Cascade Congressman Offers Help Dealing with Federal Agencies

Having trouble making the IRS see things your way?  Need to know what federal benefits are available to veterans?  Late Social Security check?  The office of Congressman John Lewis (D-5) can help navigate.

"There's staff already here in the district office," said Benjamin Spears, outreach coordinator for Rep. Lewis. "Their job is to help people navigate problems or issues with the federal government."

He was speaking at the Adams Park library, where he spent an afternoon at the front door, encouraging passers-by to take a brochure or booklet and explaning what his office can do.

It's part of the Congress in the Community program, which aims to inform, educate and advocate for constituents. 

Spears said the staff are like "caseworkers." They routinely help constituents get answers from agencies like the IRS, Social Security, the Department of Education and the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Sometimes it is as easy as knowing the right contact point. For example, if someone does not know how to apply for Social Security, Lewis' office can refer them to the right place. Small business owners can call to learn about what the Small Business Administration can offer in the way of financing options, training and contracting support.

But as Lewis' communications director Brenda Jones puts it, if there's some difficulty, their office can also let federal agencies know "that this citizen has a powerful advocate ... An individual citizen might not know how to or that they can make that kind of impact."

Routing through Lewis' office "doesn't guarantee a faster or better result," said Spears, but added that the congressman's staff often has expertise on the right contact point in Washington D.C.

Constituent services also helps expedite passports and visas in emergency situations, can work on service academy nominations or arrange purchase of a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol Building.

The office is also a good place to call when policy is not serving residents. Jones gives the example of an Atlanta surgeon who was stunned by the severe, preventable injuries he saw after a fatal bus wreck. The surgeon called Lewis' office with his story, and that is helping Lewis' office sell a bill that requires seatbelts and safer windows and roofs in motorcoaches.

Spears holds a constituent services roadshow about once a week. The next stop is Perry Homes on June 6 and a full schedule is available at Lewis' website. Spears is also available to appear at events by request.

Lewis has represented the Atlanta area in Congress since 1986 and is up for re-election this year. His newly-redrawn district loses some old Buckhead and Sandy Springs constituents and picks up new neighborhoods in south Fulton and Clayton counties.

So far, Lewis has attracted primary competition from retired Fulton County Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson, a Demcrat, and retired attorney Howard Stopeck, a Republican.