Contacting Your Congressperson about Social Security Benefits
Contacting a U.S. Senator or Congressperson can be used to initiate a congressional inquiry. A congressional inquiry is when your federal lawmaker contacts a government agency for you, like the Social Security Administration, to help solve a problem or get information.
It can be helpful if:
- Your claim is delayed
- You can’t get answers
- You feel like your case is stuck
How to Find Your Congressperson
If you need contact information for your state and federal representatives, please go to the SC Statehouse Website. If you add your address, the site will list the contact information, including the website, of your state and federal representatives.
How To Contact Your Congressperson for Help
- Go to the Website of the Congressperson. Please note that only your federal representatives can help you with a congressional inquiry.
- You should find a place on the website to get help from a federal agency. This is usually under a heading called Services. It might be called several different things, such as:
- Case Work
- Help with a Federal Agency
- Constituent Services
- Congressional Inquiry
- Once you find the right section of their website. You will be prompted to fill out an online form, print a form, or gather some information. They usually will want to know:
- The details of your claim, including the claim number, the date it was filed, and the specific issue you are encountering with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
- Your contact information, including your address and phone number, so that they can obtain any additional information from you that might be necessary.
- Copies of any related documents or correspondence that you may have from the agency involved.
- You might also want to include information on how the problem is impacting you.
- You will be required to sign a privacy release.
- Lastly, if they do not have an online option, you will need to mail the gathered information and signed release to their office. The address will be provided on the website.
Follow Up
After sending your letter, if you do not hear back from them, call them and follow up. There is someone at their office who is responsible for assisting constituents who are experiencing issues with federal agencies.
Disability Rights South Carolina is the Protection and Advocacy System for South Carolina. This publication provides legal information but is not intended to be legal advice. As the law may change, please contact Disability Rights South Carolina for updates. Please let us know if you would like this information in an alternative format.