Help with a Federal Agency
Special note on the conflict in Israel: As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Intelligence Committee, I am monitoring the situation closely and connected with the State Department to assist US citizens in Israel.
My office stands ready to assist U.S. citizens and their families during the ongoing conflict in Israel.
If you know an American citizen in Israel who needs assistance, please feel free to share these resources below.
Resources for US Citizens in Israel
- U.S. citizens in Israel needing embassy support should fill out the crisis intake form here or call 1-833-890-9595.
- For the latest updates, please monitor the messages to U.S. citizens from the U.S. Embassy in Israel here.
- Any U.S. citizens in Israel should enroll their contact information. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) here.
- View updates to the travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza as they are issued here.
- The State Department has a 24/7 coordinating group that is working to assist U.S. citizens. Those seeking to be in touch with the U.S. Embassy in Israel can fill out this form or call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131.
Team Crow is here to help. You can always reach out to my office in Aurora for assistance by calling (720) 748-7514.
As the office of a member of the US House of Representatives, we can often act as a facilitator between constituents and federal agencies through a congressional inquiry to request attention to your case by the agency officials. We cannot force specific action, influence a decision, or submit new information an agency for you, but we can try to gather information and request fair consideration of any application or case that you have opened with a federal agency.
In order to begin that process, we need a privacy release form. This is a process that protects your information – the agency cannot give any of your information to our office without your permission, and the only way we can prove that you have given us that permission is to provide this form to the agency as part of the inquiry. You can complete the form online, no paper or pen needed!
How can Congressman Crow's team help?
We can help:
- Assist with obtaining your federal tax refund or other money owed
- Get questions answered about IRS notifications and issues
We cannot:
- Get involved in legal matters and matters before the jurisdictions of any courts
- Overturn an IRS decision or force the IRS to take a specific action on your behalf
- Submit an application on your behalf or assist with preparing one
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for Seniors
The IRS also offers free tax help through their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
More information about these programs are available in this document.
You can find a site near you using this Location Finder and how to best prepare on the What to Bring page.
Fraud Awareness
If something sounds too good to be true, it might be. Phishing scams to obtain personal and financial information, tax schemes, and abusive retirement plans are all different ways that bad actors may try to commit fraud. The IRS has materials to help you learn more about tax fraud and how to stay safe, here.
More Resources and Services
How can Congressman Crow's team help?
We can help with:
- Medicare coverage and contributions
- Retirement
- Disability income (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Survivor benefits - spouses and children
- Appeals for any of the benefits listed above or for over/under payments
- Requesting a benefit letter
You can apply for Social Security online here or by calling their national number: 1-800-772-1213.
We cannot:
- Get involved in legal matters and matters before the jurisdictions of any courts
- Overturn an SSA decision or force them to take a specific action on your behalf
- Submit an application on your behalf or assist with preparing one
Further, we recommend that you start by reaching out to your local Social Security office to see if they can help address your concerns. Please search for your local office here. The toll-free “office” number is your local office. Local Social Security offices are available for walk-in service; however, they encourage applicants to schedule in-person appointments in advance if possible to avoid long wait times.
How can Congressman Crow's team help?
We can help:
- Get status updates on passport or immigration cases
- Get questions answered about the process
We cannot:
- Get involved in legal matters and matters before the jurisdictions of any courts
- Overturn a decision or force an agency to take a specific action on your behalf
- Submit an application on your behalf or assist with preparing one
For Passports, if your travel is set to commence within the next 2 weeks, we might be able to offer assistance. Given the overwhelming number of passport inquiries, we are currently focusing our resources on the most urgent cases where travel is planned within a span of 5 days. However, please note that while we can't guarantee the delivery of your passport, we assure you that we will put forth our best efforts to help expedite the process.
How can Congressman Crow's team help?
We can help:
- Get status updates on pending issues with a service branch or the VA
- Get questions answered about benefits
We cannot:
- Get involved in legal matters and matters before the jurisdictions of any courts
- Overturn a decision or force an agency to take a specific action on your behalf
- Submit an application on your behalf or assist with preparing one
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs FAQs:
Where can I find more information about federal benefits for veterans?
Where can I find more information about state benefits for veterans?
How can I apply for a medal, award, or decoration I earned while serving?
Veterans Resources In Colorado’s 6th Congressional District:
Find a different Veterans Services Office near you: Click here
Military Personnel and Families:
- Information about TRICARE, the military's health care program.
- Military OneSource: Information about topics such as deployment, reunion, relationships, grief, spouse employment and education, parenting and childhood services.
Here's a list of frequently asked questions about casework, including information on timelines, what to expect when working with the office, and other common concerns:
What is casework, and how can a congressional office help with it?
Casework is the process of assisting constituents with issues related to federal agencies, such as problems with Social Security benefits, immigration issues, or difficulties with the VA. Congressional offices can start cases by submitting congressional inquiries on behalf of constituents.
How long does it take to resolve a casework request?
The timeline for resolving a casework request can vary depending on the complexity of the issue and the responsiveness of the federal agency involved. In some cases, responses to congressional inquiries are received quickly, while others may take several weeks or months.
What can I expect when working with a congressional office on a casework request?
When you submit a casework request to a congressional office, a caseworker will typically reach out to you to discuss your issue in more detail and gather any necessary information or documentation. They will then work with federal agencies on your behalf to try to resolve the issue.
What types of issues can a congressional office help with?
Congressional offices can assist with a wide range of issues related to federal agencies, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, immigration issues, veterans' benefits, and problems with the IRS, among others.
Can a congressional office help with issues related to state or local government?
No, congressional offices can only assist with issues related to federal agencies. If you have an issue with state or local government, you should contact your state or local elected officials for assistance.
Is there a fee for casework assistance from a congressional office?
No, there is no fee for casework assistance from a congressional office. This is a service that congressional offices provide to their constituents free of charge.
How can I follow up on the status of my casework request?
You can typically follow up on the status of your casework request by contacting the congressional office that is working on your case. They can provide you with updates on the progress of your case and any next steps that need to be taken.
Will my personal information be kept confidential when working with a congressional office on a casework request?
Yes, congressional offices take the privacy of their constituents very seriously and are legally required to keep your personal information confidential. They will only share your information as necessary to resolve your issue with relevant parties that are also legally required to maintain privacy.