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Eliot's E-mail Updates
Constituent Services
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Constituent Services
Step 1 -- Introduction to Casework
How Can I Help You?Providing assistance to my constituents is one of my most important duties as your representative in Congress, and I am always happy to provide you with casework service. Typical requests for casework involve lost documents or a federal agency dragging its feet in getting you the help you need.
Before contacting me for aid, it is important that you first try to work with the federal agency you are having trouble with. These agencies are helpful and responsive, and most issues can be solved by contacting them in writing. However, if you find that contacting them does not yield results, I would be happy to advocate on your behalf.
To determine whether I can help you with your situation or if you need to find assistance elsewhere, please proceed to the next step "Casework Determination."
As always, if you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Step 2 -- Determining How I Can Help
Is this casework or not?I am able to assist you with a casework request as long as it deals with a federal agency, or one that reports to the executive branch. Some examples of federal agencies:
- Social Security Administration
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA)
- U.S. Postal Service
I am only authorized to help you with issues involving these federal agencies after you have tried handling the issue through the agency first. Most federal agencies are helpful and responsive and would be happy to provide the aid you need. However, if after you have contacted them in writing you still do not get results, I would be glad to provide the help you need.
And although I will try my best to help you in any way I can, the federal agency with whom you are dealing always has the final say in the matter. Please also keep in mind that I am unable to provide you with legal assistance or act as your legal counselor or representative. Because of the constitutional separation of powers, I do not have the authority to intervene in judicial matters such as criminal court proceedings, civil disputes, or deportation hearings.
Local and State IssuesThere are many issues affecting constituents that cannot be solved at the national level, but can be solved at the local level. If you are having trouble with a state agency, you should contact your representative in the New York State Senate or Assembly or your local representative. Some examples of local or state issues:
- Child support
- Criminal and police investigations
- Worker's compensation
- Housing or rent issues
- Lost or stolen driver's licenses or other important state documentation
To find your State Senator by ZIP code, click here. To find your State Assembly member by ZIP code, click here.
Step 3 -- How to Open a Case
Once you contact me, I can begin to assist youAfter you have determined that your request is something we can help you with, fill out a request form and fax or mail it to one of my district offices, or deliver it in person. The Privacy Act of 1974 does not allow our office to assist you until you have filled out this form which releases information to our office from the agency with which you are having trouble. Be sure to attach a brief description of the problem and any documents you have pertaining to your case. This may include medical documentation, financial records, letters of support, and recent correspondence with the agency. Click here for a PDF version of the casework request and authorization form.
Casework is typically handled at my district offices in the Bronx, Westchester, or Rockland. To put in a casework request, contact the district office that is closest to you and be sure to provide as much information as possible so we can help you as quickly and as effectively as we can. You can do this by either calling the office or filling out the Casework Authorization Form and faxing it or bringing it into one of my offices.
Bronx District Office
3655 Johnson Ave.
Bronx, NY 10463
Phone: (718) 769-9700
Fax: (718) 796-5134Rockland District Office
261 West Nyack Road
West Nyack, NY 10994
Phone: (845) 735-1000
Fax: (845) 735-1963
Westchester District Office
6 Gramatan Ave., Suite 205
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Phone: (914) 699-4100
Fax: (914) 699-3646It is a privilege to serve you and help you get the federal aid you need. Once we receive the document, please allow a few days for my office to contact you about your request, and we can begin addressing your concern as quickly as possible.
Sincerely,
Congressman Eliot L. Engel
Constituent Services
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111th Congress E-Newsletters
World AIDS Day 2010; December 1, 2010
Rep. Engel - Remember Our Brave Heroes This Veterans Day; November 11, 2010
Rep. Engel - Fighting for Social Security Increase for Seniors; October 31, 2010
Rep. Engel - Ways to Keep Kids Safe on Halloween; October 30, 2010
Rep. Engel - Protecting The Hyatt Avenue Region; October 29, 2010
Rep. Engel - Sculpture To Honor Hudson River School Painters; October 29, 2010
Rep. Engel - 100% Rating from the Human Rights Campaign; October 29, 2010
Rep. Engel - Working For Veterans; October 27, 2010
Rep. Engel - Congress Provides More Opportunities For Veterans to Go to College; October 27, 2010
Rep. Engel - Proud to Provide Historic Funding For Veterans; October 27, 2010
Rep. Engel Supports Passage of 9-11 Health Bill; October 24, 2010
Rep. Engel - Providing Constituent Service for Seniors; October 24, 2010
111th Congress Update; August 4, 2010
Reflecting On Civil Rights On Martin Luther King Day; January 18, 2010
Rep. Engel Supports Homes for Heroes Veteran Housing; August 4, 2010
Congress Continues to Create and Save More American Jobs; August 3, 2010
Results From Rep. Engel's Opinion Poll; June 16, 2010
National Men's Health Week and Father's Day 2010; June 16, 2010
Product Safety Commission Important Aid for Product Recalls; June 15, 2010
Rep. Engel Provides Funding for Mount Vernon First Responders; June 11, 2010
Asthma Awareness Month 2010; May 28, 2010
New York Needs Improved Census Participation; May 16, 2010
Winners Announced for the Congressional Art Contest; May 12, 2010
Honoring Mothers on Mother's Day and Beyond; May 9, 2010
Earth Day 2010 - 40th Anniversary; April 22, 2010
Rep. Engel Continues Fight Against FAA Airspace Redesign; April 19, 2010
Tax Day Approaching - Dont' Forget To File; April 5, 2010
The 2010 Census: 10 Questiosn, 10 Minutes; April 1, 2010
2010 Congressional Art Contest; March 18, 2010
Women's History Month - 2010; March 10, 2010
New Credit Card Regulations To Protect Consumers; March 4, 2010
February is Heart Health Month; February 24, 2010
Black History Month 2010; February 21, 2010
Haitian Earthquake Relief - How You Can Help; January 31, 2010
Opinion Poll 2010 - District 17; January 28, 2010
Reflecting On Civil Rights On Martin Luther King Day; January 18, 2010
H1N1 Virus Vaccination Information; December 23, 2009
Seniors Social Security Guarantee; December 18, 2009
Lung Cancer Awareness; December 6, 2009
World AIDS Day 2009; December 1, 2009
Veterans Day 2009; November 11, 2009
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2009; October 29, 2009
Remembering 9-11, Eight Years Later; September 11, 2009
Rep. Engel Keeps Fighting To Stop Airspace Redesign; September 2, 2009
Rep. Engel's Western Hemisphere Update; August 31, 2009
The Truth About Health Care Reform; August 27, 2009
Healthcare Tele Town Hall; August 18, 2009
Engel Works With President Obama on Energy; July 21, 2009
On Independence Day, Remember Equal Rights for All Americans; July 4, 2009
On Father's Day, Remind Dad To Get A Check-Up; June 21, 2009
Engel and Secretary LaHood Discuss Transportation Issues; June 18, 2009
DTV Deadline - Friday, June 12; June 10, 2009
Terror Comes To 17th District; May 31, 2009
Remembering our Veterans on Memorial Day; May 25, 2009
Mothers Day 2009; May 10, 2009
National Teacher Appreciation Week; May 6, 2009
Swine Influenza and You; April 28, 2009
Earth Day 2009; April 21, 2009
National Day of Silence; April 15, 2009
Tax Season 2009; April 8, 2009
Mach is Irish History Month; March 24 2009
Women's History Month - Great Strides for Women; March 22, 2009
Economic Recovery Package To Benefit Everyone; March 13, 2009
Engel Pushes For A New, Improved FAA; March 11, 2009
DTV Delay A Necessity; February 23, 2009
A Historic Black History Month; February 20, 2009
Engel Swearing In Ceremony on Sunday; January 22, 2009
History made in Washington; January 20, 2009