Help with a Federal Agency
As a Member of Congress my staff and I may assist you and make inquiries on your behalf as to the status of your case with a federal agency or department. While I can assist you in bringing your case to the attention of the proper officials and guide you through the process, I cannot direct an agency to decide a matter in your favor. The agency must make its decision within the framework of the law and existing rules and regulations.
Learn more about the casework process
My job in Congress is to help my constituents. Every day, my office receives calls from constituents who run into problems with the federal government. From stalled IRS refunds to delayed USCIS visa processing, my office is equipped to help constituents untangle their problems with the federal government.
If you ever need assistance, you can always contact our office, and we can do our best to assist you.
Casework Process
Learn more about the casework process
- Step 1: Contacting Our Office
If you have an issue with a federal agency, I invite you to contact my office. There are a few ways to do this.
You may walk into my Kent office, found at 6811 S. 204th Street, Kent, WA 98032, any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
You may also email, call our office at 425-793-5180, fax: (425) 793-5181, or physically send mail to our office.
When you contact us, it's important to share your name, address, contact information, nature of your problem, and necessary documentation.
- Step 2: Privacy Release Form
After contacting our office, one of our caseworkers will send you a privacy release form. In order for an inquiry to be made on your behalf you must fill out privacy 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.
We must have your signature to proceed with this type of request. You will be able to sign this form electronically. We recommend you email or fax the privacy release forms with wet signatures. If you are planning to mail your forms, it is preferred to not use signature required service since we are not always physically available to receive your mail in-person.
Please include your address, home phone number and daytime phone number if different from your home. Also please make sure to include a letter describing your situation and the outcome you wish for as a result of the congressional inquiry.
To fill out our online form: Online Privacy Release Form
If you are unable to access to the link above, you can download the Privacy Act Release Form.
For all immigration cases, please complete this form as well.
- Step 3: Inquiry to Agency
Once the privacy release form is received, the caseworker will send the inquiry to the appropriate agency. You will receive confirmation from our caseworker once this inquiry has been initiated.
- Step 4: Response from Agency
We allow the agency up to 30 days to provide a response. If a response has not been received, we will follow up with the agency. Once a response is received from the agency, we will contact you directly.
- Please Note:
All state and local issues must be addressed to the appropriate state and local official. If you are unsure of your state and local Representatives my staff will assist you in obtaining this information.
Please know that my office will do all it can to assist you in all areas possible. However, I cannot intervene with an ongoing criminal investigation or any issue within the Judicial Branch of government.
For additional information, you may be able to find the answer to your questions at the appropriate agency website. Below is a list of many federal agencies. If you are trying to contact a federal agency and the website is not listed below, contact my office and my staff will be happy to assist you.
- Federal Agencies
- Housing & Mortgage Assistance Resources
HUD Resource Locator – HUD database for affordable housing resources
HUD Housing Counselors — Free foreclosure prevention, credit, and homeownership counseling
HUD Approved Counseling Agencies
Phone: (202) 708-1112
Making Home Affordable (HARP/HAMP) — Mortgage refinancing and loan modification assistance
Phone: (888) 995-HOPE
Hardest Hit Fund — Mortgage payment assistance for unemployed homeowners
Phone: (800) 225-5342
Emergency Homeowners Loan Program — Up to 24 months of aid for homeowners facing foreclosure
Phone: (800) 225-5342
Washington State Foreclosure Mediation Program — Foreclosure counseling and mediation services for Washington homeowners
Phone: 1-877-894-HOME (4663)
Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) — Financial education, fraud protection, and consumer support
Washington State Department of Financial Institutions
- Federally Subsidized Housing Resources
Subsidized housing in King County for single adults and families.
Central Applications Center: 206-574-1248
Contact Section 8 staff via email here.
- Rental Assistance Resources
Keep King County Housed (KKCH): King County's rental assistance program in partnership with the United Way of King County. You can find more information here.
Individual cities may also provide rental assistance to residents, including:
- Homelessness Resources
For Immediate up-to-date lists on homeless shelter availability, please call the King County 2-1-1 hotline.
dial 2-1-1 (or 1-877-211-9274) or visit crisisconnections.org
- Identity Theft
If you’re a victim of identity theft or if your information was part of a data breach. here’s what to do:
Follow the step-by-step instructions by the Federal Trade Commission on IdentityTheft.gov
You can request free fraud alerts, credit freezes, active duty credit monitoring, and opt outs from prescreened credit offers.
The three nationwide credit bureaus and their contact information are listed here.
Additional information can be found on the “What to Do if Your Information Was Lost or Stolen, or Part of a Data Breach” webpage from the FTC.
Please also utilize a step-by-step guide from the Internal Revenue Service.
- Scams/Fraud Complaints
If you’re a victim of a scam or fraud, or are interested in receiving up to date information about the latest scams, the following information may be of interest:
The FTC has a toll free hotline at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), providing access to counselors fielding complaints and offering advice from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exception of federal holidays.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov is the federal government's website where you can report fraud, scams, and bad business practices.
Visit consumer.ftc.gov to find tips and learn how to avoid scams.
Sign up to receive FTC alerts, you’ll receive periodic updates about the latest consumer advice and scams — and what you can do to protect yourself.
FBI - Washington callers can call Seattle main office at 206-622-0460.
For all inquiries about Seattle FBI community outreach programs please visit FBI-Seattle Community Outreach Field Office
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS)
Washington Attorney General's Office
Internal Revenue Service:
Take steps to limit damage and protect yourself from further loss if you lost money or personal information to a scammer.