If you can’t get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or feel that your issue has not been resolved properly, my office is here to help. While I cannot override the decisions made by a federal agency, my staff and I can often intervene on a person’s behalf to answer questions, find solutions, or just cut through the red tape.
Please note that regardless of which federal agency you need assistance with, the Privacy Act of 1974 requires that my staff and I have written authorization before we can obtain information about an individual’s case. We must have your signature to proceed with assisting you with this type of request. Below you will find links to varying printable authorization release forms that you will need to sign and mail to my Mentor office to open a case.
You can also submit your information electronically by emailing your signed release form to DaveJoyceHelpCenter@mail.house.gov, along with any related documents as attachments.
All Other Agencies
Click here to get help with any other agency that isn’t listed below.
Department of Homeland Security
Common areas of assistance include immigrant visa petitions and naturalization applications processed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
The USCIS website has information on every type of form, addresses for USCIS offices, information on fee changes, and a place to order forms online or through the mail.
How can I find out the status of my USCIS case?
Use this tool to track the status of an immigration application, petition, or request.
How can I find out the current processing times for USCIS cases?
You can check case processing times here by selecting your form number and the office that is processing your case.
Internal Revenue Service
Common areas of assistance include tax returns, economic impact payments, and child tax credit advance payments.
Tax Returns
A tax return is a form or forms filed with the Internal Revenue Service that reports income, expenses, and other pertinent tax information. Tax returns allow taxpayers to calculate their tax liability, schedule tax payments, or request refunds for the overpayment of taxes. The IRS is currently working through a significant backlog of 2020 electronically filed returns needing review prior to being processed. Click here to check the status of your return.
Economic Impact Payments
Economic Impact Payments are funds to help people during the coronavirus pandemic. If you didn’t get the full amount of the first or second Economic Impact Payments, you may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit and must file a 2020 tax return even if you don’t normally file. The third Economic Impact Payment will not be used to calculate the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. Click here to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. For questions and answers about the third Economic Impact Payment click here. Check your payment status in the Get My Payment tool here.
Child Tax Credit Advance Payments
Important changes to the Child Tax Credit will help many families get advance payments of the credit starting this summer. The IRS will pay half the total credit amount in advance monthly payments beginning July 15. You will claim the other half when you file your 2021 income tax return. These changes apply to tax year 2021 only. For more information, to manage payments, or to submit your payment information to receive the advance CTC click here.
Social Security Administration
Common areas of assistance include Social Security retirement, Medicare enrollment, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI and SSI are both types of disability benefits with different eligibility criteria.
Retirement Benefits
Social Security is part of the retirement plan for almost every American worker. It provides replacement income for qualified retirees and their families. Click here to learn more.
Medicare Enrollment
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare too, including those with disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure.
The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. You have choices for how you get Medicare coverage. If you choose to have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage, you can buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy from a private insurance company.
For more information click here.
Disability Benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.
Supplemental Security Income pays benefits based on financial need.
For more information on both programs click here.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Common areas of assistance include VA healthcare issues, veteran disability benefits, and GI Bill benefits.
Healthcare
With VA health care, veterans are covered for regular checkups with their primary care provider and appointments with specialists (like cardiologists, gynecologists, and mental health providers). Veterans can access health care services like home health and geriatric (elder) care, and receive medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions. Find out how to apply for and manage veteran health care benefits here.
Disability
VA disability compensation offers a monthly tax-free payment to veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to veterans whose service made an existing condition worse. You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service. Find out how to apply for and manage veterans disability benefits here.
GI Bill Benefits
Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs of education. GI Bill benefits help veterans pay for college, graduate school, and training programs. Learn more about GI Bill benefits, and how to apply for them, here.
Department of Defense
The following information is for military personnel. Please contact our office for assistance with any questions or problems you may have.
Department of State
Common areas of assistance include passports, international travel, and intercountry adoptions.
Passports
How can I renew my existing passport?
For information on renewing your passport, visit the Passport Renewal page at the U.S. Consular Affairs website.
I can’t wait for the normal processing time for my application. Can I request an expedite?
Yes. For an additional fee, you can request expedited processing. For more information on expediting processing, visit the Expedited Service page.
International Travel
Before you travel make sure you know the situation on the ground. Visit the Country Information page to get informed. To prepare for an emergency while abroad visit the Emergencies page.
Intercountry Adoption
For more information on adopting from a foreign country visit the Intercountry Adoption page.
Small Business Administration
Common areas of assistance include loans and entrepreneurial resources.
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small business and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise for small businesses.
The SBA has many loans small businesses can apply for, such as 7(a) Loans, 504 Loans, and Microloans. The SBA also launched several programs to assist with economic losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) program which is still ongoing. The EIDL program provides accessible and borrower-friendly capital to small businesses and non-profit organizations currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue related to COVID-19.
State of Ohio
Many of the issues constituents face fall under the jurisdiction of the state government. My office can help connect you with your state lawmakers who can best address these concerns. Find your Ohio State Representative and Senator here.