Interactive tool
Who handles this?
Describe a problem and see which government usually handles it, which office to contact and what to do next. 40 common problems, each with sources.
Each answer says which level usually handles it: Federal, State or Local. Rules differ by state and place, and each answer says what varies.
Home and neighborhood
- A building permit for work on my homeState · Local
- A concern about my child’s public schoolFederal · State · Local
- A landlord keeping my security deposit or other renter problemsFederal · State
- A missed trash or recycling pickupState · Local
- A noise complaint about a neighborState · Local
- A pothole or broken streetlight on my streetState · Local
- A stray, loose or dangerous animalState · Local
- Lost or delayed mail or a package sent by USPSFederal
- Unwanted robocalls or telemarketing callsFederal
- Zoning and what can be built on a lot or next doorState · Local
IDs and records
Money and taxes
Work and business
Health and benefits
Travel and immigration
Courts and safety
Voting and civic life
No match. Try the site search, or browse the list.