Weekly Column: Dealing With The Federal Government

An Idaho veteran honorably discharged from the military after 22 years of service had not received his separation pay after more than a year.  His home was under foreclosure and was scheduled to be sold.  My staff was able to resolve the issue, and the veteran received his pay of $210,000 and saved his family’s home. When veteran Mr. Francis Barnes moved to Idaho, movers lost the box that included his uniforms and Army medals from the Vietnam War.  Despite many hard efforts, he was unable to replace his medals.  My staff submitted an inquiry about replacing the medals and received them in the office within one week.  The veteran said, “this is the best Christmas present I could ever have.” These are a couple of examples of efforts to assist Idaho veterans with personal matters involving federal agencies, but I assist Idahoans who face all kinds of challenges working with various federal agencies.  If you find yourself in need of help with a personal issue involving contacting a federal agency, I am happy to assist you. There may be times when emergencies arise, such as when a passport is needed to assist a family member who is ill in a foreign country, your company is having difficulty getting Medicare reimbursement, or some other unexpected event occurs requiring attention.  If this happens, please contact the staff in one of my regional offices to discuss your situation.  I will contact the agency on your behalf to assure you have been given every consideration available by law. Resources to assist Idahoans who need help with federal agencies and how to contact me are also on my website, www.crapo.senate.gov , and as follows: Boise 251 E. Front St., Suite 205 Boise ID, 83702 Phone: (208) 334-1776 Fax: (208) 334-9044 Coeur d' Alene 610 Hubbard, Suite 209 Coeur d' Alene, ID 83814 Phone: (208) 664-5490 Fax: (208) 664-0889 Idaho Falls 410 Memorial Dr., Suite 204 Idaho Falls, ID 83402 Phone: (208) 522-9779 Fax: (208) 529-8367 Lewiston 313 'D' St., Suite 105 Lewiston, ID 83501 Phone: (208) 743-1492 Fax: (208) 743-6484 Pocatello 275 S. 5th Ave., Suite 138 Pocatello, ID 83201 Phone: (208) 236-6775 Fax: (208) 236-6935 Twin Falls 202 Falls Ave., Suite 2 Twin Falls, ID 83301 Phone: (208) 734-2515 Fax: (208) 733-0414 Washington, D.C. 239 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6142 Fax: (202) 228-1375 Any information regarding constituents that is garnered from correspondence, email and/or phone calls is considered confidential.  The only exception to this is when a constituent expressly requests that their information be shared with another congressional office or government agency.  This request falls under casework, and a privacy release form must be completed by the individual requesting this service.  The examples above were used with the permission of the constituents involved with these cases. Idahoans are, by nature, very independent, but sometimes you may find that you need help with the federal government.  I look forward to being your advocate whenever possible. (Mr. Francis Barnes, pictured with his wife, receiving replacement Army medals for the medals he earned through his service in the Vietnam War.) # # #