What is casework?

What areas can Congressman Ellsworth provide assistance?

How do I open a case?

What's the best way to contact Congressman Ellsworth about my case?

How will my case be handled?



What is casework?
In many cases, directly contacting a federal agency or visiting its website will provide you with answers to your questions or help you resolve your problem with the agency. However, there are times when you may need additional help. I can open a case for you and contact the federal agency on your behalf.  While my staff and I try our best to help every Hoosier, please keep in mind that the federal agencies give the final decision on all cases. Although I cannot guarantee an outcome in your favor nor overturn a final decision, my staff and I will do everything we can to assure a fair and timely consideration of your case.

Please note: If you are seeking assistance with a matter involving a lawsuit or litigation, my staff and I are prohibited from giving legal advice or intervening in legal proceedings.



What areas can Congressman Ellsworth provide assistance?
My staff and I can assist you in resolving problems with all federal departments, independent agencies, and government corporations. Below are some of the agencies that most constituents contact us about. You can also click on the agency to go straight to its website.

Veteran's Affairs
My office can help veterans file claims, determine eligibility for coverage or learn about medical coverage policies. We can also provide assistance in recovering service medals that were lost or never received by 8th District veterans.

Internal Revenue Service            
If you're having difficulty with the IRS, my office can direct you to people trained to resolve unsettled disputes, provide you with general tax information, and contact the IRS on your behalf.

Social Security                               
My office can help resolve problems you may have with the Social Security Administration, such as lost or delayed checks, status of disability applications, application procedures for Social Security, survivor benefits, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Medicare                                          
My office can provide information and assistance on the Medicare prescription drug benefit, Medicare eligibility, coverage and the status of reimbursement disputes. 

Passports
My office can provide assistance to constituents trying to obtain passports for fast-approaching travel plans.

Overseas Adoption                                     
My office can provide assistance to constituents adopting children overseas by providing information about the adoption process, checking on the status of your case, or contacting the U.S. consulate on your behalf. 

Other Useful Links:
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Immigration and Naturalization Service
US Department of Agriculture
US Department of Labor

Please note: If you are seeking assistance with a matter involving a lawsuit or litigation, my staff and I are prohibited from giving legal advice or intervening in legal proceedings. 

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How do I open a case? 
Once you have determined that your case involves a federal agency, you will need to follow the steps below to open your case:

• 1. Complete a Privacy Act Release Form -- Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, I need your written permission before I can contact any agency on your behalf.
  
• 2. A clear and concise letter describing the matter about which you request help. Be sure to include a daytime phone number and address in case my staff needs additional information, any identification numbers such as your social security number, date of birth and case or file numbers, and photocopies of any other documents that can support your case.
  
• 3. Send all of the documents to one of my district offices.
  

To follow-up on a request you already submitted, please feel free to call either of my district offices. 

How will my case be handled?
Once we have received your request and privacy release form, a member of my staff will contact the federal agency on your behalf. The response time will vary depending on the nature and complexity of your request. When we receive a response from the agency, a member of my staff will notify you about the decision via phone, letter or email.

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