, including English and Spanish.
- SSA also offers many of their publications in languages other than English. You can check out the Social Security Information in Other Languages page to view these resources, which include:
- Social Security Number for Non-Citizens
- Understanding the Benefits
- A sample Social Security Statement and 10 supplemental fact sheets
- You can learn more about SSA’s commitment to increase access to benefits and services for customers with limited English proficiency in their Language Access Plan.
