Senator Benjamin L. Cardin - U.S. Senator for Maryland
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Frequently asked questions regarding issues of concern to my constituents are listed below along with web sites that can provide you with assistance. Some federal departments also list jobs that are advertized on their web sites. For a list of all federal departments and agencies, you can visit www.firstgov.gov. If you still have questions or need additional help after reviewing this information, please call my State Office, 410-962-4436.

Jump to: Employer/employment questions | Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid | Legal Documents | Family Assistance | Housing | Veterans | Postal
Higher Education Loans and Grants | Tax questions | Doing Business with the Federal Government | Consumer questions

Employer/employment question

Federal jobs are now advertized and applied to online either through www.usajobs.gov or through the individual federal departments at: www.usa.gov

My employer is harassing me or discriminating against me. What can I do?
www.eeoc.gov

I work in a federal office and have filed a claim for workers compensation. How do I find out the status of my claim?
Office of Workers Compensation, 1-866-962-7487 or www.dol.gov/esa

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Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid questions

How can I get a new or replacement Social Security card?
www.ssa.gov/onlineservices

For questions regarding Medicare and Medicaid, go to:
www.cms.hhs.gov

How can I apply for Social Security disability?
www.ssa.gov

Where can I find information on my Social Security benefit?
www.ssa.gov

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Legal Documents

How do I get a birth, marriage or death certificate?
www.vitalchek.com (Note: this is not a government site and there is a fee for this service)

Where can I find information and forms concerning passports, visas and overseas travel advisories?
www.travel.state.gov

Where can I find information on citizenship and immigration?
www.uscis.gov

How do I get a new or a replacement Social Security card?
ssa.gov

How do I obtain copies of my military service records?
www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html

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Family Assistance

How can I find out about federal benefits for which I may be eligible?
www.benefits.gov

Where can I get information about child support, medical assistance and energy assistance programs?
These programs are administered by the State of Maryland. dhr.stat.md.us

Where can I get help paying my gas and electric bill?
Contact the Office of the Maryland People's Council at 1-800-207-4055 or www.opc.state.md.us

I am concerned that my child and/or my home may have high levels of lead. How do get my child or my home tested?
www.leadsafe.org

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Housing questions

Where can I get help to avoid foreclosure on my home or assistance with my mortgage?
www.hud.gov/news/fhasecure.cfm, www.MDHOPE.org or 877-462-7555

Where do I apply for Section 8 or public housing?
www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states.md.cfm

How do I file a housing discrimination complaint?
www.hud.gov/copmplaints/housediscrim.cfm

I am about to be evicted, what should I do?
Contact Baltimore Neighborhoods, Inc. at 1-800-487-6007 or www.bni-maryland.org for information on your rights and responsibilities under Maryland law. If you live in Montgomery County, you should contact Montgomery County's Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs at 240-777-3600.

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Veterans questions

Where can I find information on federal benefits for veterans and dependents?
www1.va.gov/opa/vadocs/fedben.pdf, www.vba.va.gov

How do I find if I am eligible for VA Health Care?
www.va.gov/healtheligibility

How do I appeal the VA's decision on my disability claim?
www.va.gov/vbs/bva/pamphlet.htm

I am a returning service member from Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF), what can the VA do for me?
www.seamlesstransition.va.gov/index

How can I upgrade my military discharge?
www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/correcting-records.html

Where can I find information about TRICARE?
www.tricare.osd.mil

How do I obtain copies of military service records?
www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html

Where can I find information about family coverage under military healthcare plans?
www.usfhp.org

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U.S. Postal Service

What do I do if I am having problems with my mail?
Contact the United States Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777

What do I do if I suspect my mail has been stolen?
Contact the United States Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455

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Higher Education Loans and Grants

How where can I get information on how to finance my child's college education?
www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov, www.mhec.state.md.us

Who should I contact for help with my Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form?
Contact the U.S. Department of Education at the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243

What should I do if I have questions about my student loan?
Contact the U.S. Department of Education at the Defaulted Loans Office (1-800-621-3115) or the Loan Consolidations Office (1-800-557-7392)

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Tax questions

Who qualifies for the economic stimulus payment?
www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=177937,00.html

How can I get an extension on my tax return?
www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc304.html

How can I get help in resolving a tax dispute with the IRS?
www.irs.gov/localcontacts/article/0,,id=98284,00.html

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Doing Business with the Federal Government

Where can I find business opportunities with the federal government?
The most comprehensive sites are: www.fbo.gov; www.gsa.gov; and www.defenselink.mil/other_info/business.html

How can I do business with the federal government?
www.mdptap.umd.edu

How can I find out about federal grants?
www.grants.gov

How do I start a business?
www.sba.gov or www.mdsbdc.umd.edu

How can I get help in financing my business or in getting certified 8(A)/Small Disadvantaged Business?
www.sba.gov

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Consumer questions

How can I get help in resolving a consumer dispute?
www.oag.state.md.us/Consumer/index.htm

How can I report consumer fraud?
www.ftc.gov/bcp/index.shtml

I think my identity has been stolen. What should I do?
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

Questions regarding land-line telephone issues and utility rates should be directed to the Maryland Public Service Commission.
www.opc.state.md.us or 1-800-207-4055

My long distance phone carrier was switched without my consent. What should I do?
www.psc.state.md.us/psc/Info/brochures/slamming.htm

What do I need to do to be ready for the Digital Television (DTV) transition?
www.dtv.gov

How can I get on the National Do Not Call Registry?
www.fcc.gov/cgb/donotcall

Where can I find federal government property for sale?
www.govsales.gov

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