Help with a Federal Agency

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Residents of California’s 12th Congressional District can contact the Office of Congresswoman Lateefah Simon for assistance with federal agencies. There are many areas in which the Office of Congresswoman Lateefah Simon can be of assistance. These include, but are not limited to:

• U.S. Passports/ State Department/Consular Issues
• U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services
• Social Security Administration
• Medicare/Medicaid
• Military Benefits
• Veterans Benefits
• Federal Taxes
• Federal Housing Issues
• Federal Retiree Benefits
• Federal Workers' Compensation
• U.S. Postal Service Issues
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Issues
• Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Issues
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Issues

If you cannot get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, the Office of Congresswoman Lateefah Simon 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.

To find out more about how we can help, you may contact my office for further information at 510-763-0370 or email ca12casework@mail.house.gov. A caseworker will evaluate your situation and, if necessary, instruct you on how to fill out a privacy waiver requesting casework.

In order to initiate a casework request, you must fill out and sign a Privacy Release Form. The link below will generate a printable pdf document that you can sign and mail, fax, or deliver in person to our office. 

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.

Submit Your Casework Request Here

Please include all pertinent information and claim numbers in your correspondence, such as:

• Your Social Security number for a case involving Social Security Agency;
• VA claim number for a case with Department of Veterans Affairs;
• Taxpayer or Employer 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.

Frequently Asked Casework Questions

Which issues need to be referred to other non-federal entities?

• Legal matters: 
  • Prison/Requests: Our office can refer requests to the State of California, Pardons and Paroles, but we are unable to endorse any requests. 
• Schools: These issues should be referred to the School Principal, School Superintendent, School District Board of Directors, Alameda County Office of Education or the California Department of Education. 
• Section 8/GRAFA Housing: Our office cannot guarantee any individual a voucher. Applicants must call and/or apply to get on the housing voucher list once the area has opened. Our office can inquire about the status or clarification of an approved, denied, or submitted housing voucher application with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 
• City/County/State Issues: Our office can refer non-federal requests to the appropriate local official and level of government. 
• Rent or Utilities Assistance – Congressional offices do not have funding for assistance. 

What can Congresswoman Simon do?

Congresswoman Simon and her team are available to assist in any matters that fall under jurisdiction as a federal representative. Your casework issue must relate to or have a direct connection with a federal agency or department. 

If a constituent is having difficulty with a state or municipal matter, our office must refer the individual to the appropriate local contact. If you are unsure of whether their issue is a federal issue, contact our office for support. 

The Office of Congresswoman Simon may be helpful in any situation where a federal agency is involved that:

• has not responded to a constituent
• has not done what it is supposed to do
• has made errors without correcting them
• has not given a constituent clear information

When can Congresswoman Simon help me?

The Office of Congresswoman Simon can assist a constituent with a federal agency issue only after the constituent has attempted to resolve the issue on their own. In most circumstances, a federal agency will be able to assist without our office's intervention. For a complete list of federal agencies and their contact information, visit https://www.usa.gov/agency-index and contact the appropriate office.

Please also consider a federal agency's standard processing times. Except in cases of significant hardship, Congressional assistance is not a means of expediting a case or bypassing an agency's established procedures. House Ethics Rules prohibit the Office of Congresswoman Lateefah Simon  from submitting a congressional inquiry inappropriately asking, or appearing to ask, for a desired or positive outcome or to circumvent agency rules.

Do I have to be a resident of California’s 12^th  Congressional District?

Yes. Members of Congress are prevented from assisting residents residing outside their Congressional District. As a matter of both professional courtesy and Congressional Ethics, it is important that Representatives assist the constituents they are duly elected to represent. Additionally, each Congressional office is allotted a limited pool of resources that are intended for use in the service of constituents.

If you need to find your Congressional Representative, visit https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.

Should I ask a Senator for help?

Yes, it is at your discretion to request assistance from your Member of Congress or your Senator. However, only one Congressional office can help with a federal issue. Duplicate cases will not speed up response times and instead, can result in the delay of the process. 

What is the process after I request assistance?

If you require assistance with a federal agency, you should first contact the Office of Congresswoman Simon for further information and complete the digital privacy release form. A caseworker will be assigned to your case and process the casework in the order in which it was received.

After you have submitted a signed privacy waiver and copies of any documentation relevant to your case, the Office of Congresswoman Simon 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. The Office of Congresswoman Simon will keep you updated on the progress of your case. You are also encouraged to remain in contact with the agency individually. 

Can Congresswoman Simon 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, the Office of Congresswoman Simon may be able to assist in seeking a rightful resolution based on the merits and reconsideration. 

It is important to remember that Congressional intervention is not a guarantee of a favorable outcome.

Can Congresswoman Simon help resolve a legal and private dispute?

No. Members of Congress are prohibited from becoming involved in legal matters, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Branch. The Office of Congresswoman Simon is also unable to recommend legal counsel. Dissatisfaction with the outcome of a legal case is not in itself grounds for an allegation of misconduct.