Services Index L - Z
See Services Index A - K

Mail Fraud & Pornography
If you would like to report suspected mail fraud, or have received pornography in the mail and want to make sure it doesn't happen again, the Postal Service will help you.  Information on what to do is available on the Postal Service Web site.  If you would like Congressman Pitts' assistance in this, feel free to contact either of his Pennsylvania offices.
Report Mail Fraud to the USPS
USPS Web Page on Pornographic Mail
Form for Stopping Pornographers from Sending You Mail (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)
Contact Congressman Pitts

Medicare
Every American senior is entitled to health insurance through Medicare.  The program isn't free, though, and you'll need to do certain things to sign up (before reaching retirement age) and get the benefits you are entitled to.  The program is run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and administered locally by your Social Security office.  If you're having trouble with Medicare, Congressman Pitts will be happy to try and help you.
How the new Medicare bill affects your coverage
Medicare Web site
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Military Academy Appointments
America has five service academies that train and prepare future generations of leaders.  To apply to the United States Military Academy (West Point), the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis), the United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs), or the United States Merchant Marine Academy (King's Point), you will need to be nominated.  No nomination is required to apply to the Coast Guard Academy.   To start the process, please fill out this form and fax it to my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2013, ATTN: Mary O'Connor.  For more information about the nomination process, please call my Washington office.  For more information about the academies, please click on of the following links:
United States Military Academy Web site (Army)
United States Naval Academy Web site (Navy and Marines)
United States Air Force Academy Web site
United States Merchant Marine Academy Web site
United States Coast Guard Academy Web Site
Contact information for Congressman Pitts

Military Service issues
If you are in uniform, Congressman Pitts encourages you to follow the chain of command in dealing with issues pertaining to your enlistment or commission.  Likewise, if you are the the parent or spouse of someone who has concerns about their service, Congressman Pitts advises you to encourage them to first address their concerns through the chain of command.  In those cases where you feel it is appropriate to request assistance from the Congressman, he will attempt to assist you in every way appropriate.
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Military Service Medals/Military Service Records
If you are a veteran who earned a medal but never received it, or received a medal but lost it, you may apply to the appropriate service branch for the medal in question.  You may also apply for a replacement copy of your service record (DD-214).  Detailed information on how to do this is available at the National Archives and Records Administration's Web site.  Processing time is slow, averaging 14 to 16 weeks.  If you would like Congressman Pitts to check on your application or to help you in some other way, he and his staff will be happy to do what they can.
National Personnel Records Center Web page
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Page Program
Congressional pages are high school students who live, work, and attend school in Washington for several months.  They play an important role in the life and work of Congress, calling members to votes, acting as couriers, and performing other duties.  Selection is highly competitive, and only present high school sophomores and juniors may apply.  Juniors may only apply for the summer program.  Applications are available annually at the and of January and are due by mid March.  For more information, contact the Congressman's Washington office.
Contact information

Passports
If you plan to travel abroad, you will need a passport.  Passports are issued by the U.S. Department of State.  It is important to note that because of new security regulations requiring a passport for all foreign travel in the Western Hemisphere (including Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean), normal passport application turnaround time is around 12 weeks.  The only exceptions are children traveling by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean.  Children under age 16 traveling with a parent and children ages 16-18 traveling with a school or athletic group can use a birth certificate.  All air travel abroad, regardless of age, now requires a passport.  The State Department strongly urges travelers to obtain a passport before booking nonrefundable foreign air travel.  Congressman Pitts can help you expedite your application if necessary, but the State Department will charge you a fee for the service.  For more information on how to apply for a passport, including a search engine for passport offices near you, see the Department of State Web page.
Department of State Passports Web page
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Pension Benefits
If you have a problem regarding your pension, the federal government may be able to assist you.  For most people, the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration is the right agency to contact.  If you are a federal government employee or retiree, you'll need to contact the Office of Personnel Management. If you have already contacted one of these agencies, and would like to ask Congressman Pitts to follow up for you, he'll be happy to.
Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration Web site
Office of Personnel Management Web site
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Postal Service Problems
The United States Postal Service is a quasi-independent agency of the federal government, run like a business.  The postmaster at your local post office can help you with most issues.  If you have a concern you would like Congressman Pitts to help you address, he and his staff will be happy to work with you.  The USPS Web site can answer most of your questions and includes a search engine for finding post offices and their phone numbers.
USPS Web site
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Public Transportation
Amtrak Web site
Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) Web page (Lancaster)
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Web page (Chester County)
Berks Area Reading Transit Authority (BARTA) Web page (Berks County)
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Road Problems
While the federal government provides funds for road construction and repair, roads are the responsibility of state and local (municipal) governments.  Many bridges, especially smaller bridges, are the responsibility of county government.  Generally speaking, if your issue concerns an interstate highway (e.g, I-76), a U.S. Route (e.g., Route 1, Route 30), or a Pennsylvania Route (e.g., Route 100, Route 272), you will need help from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  If your issue concerns the street you live on or another smaller road, you will probably need help from your municipal (township, borough, or city) government.  If you aren't sure, Congressman Pitts can help you.
State Road Issues
Municipal Road Issues
County Bridge Issues
Contact Congressman Pitts

Small Business Issues
Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and employ more people than big businesses or the government do.  If you own a small business, or would like to start one, the federal government's Small Business Administration can help you with advice, loans, and other things.  Small businesses frequently have to deal with other federal agencies like the Department of Labor, the IRS, and the EPA.  If you are starting or already own a small business and need help from Congressman Pitts, he'll be happy to work with you.
Department of Labor elaws (employment laws assistance for workers & small businesses)
Small Business Administration Web site
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Social Security
Virtually every American contributes to Social Security throughout their life, and then relies on it to help them retire.  If you are preparing to retire or have general questions, there is a Social Security office near you that is prepared to help you.  If you are having trouble with Social Security and would like to ask Congressman Pitts to help you, he and his staff will be happy to do what they can.
Social Security Administration Web site
Find the nearest Social Security office
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Student Financial Aid
The federal government has programs to help students afford college.  The best source for advice and information is the financial aid office at the school you are applying to.  All applicants for financial aid will need to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.  The U.S. Department of Education and FinAid.org have great online resources.  If you have a problem pertaining to a federal student aid program, Congressman Pitts will be happy to try to help you.
Get help with your Student Loans! 
Department of Education Web site
FinAid.org Web site
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Tax Problems
If you are having a problem with your taxes, Congressman Pitts can either help you or direct you to someone who can.
Problems with federal taxes (the IRS)
Problems with your Pennsylvania taxes
Problems with your School District Taxes
Problems with your County taxes
Problems with your City, Borough, or Township taxes

Tours
Washington, DC is one of America's best tourist destinations.  If you are planning a trip to Washington, and would like to arrange a tour of the Capitol, the White House, the Pentagon, or another institution, please call Congressman Pitts' Washington office, and his staff will be happy to help you plan that part of your vacation.  Due to high demand and limited space for White House tours, it is best to submit requests as early as possible (up to six months in advance).
Congressman Pitts' Welcome to Washington brochure
Online Tour Request Form
Contact Information for Congressman Pitts' Washington office

Transportation Issues
The federal government is involved in one way or another with highway, train, boat, and plane transportation.  In some cases, as with highways, the federal government regulates some things and helps with funding, while primary responsibility for the roads lies with state and local government.  In other cases, as with air travel, the federal government has more direct authority.  If you would like help with a transportation issue, Congressman Pitts can either help you or direct you to someone who can.
Amtrak Web site
Department of Transportation Web site
Contact Congressman Pitts for general information
See Road Problems

Unemployment Compensation
If you are unemployed, you may qualify for temporary unemployment compensation.  This program is administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Therefore, the best person to help you will be your state senator or state representative who represent you in Harrisburg.
Department of Labor elaws (employment laws assistance for workers & small businesses)
Find help with unemployment compensation

Veterans Benefits
As a Vietnam-era combat veteran himself, Congressman Pitts knows full well the debt America owes to those who served.  The federal government has many programs to help veterans.  If you need Congressman Pitts' help with a problem you are having with the Department of Veterans Affairs ("The VA") or another agency, he and his staff will do all they can to help.
Department of Veterans Affairs Web site
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Welfare Benefits
If you are struggling to make ends meet, you may qualify for temporary help from the government.  This program is run by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and not the federal government, so you'll need to contact the persons who represent you in Harrisburg.
Find help with welfare benefits

White House Tours
See Tours

Workers' Compensation
If you have been injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers compensation.  Unless you are a federal government employee, however, you will need to work with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and not the federal government.  If, however, you are a federal employee, you will need to apply for benefits through a federal office.  Information for federal employees is available from the Office of Workers Compensation Programs Web site.  If you have applied for federal benefits and are encountering problems, Congressman Pitts will be happy to try to help you.
Department of Labor elaws (employment laws assistance for workers & small businesses)
I don't work for the federal government
Office of Workers Compensation Programs Web site
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Youth Advisory Council
Congressman Joseph Pitts has created a Youth Advisory Council to allow students to interact with representatives of government and see how their classroom studies apply to real-world situations.  High school juniors and seniors are eligible to participate. Applications to apply for the Council are distributed to district Government and History teachers each spring. For more information contact Mary O'Connor in Congressman Pitts' Washington office.
Contact information for Congressman Pitts' Washington office