One of my most important duties in my capacity as a United States Senator is to assist Minnesotans who are facing issues with federal agencies. Staff in my Minnesota offices are experienced in working with all federal agencies and assist individuals on a variety of issues from expediting passport applications to answering questions on social security or veterans benefits. Since being elected to the Senate, I have made it a priority to help Minnesotans navigate the government bureaucracies so people can get the help they need. If you are from Minnesota, and are in need of assistance with a federal agency, please complete a Privacy Act Release form which authorizes my office to look into your situation. After completing this form, please fax or mail it to:
Senator Amy Klobuchar
1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Fax: (612) 727-5223
If you are not from Minnesota, please visit www.senate.gov to locate your federal elected representatives.
If you are experiencing difficulties with a State agency, please contact your state elected representatives for assistance. You can locate your state elected officials at The Minnesota State Legislature's District Finder.
FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions my office receives.
Veterans
- Can Senator Klobuchar’s office help with my Veteran’s Affairs claim?
- Can Senator Klobuchar’s office help me to get my military records?
- Can Senator Klobuchar’s office help with my Veteran’s Affairs claim?
-
If you have a claim pending with the VA, my office can check on the status of your claim. However, please be aware that we are unable to compel the VA to process your application ahead of others who have filed before you. If you have a genuine emergency, my office can relay your situation to the VA.
For general information about veteran’s issues, visit the Department of Veteran’s Affairs website at www.va.gov.
Return to Top - Can Senator Klobuchar’s office help me to get my military records?
-
To request a copy of your military records, you should fill out the form SF-180. This form can be downloaded by clicking here. If you have completed the SF-180 and have not received a timely response, our office can check on the status of your request.
Return to Top
Social Security
- Where is my local social security office?
- How do I apply for social security disability benefits?
- I have been waiting for several months for a Social Security Disability hearing. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office check on the status of my case?
- Can Senator Klobuchar’s office expedite my hearing date for my application for social security disability benefits?
- I submitted a claim for social security disability benefits but I have not received any information. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office check on my claim?
- Where is my local social security office?
-
The Social Security Administration has field offices throughout Minnesota. In order to locate the office closest to you, visit the “local office search” page on the SSA website at: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Return to Top - How do I apply for social security disability benefits?
-
You can apply for social security disability benefits online on the social security website. You can also get assistance with your application over the phone or in person by visiting your local office.
More information about applying for social security disability benefits is available at www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability.
Return to Top - I have been waiting for several months for a Social Security Disability hearing. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office check on the status of my case?
-
My office can contact the social security Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) and request that your case be marked “congressional interest.” ODAR will then send an update on your case to my office each month. To have your case marked as “congressional interest,” please fill out our Privacy Act Release form and send it to my Minnesota office.
Return to Top - Can Senator Klobuchar’s office expedite my hearing date for my application for social security disability benefits?
-
The average wait time for a hearing is 18 to 22 months. Unfortunately, our office is unable to reduce the wait time. In certain, limited instances, the Social Security office will expedite case processing. In order for a case to be expedited, you must meet one of the following conditions: lack of food, inability to afford prescriptions or receive adequate medical care, lack of health insurance, imminent eviction, or homelessness.
For general information about social security issues, visit the Social Security Administration’s website at www.ssa.gov
Return to Top - I submitted a claim for social security disability benefits but I have not received any information. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office check on my claim?
- If you have submitted a claim for disability benefits and have not received a response from the Social Security Administration, my office can make an inquiry to check on the status of your claim. Please be aware that the Social Security Administration makes final decisions regarding whether a claim can be approved under their pre-established guidelines. Return to Top
Identity Theft
- I have been a victim of identity theft, what should I do?
-
The Federal Trade Commission has extensive information on how to avoid identity theft, and what to do if you believe your identity has been stolen. Please visit www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft for more detailed information.
If you have errors on your credit report as a result of identity theft, or you are having difficulties resolving an issue with one of the credit reporting agencies, (Trans Union, Equifax, or Experian) my office can help you get in direct contact with representatives at the credit reporting agencies.
Return to Top
Education
- How do I apply for student loans for college?
- I am unable to repay my student loans because I am disabled and on a limited income. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office help me?
- How do I apply for student loans for college?
-
You can apply for a Federal Student Aid PIN (Personal Identification Number), fill out a FAFSA, and apply for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education online at www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa.
If you have questions regarding loan options or the application process, contact your school’s financial aid office directly.
Return to Top - I am unable to repay my student loans because I am disabled and on a limited income. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office help me?
-
The U.S. Department of Education offers resources for individuals who are unable to repay their student loans. Information is available at www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans
In some very limited circumstances, the U.S. Department of Education will allow a discharge of your student loans. For information on how to apply for a discharge of your student loans, please visit the link above, or contact my office.
Return to Top
Medicare
- My Medicare claim was denied. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office help with this?
-
If you have submitted a claim to CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), my office can contact Medicare to inquire about the reason for the denial and whether any options are available.
If you are having a problem with your Medicare Part D provider, my office can contact your provider on your behalf. In addition to our regular Privacy Act Release which can be found at the top of this page, please complete a HIPPA-compliant release (link to HIPAA release). This allows your Medicare Part D provider to discuss your situation with my office.
Return to Top
Taxes/IRS
- Can Senator Klobuchar’s office find out when I will receive my tax refund?
- How do I locate IRS forms and find e-filing information?
- I am having a problem with the IRS that I have been unable to resolve on my own. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office contact the IRS for me?
- Can Senator Klobuchar’s office find out when I will receive my tax refund?
-
To check the status of your Federal tax refund from the Internal Revenue Service, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov.
If status information is not available, or you did not receive your refund in the time listed on the IRS website, my office can contact the IRS on your behalf. Please fill out a Privacy Act Release form and send it to my Minnesota office.
For information on your Minnesota state tax refund from the Minnesota Department of Revenue, visit www.revenue.state.mn.us/. Because this is a Minnesota state agency and not a federal agency, you will need to contact your state elected officials for additional assistance.
Return to Top - How do I locate IRS forms and find e-filing information?
- IRS forms and publications and links to e-filing resources are available at www.irs.gov. Return to Top
- I am having a problem with the IRS that I have been unable to resolve on my own. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office contact the IRS for me?
-
If you are having a problem with the IRS and have been unable to resolve it on your own through normal channels, my office can contact the IRS on your behalf. My staff works with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an IRS program that provides an independent system to assure that tax problems are promptly and fairly handled.
For IRS assistance, please fill out a Privacy Act Release form and send it to my Minnesota office. Please include copies of any important documentation or recent IRS notices that might help us to more accurately understand your problem.
Please be aware that my office is unable to get involved in legal disputes with the IRS.
Return to Top
Immigration
- Can Senator Klobuchar’s office expedite applications to become a United States citizen?
- I have filed an application for an immigration benefit but have not received any information. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office assist me?
- My relative or friend was denied a visa to travel to the United States. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office help my relative or friend to obtain a visa?
- Can Senator Klobuchar’s office expedite applications to become a United States citizen?
-
The USCIS processes millions of naturalization applications each year. As part of the process, your application must undergo a security clearance. The FBI states that the majority of name checks clear electronically within 48-72 hours. The remaining applications must undergo a manual search which can take an extended period of time. The FBI has informed my office that requests to expedite name checks can only be made by the FBI’s customer agencies and that if my office contacts the FBI, it will only further tie up vital resources. Therefore, my office is not able to contact the FBI regarding your name check. To view more information about the FBI security check process, please visit the FBI’s FAQ website at www.fbi.gov/services/records-management/name-checks.
Return to Top - I have filed an application for an immigration benefit but have not received any information. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office assist me?
-
If you have a pending claim with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, my office can check on the status of your case. If the receipt date on your application is not current, however, the USCIS is unable to process your case ahead of other cases. To obtain a list of processing dates, please visit the USCIS website at https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/
For general information about immigration issues, visit the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website at www.uscis.gov.
Return to Top - My relative or friend was denied a visa to travel to the United States. Can Senator Klobuchar’s office help my relative or friend to obtain a visa?
-
Applicants for visitor visas must prove that they have a residence outside the United States which they have no intention of abandoning. Cases which do not unequivocally establish the applicant's intention to return to their home country are routinely denied and are extremely difficult to overcome in later applications.
Unfortunately, there is no appeal process for denials of visitor visa applications. If your relative or friend plans to reapply for a visa and can demonstrate evidence of strong ties to his or her homeland, my office can send a letter to the Embassy or Consulate requesting due consideration of the application.
Return to Top
Small Business
- Can Senator Klobuchar assist me in getting funding to start a small business?
-
The U.S. Small Business Administration assists Americans to start, build and grow businesses. The SBA provides a variety of financial assistance programs for existing small businesses and loan programs for people interested in starting a new business. To find more information about assistance for small businesses, visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov
Return to Top
Housing
- I am facing foreclosure on my home because of predatory lending. Where can I get assistance?
- I have a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and I am having trouble with my landlord or property management company. How can Senator Klobuchar’s office help me?
- I am facing foreclosure on my home because of predatory lending. Where can I get assistance?
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved agencies throughout Minnesota to provide housing and financial counseling to individuals and families. You can find a list of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies at https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm?webListAction=search&searchstate=MN Return to Top
- I have a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and I am having trouble with my landlord or property management company. How can Senator Klobuchar’s office help me?
-
My office has a designated liaison at the Minneapolis HUD field office that will help constituents resolve issues with their landlords or management companies. Additionally, my office can help you resolve a problem you are having if you live in public housing.
Please fill out a Privacy Act Release form and send it to my Minnesota office and make sure to include your full name, property location and name, and the name of your housing authority or agency.
Return to Top