| Constituent Services - FAQ's |
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I have a problem with a State of Alaska agency. Can I get help from Senator Stevens?
No, but his offices can refer you to the appropriate State agency or Governor’s office for help.
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I was recently denied an Office of Workers' Compensation Program claim, I have filled out all their paperwork and given all they ask for, what do I do now?
Gather all relevant information on your case, and organize your thoughts and paperwork. Once you determine what sort of information the Office of Workers’ Compensation Program seeks, make sure to write a letter to the senator asking for help with your case. Make sure to include your claim number, and what you have done to help resolve the problem.
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MEDICARE: Medicare seems very complicated and I am not sure where to look for help.
If constituents have access to the Internet, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website is a wealth of information and is located at: www.medicare.gov. For specific information, contact the Senator’s office to help.
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MEDICARE: I am having a Medicare billing problem. What kind of help can the Senator give me?
Provide the Senator with facts related to your billing problem, including correspondence from Medicare, any other insurance information and your provider. By gathering all the necessary paperwork, the billing problem is usually resolved easily.
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MEDICARE: Will I still get Medicare at age 65 if I’m not yet eligible for Social Security retirement benefits?
Although the retirement age is rising, 65 remains as the starting date for Medicare eligibility. You will be eligible to apply for Medicare if you have paid into Social Security for at least 10 years or you are eligible to receive Social Security benefits on your spouse’s earnings. If you do not meet these requirements, you can still get Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) by paying a monthly premium if you are a citizen or a lawfully admitted alien who has lived in the U.S. for at least five years.
Also, anyone who is age 65 and a citizen or a lawfully admitted alien with five years of residency in the United States can sign up for Medicare Part B medical insurance and pay a monthly premium.
Be sure to sign up for Medicare about three months before you reach age 65. And remember, you do not have to be retired to enroll in Medicare.
If your problem persists with enrollment or coordination of benefits, contact one of the senator’s offices to help clarify your issue.
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Can Senator Stevens ensure a faster and favorable outcome for my specific case with a federal government agency?
House and Senate rules and laws and regulations governing federal executive agency activities closely limit interventions made on behalf of constituents. When performing casework, congressional staff cannot force an agency to expedite a case or act in favor of a constituent. However, congressional staff can intervene to facilitate the appropriate administrative processes, encourage an agency to give a case consideration, and sometimes advocate for a favorable outcome. (Source: CRS Report for Congress “Casework in a Congressional Office: Background, Rules, Laws and Resources”)
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On what types of cases can I receive help from Senator Stevens?
Typical casework requests include the following: tracking down a misdirected benefits payment; filling out a government form; applying for Social Security, veterans’, education and other federal benefits; explaining government activities or decisions; applying to a military service academy; seeking relief from a federal administrative decision; and emigrating to the U.S. or applying for U.S. citizenship. (Source: CRS Report for Congress “Casework in a Congressional Office: Background, Rules, Laws and Resources”)
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Why must I provide a written request to Senator Stevens when asking for assistance with casework involving a federal government agency?
Under the Privacy Act, each agency that maintains records containing an individuals’ personally identifiable information must have a release from that individual to share information with any other entity. In general, executive branch agencies cannot reply to a congressional inquiry without a Privacy Act release signed by the constituent requesting assistance. Most agencies will accept any signed document from a constituent stating that the constituent grants a Member of Congress access to any record held by an agency that will help resolve the constituent’s inquiry. (Source: CRS Report for Congress “Casework in a Congressional Office: Background, Rules, Laws and Resources”)
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Can Senator Stevens help me with a military problem?
Senator Stevens is committed to providing needed assistance to military constituents. The soldier, airman or corpsman should write or call Senator Stevens directly and state the best resolution to the problem, the necessary details, and the response the chain of command has given.
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I am waiting for a response from the Veterans Administration and just found out that I need serious medical care. What can I do?
Provide Senator Stevens with the necessary information from your doctor regarding your condition and the most recent correspondence you’ve received from the VA regarding your claim. We will try our best to help from there.
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