AMIDST HARMFUL CUTS, CLOSURES, AND UNCERTAINTY CONGRESSMAN RYAN’S C.A.R.E.S. VAN TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICAID, AND MEDICARE
Amidst Harmful Cuts, Closures, and Uncertainty Congressman Ryan’s C.A.R.E.S. Van to Provide Assistance with Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare
Amidst cuts, closures and uncertainty with federal funding for critical programs including Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, the C.A.R.E.S. Van is equipped to answer constituent questions regarding access to federal programs and benefits
During the first district tour, the Van reached over 1,500 constituents and logged 3,341 miles, helping Ryan’s team to secure over $30 million in casework assistance for NY-18 constituents
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan announced the schedule of events for his mobile office, the Constituent Advocacy Resources Empowerment Services (C.A.R.E.S.) Van, across the Hudson Valley this Spring. Congressman Ryan’s C.A.R.E.S. Van, staffed by his team of highly-trained caseworkers, will bring direct assistance with federal agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and IRS to Hudson Valley families right in their own community. The team will also be equipped to aid constituents hurt by cuts, closures and uncertainty due to recent federal funding changes with any questions regarding Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. The C.A.R.E.S. Van has become a staple at community events and celebrations since its unveiling in June 2023.
“Amidst the cuts, closures and uncertainty with federal programs like Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, we’re marshaling every tool at our disposal to help folks with our C.A.R.E.S Van. My team and I will be all over the district, bringing direct, one-on-one assistance to Hudson Valley families in their own communities,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “Our number one priority is making sure YOU have access to your earned benefits. Whether you need help with accessing a payment, or need assistance navigating a federal program, we are urgently working around the clock to get you the answers you need and services you deserve.”
Congressman Ryan’s C.A.R.E.S. Van assists constituents of NY-18 in accessing earned benefits, such as Veterans’ Affairs benefits and Social Security, federal grant funding, passports and visas, immigration and naturalization services, and resolving issues with federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service.
“Congressman Ryan’s team was extremely polite, professional, and emphatic towards my situation as a disabled veteran,” said Middletown veteran Nicholas White. “They contacted me to inform me of everything and what they could do to assist. I was granted 100% P&T disability compensation. My wife and I couldn't be happier. Thank you!”
“We are so grateful for the excellent assistance we received from Congressman Ryan’s office,” said David Friedman of New Paltz. “For two years we have been trying to resolve a problem with the IRS, and because of the intervention of his office, the issue has been properly resolved, and we actually received interest on an amount due from the IRS! It took something special to get this matter looked at and Congressman Ryan’s office provided that!”
“My 2022 tax return was held up by the IRS for nine months,” said Robert Warhola of Kingston. “I had plans for my refund. The case worker assured me this problem could be resolved in two weeks. As promised, I received my refund electronically. It is nice to see our government working efficiently.”
“Thanks to Congressman Ryan’s office, the IRS finally issued refunds this spring for 2 returns I filed back in 2021,” said Stacy Quinn of Rhinebeck. “ After a very frustrating year of follow up – including an appointment at the IRS regional office in Poughkeepsie, multiple IRS assurances that I would hear back but never did, and a request for help from a senator’s office that was ignored – I was about to lose hope. Congressman Ryan’s office responded immediately, however, provided frequent updates, and I received the missing refunds in 6 weeks.”
In the fall, the C.A.R.E.S. Van made a number of community stops at Hudson Valley Halloween and fall events to conveniently connect with families attending on accessing benefits and navigating federal programs.
This past summer, Congressman Ryan launched a specialized C.A.R.E.S. Van series that connected Hudson Valley seniors directly with one-on-one assistance from the Social Security Administration, Center for Medicare, and dozens of community partners as well as his team of expert caseworkers who assisted with federal agencies. Over the summer, Ryan also utilized the Van to deliver help with veterans services and federal agencies like assistance accessing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, requesting military medical records, obtaining lost military awards, and more directly to veterans at veterans service organizations (VSOs) throughout the Hudson Valley.
In March of last year, the C.A.R.E.S. Van completed its first district tour, visiting every one of the 82 cities, towns, and villages in NY-18 in under 10 months. During the first district tour, the Van reached over 1,500 constituents and logged 3,341 miles to bring assistance directly to Hudson Valley families where they are at. The Van has been critical in assisting Ryan’s team in securing nearly $24 million in casework assistance for NY-18 constituents.
In November 2023, the C.A.R.E.S. Van was utilized to bring assistance from the Social Security Administration back to Ulster County for a one-day senior resource fair organized by Congressman Ryan’s Office. The Van also made multiple stops at veterans service organizations in every county of NY-18 during Congressman Ryan’s Veterans Week of Action, for events that delivered specialized assistance directly to Hudson Valley veterans and honored their service.
Congressman Ryan mobilized the C.A.R.E.S. Van to assemble a coalition of community partners to deliver flood recovery resources during on-site events in communities impacted by last July’s devastating flooding.
The C.A.R.E.S. Van has also been used by Congressman Ryan to partner with other offices and organizations, such as the New York State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds, for specialty events.
Congressman Ryan has prioritized increasing the responsiveness and accessibility of these services. The C.A.R.E.S Van will visit every municipality in the district over the course of the next year, ensuring that every constituent has direct and easy access to vital federal services.
The schedule for the C.A.R.E.S. Van’s Spring events is as follows and updates will be provided via social media.
THURSDAY, MARCH 13:
11:00AM - 1:00PM
Cornwall Senior Center (Behind Cornwall Public Library)
40 Munger Drive
Cornwall, NY 12518
THURSDAY, MARCH 27:
10:30AM - 1:00PM
Pancakes in the Park (in partnership with Dutchess County Office for the Aging)
Bowdoin Park
85 Sheafe Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
**As space is limited, please call Dutchess County Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555 to register.
FRIDAY, MARCH 28:
10:00AM - 1:00PM
Senior Hub (in partnership with Ulster County Office for Aging)
5 Development Court
Kingston, NY 12401
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2:
10:30AM - 1:00PM
Pancakes in the Park (in partnership with Dutchess County Office for the Aging)
Pavilion at Brookmeade
34 Brookmeade Drive
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
*As space is limited, please call Dutchess County Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555 to register.
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