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An official website of the United States Government.

Frequently Asked Questions Ombudsman

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  • What does the Ombudsman make public? View more
    The Ombudsman keeps aggregate statistics of general categories and subcategories of requests for assistance. Our Charter provides for an annual report to be provided to the OPM Director with statistics, any identified systemic concerns, trends, or suggested areas of improvement.
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  • What won’t the Ombudsman do? View more
    • The Ombudsman will not be your advocate.
    • The Ombudsman will not automatically take your side in a complaint.
    • The Ombudsman is not a deciding official.
    • The Ombudsman will not direct a certain action be taken.
    • The Ombudsman will not replace the appeal (statutory, regulatory and/or administrative) process for such actions as adjudication of retirement, court-ordered benefit cases, disputed health insurance claims, etc.
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  • Does the Ombudsman have the authority to direct the resolution of issues? View more
    The Ombudsman's office does not have the authority to direct the resolution of issues; however, through facilitated interaction of the parties it is hopeful that a satisfactory resolution can occur.
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  • Can I have someone, in addition and/or other than myself, interact with the Ombudsman’s office? View more
    Yes, you may. We will ask you to put in e-mail, or in writing to be faxed to us, your authorization to let us interact with someone other than yourself about your matter. You will need to designate someone by name, and provide their telephone number, address, and possibly their e-mail address, and relationship to you.
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  • May I work with OPMs Ombudsman concurrent with filing a regulatory or statutory appeal, such as with the Merit Systems Protection Board? View more
    No, however, the Ombudsman’s office is available for informal attempts at dispute resolution. There may be some limited circumstances during which an appeal is being pursued through the regulatory/statutory process the Ombudsman’s office can help resolve the issue. Generally speaking, if there is a statutory and/or regulatory process available that process needs to be used and those timeframes must be met.
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