Skip to main content

Vallejo Times-Herald: Thompson recovered nearly $2 million for constituents in 2016

October 31, 2016
News Articles

Rachel Raskin-Zrihen

By the time Rep. Mike Thompson’s constituents turn to him for help, they’ve typically tried everything they can think of and failed to wrest money owned to them from the federal agencies that owe it. Nevertheless, in 2016 alone, Thompson’s office recovered nearly $2 million for people in his district — a good chunk of it in Solano County, the Democrat’s office staff said.

Thompson announced Monday that his office has recouped more than $1.6 million owed to residents of the Fifth Congressional District by federal agencies this year, including more than $430,000 for Solano County residents alone.

“Providing first-rate constituent services has always been a top priority,” Thompson said. “I’m proud to announce that my office has been able to help residents of our Congressional District recoup over $1.6 million owed to them by federal agencies like the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs among others,.. If you ever encounter any trouble with a federal agency, please contact my Vallejo District Office. We’re here to help.”

Every Congress member offers casework assistance to constituents, but, “the level of attention given to cases and the importance placed on casework varies from member to member,” his office staff said. “Congressman Thompson has always prioritized casework throughout his time in Congress.”

“This is the first year that our office has publicly announced the funds recouped through casework, and we’ve done so in the hopes that more constituents throughout Solano County will learn that the Congressman can help resolve issues with federal agencies,” a Thompson spokeswoman said.

After receiving assistance with the IRS from Thompson’s office, Bill Quan of Vallejo, said, “When the IRS delayed my income tax refund for three months, Congressman Mike Thompson’s office quickly contacted the IRS and expedited the refund. Many thanks to Congressman Thompson for his help!”

Joseph Puentes of Vallejo, said Thompson’s office helped him get long-overdue benefits from the V.A.

“Thank you Congressman Thompson for stepping up and helping your fellow Vietnam veteran comrades receive full benefits which have been delayed by the V.A. for years,” he said. “This is a big relief not just for us veterans, but more so for our spouses and families. Thank you again for your dedication and support.”

Jeffrey Hanson of Vallejo also wrote in thanking Thompson’s office for help with the V.A.

“I can’t thank Congressman Thompson and his staff enough for all they did helping me to get the cooperation I sorely needed with my dealings with the Veterans Administration,” he said.

Thompson’s staff says they can help individuals, non-profits and businesses in the Fifth Congressional District “to navigate and resolve issues with federal agencies,” including, the Social Security Administration (SSA); the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); the Department of State; the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); the Department of Labor (DOL); the Departments of Education; and Defense (DOD); and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

In Solano County, Thompson helped constituents recoup more than $267,000 from the V.A. in the form of benefits and retroactive payments and more than $131,000 from the SSA, his staff said.

He also helped get constituents in excess of $30,000 from the IRS in the form of delayed refund checks, and more than $2,000 from OPM in the form of a retroactive payment.

While Thompson’s office cannot guarantee a particular outcome, “his staff does its best to ensure that constituents receive a fair and timely response from the agency in question,” they said. Thompson’s office can’t offer legal advice or recommend an attorney, they said.

To see if Thompson’s office can help you or a family member, contact his Vallejo Office at (707) 645-1888, or https://mikethompsonforms.house.gov/contact/.