Government Agencies Tips
Read these 6 Government Agencies Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Legal tips and hundreds of other topics.
Is there a government agency that oversees education issues with regard to local schools?
The United States government agency that oversees issues with regard to education is the Department of Education. Because all government agencies are regulated by what's termed “administrative law”, any violations of rights in the area of school will become an administrative law matter.
The federal Department of Education can work in conjunction with each individual state's department of education. If you feel that your rights or the rights of your child have been violated, the first place to start is with the local school district.
You should first address your concerns with the local authority. If you feel that your concerns have not been adequately addressed, finding a reputable attorney that is versed in and has experience in dealing with educational issues would be advisable.
What is a governmental grant agency and how can I use its services?
The government grant agency is sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for assisting citizens with searching for and apply to receive grants sponsored by the federal government.
There are over 900 grant programs available from 26 federal grant-making agencies. These agencies award over $360 billion annually to the grant community, including state, local and tribal governments, academic and research institutions, and non-profit agencies.
Types of grants available include:
* agriculture
* arts
* business and commerce
* community development
* consumer protection
* disaster relief
* education
* employment,
* energy
* environmental quality
* food and nutrition
* health
* housing
* humanities
* statistics
* legal services
* natural resources
* regional development
* science and technology
* social services
* income security
* transportation.
Contacting the Department of Health and Human Services to find out if you or your agency qualifies for grant benefits may prove to be difficult in and of itself. Perhaps the first course of action would be to contact an attorney that deals with federal grants for assistance.
If I am denied social security benefits, is there a listing of federal agencies that I can access for help?
Social security began as a government sponsored program to assist in financial support for the citizens of the United States finding themselves in two categories: elderly or disabled. Funding for Social Security comes from income-earners who pay a percentage of their income. This is what is known as the social security tax.
Social security benefits are then paid out to recipients at retirement or disability based upon how much, over their lifetime, was paid into the social security fund. The federal agency of course, to contact, is the Social Security Administration, if you feel that you have unjustly been denied entitled benefits.
The SSA has a complex appeal process which includes an administrative law hearing and a national appeals council, whose determination, should it go that far, is deemed final within the SSA system. Like many other areas of the law, social security laws are very complicated and confusing.
To assure that you're receiving the benefits that you're entitled to, it is usually a good idea to consult an attorney that handles these particular matters and knows the law in this regard.
What federal government agency dictates enforcement of laws with regard to fair taxation?
Taxation comes in many forms, such as property taxes, corporate taxes, income taxes, even international taxation. Obviously the first source of information with regard to federal government agency can come from the Internal Revenue Service, which is a division of the US government.
The Department of Revenue also oversees taxation issues. If it is property tax issues that you feel have been unfairly dealt you, usually the first place to start is your local county government appraiser's office.
Regulations and procedures may vary from state to state but generally is based upon the “appraised value” of your property.
Usually you are given a chance to present your case to the governing body. If this becomes necessary, consulting with an attorney that is knowledgeable in the areas of property tax might be very helpful. Because of the complexity and variance of the law, a reputable attorney might be a good place to start.
At what point should I contact a US government agency about receiving my full benefits as a veteran?
The federal government agency that oversees veteran benefits is the Department of Veterans Affairs. Benefits for veterans and their families can include health, home loan, life, education and burial assistance.
You must file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive these benefits. The process you must go through with the government will result in a decision by the department as to whether they feel you qualify for assistance. If their decision isn't satisfactory and you feel that you're unduly being denied benefits, you will have to undergo an appeal process.
Because the laws with regard to benefit assistance can be complicated, it might be helpful to contact an attorney that specializes in dealing with this very issue.
What rights do voting citizens have and which government agency regulates voters' rights?
A voter, which means essentially any legal United States citizen over the age of 18, is guaranteed rights under the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Justice oversees the administration of rights with regard to citizens that have concerns or complaints about potential voting rights violations.
In fact, several lawsuits are filed every year with regard to potential violations in this area. According to the Constitution, every citizen over age 18 is guaranteed the right to vote, regardless of race or color and is protected under the Fifteenth Amendment. Occasionally, circumstances exist wherein attempts are made to “redraw” districts such that areas of more political clout will receive more representation than what is fair and just.
This process is known as gerrymandering. The United States Supreme Court has deemed this unconstitutional and illegal. If you feel that your rights have been violated in this regard or by any other means, the first thing you should do is contact an attorney specializing in voters rights.
