As of April: Gallego Helps Recover $2.5 Million for 23rd District of Texas’ Constituents
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Pete P. Gallego (D-Alpine) has recovered more than $2.5 million for constituents of 23rd District of Texas from various federal agencies. U.S. Rep. Gallego reached this landmark achievement one month ahead of goal. He and staff work with constituents to recover federal funds owed to them by communicating with federal agencies and departments on their behalf.
“Our top priority is helping people – that’s what’s most rewarding to me – seeing lives improve immediately through our work,” U.S. Rep. Gallego said. “I encourage constituents of 23rd District of Texas who may need help with a federal agency or department to contact our offices and let us help.”
The offices have the tools, resources, and relationships with federal agencies to help constituents navigate and apply for benefits, often times, benefited owed to them.
“The Houston VA Regional Office (RO) has developed a great working relationship with the Office of Congressman Pete Gallego. This strong, collaborative relationship results in improved responsiveness to Veterans’ inquires. The employees who work at the RO are committed to serving our veterans,” said Pritz Navaratnasingam, director of the Houston VA Regional Office.
In December 2013, U.S. Rep. Gallego announced his office had secured $2,001,527 in savings. From December 2013 to now, the office has secured an additional $521,204.
“We understand navigating the process with some federal agencies can be challenging, so we work closely with agencies to help constituents communicate with them,” U.S. Rep. Gallego said. “Taxpayers and those who served our country deserve what is owed to them, and I am proud of the work we do on their behalf.”
U.S. Rep. Gallego and his staff perform significant outreach – including constituent services fairs, house meetings, and meetings with community and civic groups – to inform the public of constituent services available. To date, they have held 831 individual meetings, 226 house meetings and 80 pan dulces con Pete. Pan dulces con Pete are small, town-hall like meetings with constituents usually held at a restaurant or public place.
“Thank you Congressman Gallego for assisting me in receiving my retroactive pay and adding my dependents to the claim. I had been waiting for this since June 16, 2013,” said Wayne R. Jones, a veteran and constituent of the district. “I received over $25,000 in compensation that was owed to me by the Department of Veterans Affairs shortly after contacting your office. Your staff was compassionate and eager to solve the problem. I recommend that others needing assistance with government agencies reach out to your office if they find themselves in a bind. Without your assistance, I would still be waiting.”
In 2013, U.S. Rep. Gallego hosted 24 casework fairs – nine in the San Antonio area, eight in the Del Rio/Eagle Pass area and seven in the El Paso area. So far in 2014, U.S. Rep. Gallego hosted 11 casework fairs – two in the San Antonio area, two in the El Paso area, three in the Del Rio/Eagle Pass area and four in the Alpine area.
“Thank you Congressman Pete Gallego for your help getting my VA disability claim settled,” said Richard Nelson, a veteran and constituent of the district. “If it weren’t for you, my claim would still be pending and I would have not received my back pay of $38,791. I appreciate what you did for my family.”
U.S. Rep. Gallego and staff can help constituents with any federal agency, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, among others.
To contact a caseworker, visit www.gallego.house.gov. You can also contact a caseworker by calling the numbers below:
San Antonio: (210) 927-4592
Eagle Pass: (830) 488-6600
Del Rio: (830) 488-6600
El Paso: (915) 872-1066
Staff are bilingual and available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local times.
For more information on U.S. Rep. Gallego, visit www.gallego.house.gov. Learn more about U.S. Rep. Gallego by liking his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter.
