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How Can I Help?

My office stands ready to assist U.S. citizens and their families during the ongoing conflict in Israel.

The State Department has a 24/7 coordinating group that is working to assist U.S. citizens. For urgent assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Israel, fill out the State Department’s Crisis Intake Form, linked here or call 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131. U.S. citizens in Israel should also enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for ongoing updates. The latest security alerts can be viewed here.

My office may be able to provide additional support for constituents if your immediate family members have been taken hostage, are missing, unaccounted for or killed. Please provide as much detail about your loved one and their trip, and your contact information using our online privacy release form, linked here. We will follow up as soon as we are able.

Additional Resources:

  • The IRS is providing relief to American Taxpayers in Israel, The West Bank and Gaza who, due to the terrorist attacks, may be unable to meet a tax-filing, tax-payment obligation or other time-sensitive tax-related actions. More information can be found linked here

  • Beginning November 30th, 2023, citizens, and nationals of Israel may apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa, a step which further strengthens the security, economic and people-to-people ties between the United States and Israel. The Department of Homeland Security may move the program start date up, but no announcement has been made. More information can be found linked here. 

Having problems with a federal agency? My office can help.

Casework – or Constituent Service, is one of the most valuable functions of a congressional office. It fills an important humanitarian need and gives the Member of Congress a direct line to the needs and concerns of his or her constituents.

You might think of it as the Customer Service Department for the federal government.

Casework refers to the response or services that Members of Congress provide to constituents who request assistance solving a problem they are having with a federal agency.

Congressman Blumenauer and his staff can help constituents deal with federal agencies by acting as facilitators, ombudsmen, and, in some cases, advocates.

Constituents will sometimes request that the Congressman "expedite" their applications for services or benefits. While a caseworker is available to obtain information regarding the status of a constituent's application or claim, congressional offices have no authority to move one person's application ahead of others who are also waiting. However, if an emergency situation develops, a caseworker will communicate the circumstances to the agency and request that the agency take the appropriate actions.

Congressional offices are never allowed to negotiate, investigate, or force agencies to expedite or reconsider cases. We are not able to offer legal advice or recommend an attorney or intervene in or influence the outcome of cases that are under the jurisdiction of any court. We also cannot intervene in matters under the jurisdiction of local or state governments.

Agencies that we regularly assist people with include the Department of State, Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Veterans Administration, Medicare/Medicaid, United States Post Office (USPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Department of Education, and other federal agencies.

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Rep. Earl Blumenauer talking to a group of people

Casework Areas

Privacy Release Form

The Privacy Act of 1974 requires congressional offices to obtain written permission from an individual before an agency can release any case-specific information. You can find Congressman Blumenauer's Privacy Release Form linked here or if you have trouble with the online form your caseworker can email you a PDF or mail you a paper copy.