They Work for You:
A PEOPLE’S GUIDE TO GETTING HELP FROM THE HILL
Updated July 23, 2025
Introduction
Your member of Congress is supposed to work for you.
Whether you voted for them or not, representatives and senators have district and state offices that are there to help people in the community get access to services and solve problems with federal agencies.
A district office (for House members) or state office (for Senate members) acts as the direct point of contact between you and the federal government. These offices are staffed with a team that specializes in constituent services to assist with issues related to federal programs and agencies.
These services may include helping you navigate immigration applications, resolve problems with Social Security benefits, access veterans' services, or find disaster relief assistance. Constituent services staff act as advocates on your behalf, working with federal agencies like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Social Security Administration (SSA), the VA, or the IRS to ensure that your concerns are addressed in a timely manner.
This toolkit is for anyone, especially those who:
Have never reached out to a Congressional office before
Are navigating systems like veterans' benefits, Social Security, immigration, disaster recovery, or health coverage
Want to stay safe while asking for help
Want to share their story or push for change
Please note that this is general information, not legal advice. Congressional offices can play a key role in connecting constituents and helping them navigate complex bureaucratic systems. However, the assistance of a lawyer can be helpful for resolving problems with your application, benefits, or your individual case, especially for cases involving immigration or the criminal-legal system.