About this Guide

Your member of Congress is supposed to work for you.

Whether you voted for them or not, representatives and senators have district and state offices that are there to help people in the community get access to services and solve problems with federal agencies.

A district office (for House members) or state office (for Senate members) acts as the direct point of contact between you and the federal government. These offices are staffed with a team that specializes in constituent services to assist with issues related to federal programs and agencies.

These services may include helping you navigate immigration applications, resolve problems with Social Security benefits, access veterans' services, or find disaster relief assistance. Constituent services staff act as advocates on your behalf, working with federal agencies like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Social Security Administration (SSA), the VA, or the IRS to ensure that your concerns are addressed in a timely manner.

This toolkit is for anyone, especially those who:

• Have never reached out to a Congressional office before

• Are navigating systems like veterans' benefits, Social Security, immigration, disaster recovery, or health coverage

• Want to stay safe while asking for help

• Want to share their story or push for change

Please note that this is general information, not legal advice. Congressional offices can play a key role in connecting constituents and helping them navigate complex bureaucratic systems. However, the assistance of a lawyer can be helpful for resolving problems with your application, benefits, or your individual case, especially for cases involving immigration or the criminal-legal system.

Table of Contents

About this Guide

What They Can’t Do

Timelines & Response Expectations

Asking for More Than Just Help

House District Offices vs. Senate State Offices

Sharing Your Story

How to Contact Your Member’s Office to Request Help

What a Congressional Office Can Help You With

• Social Security

• Health & Disability Benefits

• Support for Community-Based Organizations

• Help for Families & Communities

• Military & Veterans Support

• IRS & Taxes

• Immigration, Visas, & Federal Travel Processes

Tips for Getting the Help You Need

Engaging on Sensitive Topics with Care

Tools & Samples

• Casework Checklist

• Safety Checklist

• Sample Message to a Member of Congress

• Sample Call Script to a Congressional Office