Constituent Services Stories: $80K in Social Security Benefits Returned to Constituent

Protecting and improving Social Security and Medicare are top priorities for me. Social Security is one of our nation’s most important and successful programs, often providing the primary economic support for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Our office regularly works with constituents who are struggling to secure the Social Security benefits they are due. I wanted to share Carl’s story to illustrate how our office can help.

Carl* is a constituent of mine who had been struggling to receive his Social Security benefits — his primary source of income — for over three years. When Carl reached out to our office for assistance, he was owed almost $80,000 — a significant financial burden on both Carl and his family.

For three years, Carl went back in forth with the Social Security Administration to ensure they had the correct information, but they were unable to resolve the issue.. Our casework team was able to contact the Social Security Administration on Carl’s behalf, work through the red tape, and resolve his case, ultimately securing the $80,000 he was owed.

This is just one example of how our office can assist constituents who are navigating federal agencies. Living without a primary source of income, for even a short period of time, causes stress and financial hardship, and we are here to act as a liaison between you and federal agencies.

In addition to our office directly resolving constituent Social Security cases, I have co-sponsored legislation to protect these benefits, including the Social Security 2100 Act and the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act.

The Social Security 2100 Act would implement a benefit increase for all current and future beneficiaries, improve the cost of living adjustment formula, and create a new minimum benefit to ensure no one retires into poverty. The Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act would allow the government to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers for Medicare beneficiaries. If these negotiations fail to settle on a reasonable price, the bill will allow the government to approve competitors to produce generic versions of the drug.

In recent years, these programs have been on the legislative chopping block in Washington. I have opposed these attacks on Social Security and Medicare, and I will continue advocating for the protection and expansion of these vital programs.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please call our district office at 610–626–2020. To learn more about our office, and for news on current legislative issues, please visit our website, sign up for our newsletter, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

*Carl is a pseudonym given to protect the anonymity of this constituent