Services Index A - K
See Services Index L - Z

Birth Certificates
You'll need a birth certificate to get a passport or other official documents.  Only the state where you were born can give you an official copy of your birth certificate.  If you were born in Pennsylvania, you'll need to contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health in Harrisburg.  If you were born in another state, you'll need to contact the appropriate office in that state.  Some Web-based companies will help you expedite your application.  If you were born overseas, you'll need to contact the embassy or consulate of the country you were born in.  In some cases, Congressman Pitts may be able to help you if you were born overseas as an American citizen and your birth was registered with the American embassy there.
Pennsylvania Department of Health
List of Foreign Embassies
Help with American embassy-registered births

Child Support Issues
If you or your children are owed money by a non-custodial parent, there are government agencies who are prepared to help you.  If you and the non-custodial parent both live in Pennsylvania, however, the federal government doesn't have the authority to get involved.  That means Congressman Pitts doesn't have the authority either, but we can refer you to the right people.  If the non-custodial parent lives in another state Congressman Pitts can help you.  Likewise, if the non-custodial parent is is serving in the military, Congressman Pitts can help you.
The non-custodial parent lives in Pennsylvania
The non-custodial parent lives in another state or is serving in the military

Congratulatory Letters
If a friend or relative of yours has made a notable achievement, and you'd like to ask Congressman Pitts to send them a congratulatory letter, please call or write to Congressman Pitts at the district office for the county you live in.
Click here for contact information

Disability Benefits
If you are disabled, you may qualify for assistance from the federal government.  Disability benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration.  To apply, you will need to go to your local Social Security office and file an application.  If you have already applied and need help from Congressman Pitts, he and his staff will be happy to do what they can.
Social Security Administration Web site
Find the nearest Social Security office
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Drivers' Licenses
Drivers licenses are issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, so Congressman Pitts doesn't have the authority to help you with problems relating to them.  Your state representative or state senator, who represent you in Harrisburg, are the best people to help you.
Find out how to contact your state legislators

Eagle Scout Certificates
Congressman Pitts is happy to award certificates of congratulation to Eagle Scouts.  Certificates should be requested by the scoutmaster, who should include his name, address, and phone number along with the scout's name and address and the date of the honor court.  Certificates should be requested from the Congressman's Chester County district office and will be sent to the scoutmaster's address unless alternate delivery is requested.
Contact Congressman Pitts' Chester County office.
Click here for contact information

Employment Discrimination
Unfair discrimination based on a person's race, color, or religion, gender, or national origin is illegal in America, with only a few reasonable exceptions such as one for religious institutions.  Women, disabled people, and other groups also have certain protections against unfair discrimination in federal law.  The federal government, the largest employer in America, also has its own internal rules about discrimination.  If you believe you have been discriminated against in a way that is against the law, Congressman Pitts can help you.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Web site
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Employment Opportunities
More than 3 million civilians work for the federal government, making the government  the largest employer in America.  The government has opportunities in just about every field imaginable, ranging from accountants to park rangers to astronauts.  Congressman Pitts can't get you a job.  It's against the law for him to attempt to force a federal agency to give an applicant special treatment.  The best place to start is with the Office of Personnel Management, "the federal government's human resources agency."  The OPM Web site features frequently updated job listings.
Office of Personnel Management Web site

Family and Medical Leave Act
The Family and Medical Leave Act allows many people to take up to 12 unpaid weeks off from work in a year to care for a newborn or sick family member.  The details of FMLA are a bit complicated, so you might have questions.  The Department of Labor has information on its Web site about FMLA's provisions.  You can also call Congressman Pitts' district office for help or to forward a complaint to the government if you think your employer isn't complying with the law.
Department of Labor's FMLA Web page
Call Congressman Pitts for more information on FMLA - see below
Ask Congressman Pitts to help you with an FMLA-related dispute

Federal Disaster Assistance
The federal government has an agency to help people facing disasters like earthquakes and droughts.  Once the President has declared a disaster in a certain area, government assistance becomes available to people in that area if they qualify.  Dramatic natural disasters like earthquakes and tornados are not common in Pennsylvania; floods and droughts are more common.  If a federal distaster has been declared where you live and you would like help applying for assistance, Congressman Pitts will be happy to lend a hand.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Web site
Ask Congressan Pitts for help

Federal Employee Issues
If you are a federal worker and have a question or concern regarding your employment, your first resource should be the human resources office of the agency you work for.  The Office of Personnel Management and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission may also be able to be of assistance.  If you are having trouble getting the help you need, please contact Congressman Pitts and he or his staff will be happy to work with you.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Web site
Office of Personnel Management Web site
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Flag Purchases
Official American flags are available through Congressman Pitts' office in different sizes and materials.  For an extra fee, you can order one that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol.  Use the flag order form to order flags from Congressman Pitts.  You'll need Adobe Acrobat Viewer, which can be downloaded for free, to print out the form.
Flag Prices
Flag order form (PDF)
Download Adobe Acrobat

Flood Insurance
If you live in or near a floodplain, you may be required to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.  The first place to go for answers about this is your township, borough, or city government.  If it turns out that you have a problem with the federal government, Congressman Pitts will do what he can to help you.
Township, Borough, or City questions
Ask Congressman Pitts for help with a federal issue

Grant Applications
The federal government offers grants to support many different enterprises, from policing to academic research.  If you have applied for a grant, Congressman Pitts can help you by checking its status.  He is not permitted to try and stack the deck in your favor.  The Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance is an on-line directory of virtually every grant offered by the federal government.
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance
Ask Congressman Pitts for help with a grant application

Home Buying Assistance
The federal government has programs to help you buy a home, especially for the first time.  If you'd like more information about these programs, visit the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Web site.  If you'd like additional information from Congressman Pitts or if you have a dispute with HUD or another government agency you've been working with, Congressman Pitts and his staff will do what they can to help.
HUD's Web page for prospective homebuyers
Ask Congressman Pitts for help 

Housing Assistance
If you are having problems renting a home that you can afford, or if you are homeless, the federal government has programs to help you.  The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Web site has a page for renters.  It includes information on your rights, advice on planning ahead, and information on what kinds of help the government can give you.  If you have more questions, or you need more help, Congressman Pitts and his staff will be happy to assist you.
HUD's Web page for renters
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Immigration Problems
The Immigration and Naturalization Service is one of the most overworked agencies in the federal government, creating long backlogs in their work.  If you're waiting for a visa application to be approved or applying to become an American citizen, you may start to get impatient.  Congressman Pitts can check on the status of your applications and help you if you think INS has made a mistake.  Even Congressman Pitts can't get the INS to rush your application except in serious emergencies.
INS Web site
Download immigration forms and instructions
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Internships
Congressman Pitts accepts interns in his Washington, Lancaster, and Chester County offices.  Interns are not paid.  If you are a high school or college student and would like to gain interesting and valuable experience working in a Congressional office, please contact Mary O'Connor in the Congressman's Washington office or Tom Tillett in either of the Congressman's Pennsylvania offices.
Contact information

IRS Disputes
The federal tax code is long, complicated, and constantly changing.  Taxes are also higher than they should be.  Paying your taxes can be difficult, and correcting mistakes can be even harder.  Congressman Pitts will be happy to help you in whatever ways he can.  If you proceed to the next page, please note that there is a special consent form for IRS issues.
IRS Web site
Print out IRS forms and instructions
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)
Ask Congressman Pitts for help

Junk Mail, Telemarketers & "Spam"
Getting too much junk mail, telemarketing calls, and E-mailed advertisements ("spam")? The Postal Service, the phone company, and your Internet service provider cannot tell advertisers to stop contacting you.  Neither can Congressman Pitts.  However, a private industry association called the Direct Marketing Association, has a program to help you cut back on unwanted junk mail, phone calls, and E-mail.  The Postal Service also encourages you to exercise your right to control mail delivery by marking unopened mail "refused" and returning to the post office.  You can also direct most telemarketers to remove you from their list.
National Do Not Call Registry
Federal Trade Commission "SPAM" website
Direct Marketing Association Web site