| Below is a list of frequently asked questions my office
receives. Select your question or problem and I will try to
provide you with a quick answer or guide you in the right
direction. |
If your particular problem or question is not addressed
below and you need additional assistance, please contact
my office. |
Click on a question or problem...
Q: How do I apply for Social Security and Medicare?
A: For
eligibility and general information on applying for Social Security
and Medicare and how to locate your nearest office, please visit
the Social Security Administration's website or call (800) 772-1213.
These are considered general guidelines regarding applying for
Social Security and Medicare. For more information or if your
particular problem or question was not addressed and you need
additional assistance, please go to my casework section or contact
my office.
Q: What services are available for a small business?
A: For
information on starting your own business, small business loans
or how to find the nearest Small Business Development Center,
please visit the Small Business Administration's website. These
are considered general guidelines regarding assistance for small
businesses. For more information or if your particular problem
or question was not addressed and you need additional assistance,
please go to my casework section or contact my office. top
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Q:
What is Congress doing for satellite tv viewers?
A: Constituents contact my office asking why
the FCC will not allow them to receive local network broadcast
programming on their satellite system. Please be advised that
copyright law, pursuant to the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement
Act (SHVIA), applies to many satellite subscribers and prevents
their satellite provider from carrying local network broadcast
stations.
The SHVIA is designed to promote competition
among multichannel video programming distributors, such as satellite
companies and cable television operators while, at the same time,
increasing the programming choices available to consumers. Most
significantly, for the first time, the SHVIA permits satellite
companies to provide local broadcast TV signals to all subscribers
who reside in the local TV station’s market (also referred to
as a Designated Market Area "DMA"), as defined by Nielsen
Media Research. This ability to provide local broadcast channels
is commonly referred to as "local into local" service.
The SHVIA also permits satellite companies to
provide "distant" network broadcast stations to eligible
satellite subscribers. Does this mean that a satellite company
must provide the local channels to any subscriber who wants the
channels? No. The satellite company has the option of providing
local-into-local service, but is not required to do so. Some satellite
companies are already providing this service in selected markets.
By the end of 2000, the two largest satellite companies have indicated
that they will provide local television broadcast signals in markets
serving more than 50% of all American households. Subscribers
should contact their satellite company to determine whether and
when the service will be available in their specific "DMA"
and which "DMA" applies to them.
For more information
please visit the FCC
Web Site or call them at
(800) 225-5322.
These are considered general guidelines regarding
the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act. For more information
or if your particular problem or question was not addressed and
you need additional assistance, please go to my casework section
or contact my office.
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Who
can assist me with Medicaid?
A: Medicaid is run by the State of California,
even though the federal government shares in the cost of
some programs. The program in California is named Medi-Cal..
If you have any questions about applying for Medi-Cal or
to see if you qualify, you should visit the Medi-Cal Web Site. or call them at (517)
373-2035.
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Q:
I am having problems with my TRICARE
A: TRICARE is a regionally managed health
care program for active duty and retired members of the
uniformed services, their families, and survivors. TRICARE
brings together the health care resources of the Army, Navy
and Air Force and supplements them with networks of civilian
health care professionals to provide better access and high
quality service while maintaining the capability to support
military operations. To help find the answers to your questions,
please visit the Tricare
Website. These are considered general
guidelines regarding TRICARE. For more information or if
your particular problem or question was not addressed and
you need additional assistance, please go to my casework
section or contact my office.
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Q:
I want the Congressman to support legislation.
A: If there is a bill currently before Congress
that matters to you or your family, I want you to contact
me and let me know.
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Q:
How do I find any available federal grants?
A: For detailed information on hundreds of grants,
loans and other forms of assistance available through various
federal agencies, please visit the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The Catalog
is searchable by keyword or by various indexes for your convenience.
These are considered general guidelines regarding
the availability of federal grants. If your particular problem
or question was not addressed and you need additional assistance,
please go to my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
I've been slammed by the phone company.
A: Customers have the right to use any
telephone carrier they choose and to change carriers whenever
they wish. It is important for customers to select their
own telephone company because different companies charge
different rates. Slamming, or switching a consumer's telephone
carrier without his or her knowledge or consent, is prohibited
by the Federal Communications Commission. The Commission
enforces this activity by investigating individual complaints
and patterns of slamming practices and punishes those who
slam. For more information please visit the FCC
Web Site or contact the FCC at (800) 225-5322.
These are considered general guidelines regarding
"slamming". If your particular problem or question was
not addressed and you need additional assistance, please go to
my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
I need the status of a bill in Congress.
A: You can check on the status of a bill in
Congress by bill number, word search/phrase, or by selecting a
particular sponsor or co-sponsor. The site my staff and I frequently
use is Thomas.
These are considered general guidelines to
obtain the status of a bill in Congress. If your particular problem
or question was not addressed and you need additional assistance,
please go to my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
How do I contact my elected state officials?
A: You can look up your
State
Representatives or your State
Senator and find contact information for their
offices.
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Q:
What is the status of my VA claim/appeal?
A: The main purpose of the Department
of Veterans’ Affairs is to administer the laws providing
benefits and other services to veterans and their dependents
and the beneficiaries of veterans. It is common to have
questions about the VA. In order to provide further assistance
to veterans and their families, the VA established an informative
website. You can find answers to some of your questions
by visiting the VA
Web Site.
These are considered general guidelines to
check on the status of a VA claim/appeal. If your particular problem
or question was not addressed and you need additional assistance,
please go to my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
Whom do I call if I have a consumer complaint?
A: You should contact both the California
Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division and the
Better Business Bureau. You can reach the Consumer
Protection on the web. Here are ways you can
contact the Better Business Bureau.
·
Better Business Bureau's
website or call (909) 825-7280.
Q:
I need to get copies of my military records.
A: The National Personnel Records Center,
Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR) is the repository
of millions of military personnel, health, and medical records
of discharged and deceased veterans of all services during
the 20th century. NPRC (MPR) also stores medical treatment
records of retirees from all services, as well as records
for dependent and other persons treated at naval medical
facilities. Information from the records is made available
upon written request (with signature and date) to the extent
allowed by law. To obtain more information, or to download
a copy of the Military Records Request form please go to
NPRC
website. This site also gives information on how
to obtain military medals and/or awards for veterans.
These are considered general guidelines to
obtaining military records. For more information or if your particular
problem or question was not addressed and you need additional
assistance, please go to my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
My mail is not getting delivered regularly.
A: If you are experiencing problems with
your local mail delivery, it is best to first contact your
local post office with your concerns. Because of the Postal
Reorganization Act, the United States Postal Service (USPS
website) is an independent federal agency. I
have no direct jurisdiction over this agency and am limited
in what I can do. Hoping to be of some assistance, however,
I have provided the website for the USPS.
This website has helpful information, including a place
where you can locate the address and/or phone numbers for
your local post office.
These are considered general guidelines concerning
difficulties with the U.S. Postal Service. For more information
or if your particular problem or question was not addressed and
you need additional assistance, please go to my casework section
or contact my office.
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Q: I need
to obtain tax forms from the IRS.
A: You can call the IRS' toll-free forms
request line at: 1-800-829-3676, or download them through
their website at www.irs.gov.
U.S. Post Offices and community libraries have them available
also.
These
documents will require the Adobe Acrobat Reader
These are considered general guidelines to
obtain IRS forms. For more information or if your particular problem
or question was not addressed and you need additional assistance,
please go to my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
I need financial aid to attend college.
A: Your first step should be to complete
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You
can get this application by visiting the Department
of Education or by calling the Department
of Education at 1-800-4FEDAID. You may also want to contact
the Financial Aid offices of any school that you're looking
to enroll in. Many of their offices will be able to assist
you.
These are considered general guidelines regarding
student financial aid. If your particular problem or question
was not addressed and you need additional assistance, please go
to my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
I have questions about the Family and Medical Leave Act.
A: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) enables
covered workers to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected
leave a year to attend to certain family and medical needs. Generally,
you will be eligible to take FMLA leave if you work for a company
or organization (employing at least 50 people) for at least one
year. To take FMLA leave, you must ordinarily provide 30 days
advance notice when the leave is considered "foreseeable".
Your employer may request medical certification to support your
request for leave under the FMLA.
The United States Department of Labor's
Wage and Hour Division is authorized to enforce this act
and has a website that provides extensive information. Go
to the Family
And Medial Leave Act page. You may also call
the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division District
Office in Detroit at: (313) 226-7447 for more information.
This information is considered to be a general
guideline for the Family and Medical Leave Act. For more information
or if your particular problem or question was not addressed and
you need additional assistance, please go to my casework section
or contact my office.
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Q:
How do I become a naturalized U.S. citizen?
A: The Immigration and Naturalization Service
has put together a special naturalization section on their website
to help answer most of your questions. Simply go to www.ins.usdoj.gov
to find eligibility information, an extensive downloadable "Naturalization
Guide", and the "N-400" application, which is used
to apply for naturalization.
These documents will require the Adobe Acrobat
Reader. This information is considered a general guideline
for naturalization. For more information or if your particular
problem or question was not addressed and you need additional
assistance, please go to my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
I need forms for immigration.
A: There are two ways to obtain forms
from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. You can
call their toll-free forms request line at: 1-800-870-3676,
or download them through their website at INS Forms.
These documents will require the Adobe Acrobat
Reader. These are considered general guidelines to obtain
Immigration and Naturalization forms. For more information or
if your particular problem or question was not addressed and you
need additional assistance, please go to my casework section or
contact my office.
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Q:
How do I obtain a passport?
A: You can apply for a passport at any passport
acceptance facility. These include many post offices and county
and municipal offices. There is no need for you to travel to a
passport agency, unless you have an urgent need for departure.
Application material you will need:
·
Application Form DSP-11
- These are available at the acceptance facility.
·
*Present Proof of U.S. Citizenship
- This can include an original birth certificate if you were born
in the United States, a Certificate of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate
of Naturalization.
·
Two Photographs
·
Two Pieces of Identification
·
**Pay Appropriate Fees -
$60 if 16 years or older, $40 if 15 years and younger.
Additional information is available from
the State Department's Passport
Section.
*If you do not have these original documents,
you can still obtain a passport, but more information will be
needed. Please contact my office if this applies to you.
**Passports usually take 25 business days, however,
if you have an urgent need of departure, you can pay an extra
$35 to have your passport expedited and have your passport within
3-5 business days.
These are considered general guidelines to
obtain a U.S. Passport. If your particular problem or question
was not addressed and you need additional assistance, please go
to my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
How do I get my military discharge upgraded?
A: Each military department maintains
a discharge review board with authority to change, correct,
or modify discharges or dismissals that are not issued by
a sentence of a general court martial. (The discharge review
board has no authority to address medical discharges.) You
can obtain more information on this subject, as well as
download important forms, by visiting the Department of
Veteran's Affairs'
MIlitary
Discharge Upgrades.
These are considered general guidelines regarding
military discharge upgrades. If your particular problem or question
was not addressed and you need additional assistance, please go
to my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
I have questions about the IRS advance tax refunds.
A: The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation
Act of 2001 approved by Congress and signed by President Bush
directs the IRS to send checks to most income taxpayers this year,
giving them an advance payment of a 2001 tax credit. In general,
individuals who had a tax liability on their 2000 federal income
tax return and who could not be claimed as a dependent on someone
else's return are eligible for a refund this year. The refund
is a maximum of $300 for a single filer, $500 for a head of household
filer, and $600 for those married filing jointly. The payment,
however cannot be more than the person's tax liability minus any
nonrefundable credits. For more information please visit the Internal
Revenue Service's website.
These are considered general guidelines for
information on the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation
Act. For more information or if your particular problem or question
was not addressed and you need additional assistance, please go
to my casework section or contact my office.
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Q:
I have questions about Anthrax.
A: Here are some of the most frequently asked
questions and answers regarding Anthrax:
·
Q: What is anthrax
and what are the ways that people can contract it?
A: Anthrax is a bacterium that forms spores. We've known about
Anthrax for a long time. In fact, anthrax was categorized as one
of the first occupational hazards of ancient wool-sorters. It
was a much more common infection years ago, but we've had very
few natural cases over the last hundred years. Anthrax typically
infects the skin in more than 95 percent of cases. It can also
affect the GI tract (intestines), or actually be breathed in as
inhalational anthrax. There have only been 18 confirmed inhalational
cases from 1900 to 1976 in the U.S., and not a single case, before
yesterday, over the last 25 years. Typically, the way people get
it now is through the handling of animals or soil that contain
the bacteria and its spores.
·
Q: How can you tell
you have been exposed to Anthrax?
A: Anthrax spores are microscopic and have no odor or taste. It
is unlikely that you would be able to tell if you were exposed
to Anthrax. Anthrax can be detected through lab tests.
·
Q: If Anthrax
is not detectable, how do you know when you have been exposed
to Anthrax?
A: Some of the early symptoms may be vague, and resemble flu-like
symptoms. It is a duty of the public health system to screen people
in areas where anthrax is known to exist, so that infected people
can be found before symptoms develop.
·
Q: How long does
it take to manifest symptoms?
A: The usual course for someone infected is that they'll develop
symptoms within one to six days. They'll often get a temporary
recovery, then have a worsening of symptoms after that. That's
a typical course. As I said earlier, sometimes the symptoms can
take weeks, if the spores don't germinate right away.
·
Q: What
does it physically do to humans?
A: There is a misconception that anthrax causes pneumonia. This
is not typical, in terms of the actual effect on humans. Typically,
inhalational anthrax will get into the smallest part of the lungs,
called the alveoli, because the particles are usually less than
a few microns in size. From there, anthrax often releases toxins
that can affect the lymphatic system, and ultimately seep into
the blood. In more than half the cases, the infection will also
spread to the brain. The specific cause of death from anthrax
is related to breathing difficulties, but mainly to overwhelming
uncontrollable infection, also known as sepsis.
·
Q: How
is Anthrax treated?
A: There are two specific antibiotics that are used to treat Anthrax.
Any person exposed to Anthrax would be treated with these antibiotics
as soon as possible after exposure. The government has stockpiles
of these antibiotics and there is NO NEED for private citizens
to stockpile their own. This is particularly important because
1) the antibiotics that individuals stockpile are unlikely to
be the right antibiotics and 2) antibiotics have a limited shelf-life.
The government rotates their stockpile to ensure a fresh batch
of the correct antibiotics.
·
Q: Is anthrax
airborne and if so would you explain the difference between airborne
disease and other diseases?
A: I want to be clear about a couple of terms that get thrown
around with regards to anthrax. When we talk about anthrax as
a bioterrorism weapon, that usually refers to the "weaponizing"
of anthrax. This involves obtaining anthrax, drying it, and grinding
it up into very small particles. This is a very difficult process,
and the bacteria are often rendered inactive in the process. "Airborne,"
simply means that the bacteria itself can persist in the air,
and be transmitted in the air. But that does NOT mean that humans
spread it to each other. Airborne does not necessarily imply contagious.
Anthrax is NOT contagious.
·
Q: Are there any
particular signs or preventative measures we can take to ensure
our safety and that of our loved ones?
A: There are no particular safeguards with these particular bacteria,
as there are none with most bacteria.
·
Q: What about the
vaccine? Is it 100% effective?
A: From what we know of the vaccine at this point, it is about
93 percent effective. There is only one company making it, located
in Lansing, Michigan. The FDA Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices has recommend anthrax vaccination for the following
groups: Persons who work directly with the organism in the laboratory;
Persons who work with imported animal hides or furs in areas where
standards are insufficient to prevent exposure to anthrax spores;
Persons who handle potentially infected animal products in high-incidence
areas. (Incidence is low in the United States, but veterinarians
who travel to work in other countries where incidence is higher
should consider being vaccinated.); Military personnel deployed
to areas with high risk for exposure to the organism (as when
it is used as a biological warfare weapon). At this time the vaccine
is not available to the public.
For more information please visit the CDC's
Health Advisory on Anthrax.
These are considered general guidelines for
information on Anthrax. For more information or if your particular
problem or question was not addressed, please contact my office.
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Q:
What are the current warnings for international travel?
A: The U.S. Government remains deeply
concerned about the security of Americans overseas. On October
7, 2001, the U.S. Government initiated military action pursuant
to its inherent right of self-defense recognized in Article
51 of the United Nations Charter, after the events of eptember
11 in the United States. As a result, there is a potential
for strong anti-American sentiment and for retaliatory actions
to be taken against U.S. citizens and interests throughout
the world by terrorists and those who harbor grievances
against the United States. The Department urges Americans
to review their circumstances carefully and to take all
appropriate measures to ensure their personal safety. Americans
are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact
with the nearest American embassy or consulate. The Department
will continue to develop information about potential threats
to Americans overseas and to share with them credible threat
information through its Consular Information Program documents.
These documents are available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov
U.S. citizens and interests abroad remain at
increased risk of terrorist attacks, including by groups with
links to Usama Bin Ladin's Al-Qaida organization. These individuals
do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. There
has been unconfirmed information that terrorist actions may be
taken against U.S. military facilities and/or establishments frequented
by U.S. military personnel in Korea and Japan.
Reports of and confirmed cases of exposure to
anthrax have caused an increase in anxiety over possible attacks
using chemical and biological agents (CBA). Currently, the method
of delivery of anthrax has been by letter or package. While the
risk of such attacks is limited, it cannot be excluded. The Department
will promptly share with American citizens overseas any credible
information about threats to their safety. Americans should stay
informed and be prepared for any eventuality.
In light of the above information, U.S. Government
facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. U.S.
Government facilities have and will continue to temporarily close
or suspend public services as necessary to review their security
posture and ensure its adequacy. In those instances, U.S. embassies
and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services
to American citizens.
U.S.
citizens planning to travel abroad should consult the Department
of State's Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular
Information Sheets, Fact Sheets, and regional travel brochures,
all of which are available at the Consular Affairs Internet
web site at http://travel.state.gov. Travel
UpdatesWe will continue to provide updated information
should it become available. American citizens overseas may
contact the American Citizens Services unit of the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate by telephone or fax for up-to-date
information on security conditions. American citizens in
need of emergency assistance should telephone the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate before visiting there.
In addition to information on the Internet,
U.S. travelers may hear recorded information by calling the Department
of State in Washington, D.C. at 202-647-5225 from their touch-tone
telephone, or receive information by automated telefax by dialing
202-647-3000 from their fax machine.
These are considered general guidelines for
information on travel abroad. For more information or if your
particular problem or question was not addressed and you need
additional assistance, please go to my casework section or contact
my office.
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Q:
What has Congress been doing to assist Veterans?
A: In fulfilling America's promise to our nation's
Veterans, the Congress and the President have passed the following
legislation:
H.R. 1291 - VETERANS EDUCATION AND BENEFITS
EXPANSION ACT OF 2001
Authorizes more than $3.1 billion over five years to expand and
increase educational, housing, burial and disability benefits
Signed by President Bush on December 27, 2001 (P.L. 107 - 103)
·
Boosts the MGIB college
education benefit amount by a record 46% over 2 years, increasing
the total college benefit for qualified Veterans from $24,192
to $35,460
