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News Alert: Need help with a federal agency? My office can help.
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Veterans Affairs

Our country's veterans have provided an invaluable service through their efforts, and I am pleased to be able to assist them when they have a question or concern regarding their interactions with a federal agency, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Below are listed some frequently-asked questions (FAQs) regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs:

As always, you are also welcome to contact one of my Regional Offices for personal assistance.

For more information you can visit the Department of Veteran Affairs online or contact one of their many toll free numbers.  These toll free numbers are broken down by issue, and can be found by visiting their Contact us page.

For my office to assist you with any questions you may have regarding your claim or concern, you will need to complete a privacy release form giving permission for my staff to make inquiries on your behalf. The Privacy Act of 1974 requires that I have your written authorization before I can obtain any information about you from a federal agency. You can read my office's Privacy Policy here.

While a friend or family member can certainly contact my office on someone else's behalf, the privacy release form must be signed by the individual needing the assistance. On any correspondence sent to me, please include your phone number and contact information so that my staff can be as responsive as possible to your request. 

When completing the form, please include all pertinent information such as:

  • Your full name
  • Your Social Security Number
  • Date of birth
  • Type of claim and date filed
  • Description of concern/issue
  • Your contact information (phone number, address, e-mail)

My staff can then contact the appropriate agency on your behalf to determine the status of your claim and provide you with any further assistance. Please note that I cannot direct a certain outcome or mandate an expedited process. I can only communicate the circumstances and request that the appropriate actions be taken to assist you.

Please keep in mind that due to the constitutional separation of the legislative and judicial branches of government, an elected official is not allowed to be involved in legal matters. In these matters, you may wish to seek legal counsel. Additionally, I can only assist with federal agencies. If your concern is with a state or local entity, you will need to contact the appropriate jurisdiction for these issues. Additionally, those who are not living within the state of Idaho should contact their own state's delegation members for assistance. Exceptions to this would include military personnel who are away from the state while on active duty or students attending college out of state.

Again, I am more than happy to assist with issues you might have with the federal government and look forward to being your advocate whenever possible.