still haven't hear from Social Security

[redbird]

I'm still waiting for the letter explaining their decision, which was promised on June 7th.

So, I used the contact form on Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley's official website yesterday to ask for help with Social Security, saying that what I need right now is to get that letter, because I'm looking at a deadline for appealing. I got an answer in about an hour, from a staffer who said they would work on this for me, and will get in touch when they have more information. The email went into just enough detail that they clearly read my message and know what I needed, it's not a generic "thank you for contacting us about social security."

I've used Pressley's website (and my previous representatives) several times, to send messages asking them to support or oppose some legislation, or thank them for something they've done or said. This is the first time I've asked for help with a federal agency, but I knew it was there.

Comments

[otter]

That is good to know. I hope they are able to light a fire under the appropriate bum.

[beatrice_otter]

It SUCKS that you need a Powerful Person to intervene to get government bureaucracy to do its damn job, but at least your representative's staff is competent and helpful (at least so far).

[redbird]

It sucks, but it is a known problem, and one that congressmembers generally (always?) have staff for, and constituents don't have to pay for. I think that at least some federal agencies are more likely to respond to a query from a congressmember's office than from a private citizen, and also the congressional staff have useful contact numbers at those agencies.

Now I am wondering whether all members of congress have the same pulldown menu of possible constituent services. They don't all have the same categories for "issues and legislation" (as Pressley's office puts it), and not just because hers includes "criminal (in)justice."

[adrian_turtle]

If not all, then most. It really is part of the job. When I was phone-banking for Sara Gideon, I didn't find anyone who supported Susan Collins because they agreed with her about policy. They were going to vote for her because she had helped them (or someone they cared about) untangle a problem with Social Security or the VA or something. And that made her a good Senator, as far as they were concerned.