CONGRESSMAN RYAN DELIVERS ON PROMISE OF A GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR ALL, SECURES $30 MILLION OWED TO CONSTITUENTS BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Congressman Ryan Delivers on Promise of a Government that Works for All, Secures $30 Million Owed to Constituents by Federal Government
Ryan’s team of caseworkers has secured $30 million owed to NY-18 constituents by federal agencies
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Pat Ryan announced that his team of expert caseworkers has secured $30 million owed to NY-18 constituents by federal agencies. Cases most commonly involved the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Aided in large part by his mobile C.A.R.E.S Van, today’s announcement reflects Congressman Ryan’s prioritization of serving constituents directly and making government assistance easy and accessible.
“From day one, my top priority has been delivering much-needed economic relief to our neighbors across the Hudson Valley,” said Congressman Ryan. “My team leaves no stone unturned to make sure that Hudson Valley families receive every dollar they deserve. Everyone’s feeling the pressure of making ends meet – we’re helping deliver the extra breathing room families need to finally exhale. If there is absolutely anything my team or I can be helpful with, please do not hesitate to reach out.”
“I had spent 30 months trying to get my social security benefits and had gotten nowhere,” said Thomas Christopher of Port Jervis. “After contacting Congressman Ryan's office I was put in touch with Destiny H.who interceded on my behalf and got me results. I cannot thank her enough and am totally sincere when I say that her help changed my life.”
“For months on end, Middletown Medical was being stonewalled by two health plans for large payments. Their representatives would repeatedly make commitments that payments were on the way, but they never came through, putting Middletown Medical in a significantly difficult position,” said Darcy Shepard, CEO of Middletown Medical. “As soon as we reached out to Congressman Ryan’s office, each immediately met their financial obligations. Middletown Medical is very thankful for the instant financial relief provided by Congressman Ryan’s caseworkers!”
“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!”
“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!”
“The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, an historic Hudson Valley service organization, experienced an unexpected automated action from the IRS that if not resolved quickly could have had very negative consequences. I immediately contacted Congressman Ryan's office for advice and support,” said David Toman, Executive Director of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. “The Congressman's staff promptly responded to our request for assistance, contacted the IRS Tax Advocate Services on our behalf, and advocated for our need to expedite review and resolution with professional skill. We greatly appreciate the response we received.”
“For two years after retiring from federal service, I was unable to get my full annuity despite numerous phone calls and written correspondence to the Office of Personnel Management,” said Joseph Curto of Modena. “Congressman Ryan's Constituent Advocates accomplished in a matter of months what I could not in two years. I am extremely grateful for their assistance.”
“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.”
"My elderly brother was admitted to the hospital in need of acute care for 3 weeks and then transferred to a rehab center for a month-long stay to regain his motor skills. He had no insurance and only a pending application for Social Security and Medicare,” said John St. Leger of Poughkeepsie. “We contacted Congressman Ryan's Office and they were able to have my brother's application for benefits quickly approved. Without their assistance, particularly Maria Ingrassia, Director of Constituent Services, I'm not sure how our family crisis would have been resolved. Thanks to all of you! What a difference you have made."
“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.”
“Thank you to Congressman Ryan’s office for your help with obtaining my husband’s insurance policy through the Office of Personnel Management,” said Dutchess County resident Marianne Walker. “I tried to resolve the issue since November 2022, but could not get an answer. After I contacted Congressman Ryan’s office, the problem was resolved within two weeks. Thank you for also keeping in contact with me through the entire process.”
“I would like to sincerely thank Congressman Ryan's office for all their assistance with reinstating my disability compensation benefit payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs and retrieving over $15,000.00 in retroactive benefit payments,” said Beacon resident and veteran Christopher Kattis.
“Representative Pat Ryan stands by his commitments to his constituents, tackling government and Social Security bureaucracy and ensuring that senior citizens in his district are not just a number to be ignored,” said Barbara Myers of Middletown. “After 14 months of frustration with the Social Security Administration for benefits owed to me, Representative Ryan’s office was able to support me and resolve my challenge with Social Security in less than a week.”
Congressman Pat Ryan has prioritized serving constituents directly and providing easily accessible casework assistance since taking office. He unveiled his mobile office, the Constituent Advocacy Resources Empowerment Services (C.A.R.E.S.) Van, in the summer of 2023 to bring assistance with federal agencies directly to constituents in their own neighborhoods. In under one year, the C.A.R.E.S. Van visited every one of the 82 municipalities in NY-18, allowing Ryan’s caseworkers to assist nearly 2,000 constituents in their own communities.
Congressman Ryan has also held numerous resource fairs, connecting constituents with additional services outside of federal agencies and financial aid not included in the $30 million from federal agencies. Most recently, in April, Ryan held a Senior Resource Fair at the Kingston YMCA that connected over 150 Hudson Valley seniors with assistance from dozens of community partners and organizations. Congressman Ryan’s office additionally provides assistance with federal agencies that do not include monetary returns, including assistance with passports, immigration cases, returning lost military medals, securing military and personnel records, and more.
In addition to the $30 million from federal agencies returned to individual constituents and organizations, Congressman Ryan has also secured major federal funding and grants for local communities, businesses, and organizations, including the $21.7 million RAISE grant for Kingston to restore its waterfront, the largest in the city’s history. Congressman Ryan has also delivered funding for local small businesses and farmers to save money on their energy costs, including a USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant for Sheely’s Walden Car Wash to install a solar array and save 72% of its annual energy use.
Constituents, businesses, local governments, and organizations interested in casework assistance from Congressman Ryan’s office are encouraged to reach out by calling (845) 443-2930 or here on his website.
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