(West Windsor, NJ) – U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today announced that, as of this week, he has helped to secure more than $1 million in 2012 through his one-on-one advocacy for residents of central New Jersey.

The current total of $1,092,286 includes veterans’ and Social Security benefits that Holt helped to secure, inaccurately assessed IRS penalties that Holt helped to overturn, and health insurance claims that Holt helped to ensure were paid.

“In most cases, federal agencies do a good job of ensuring that people receive the money they are owed,” Holt said.  “But sometimes, people find that they have fallen through the cracks or simply haven’t received fair treatment from their government.  I help people from many backgrounds – from people of comfortable means to those who are living below the poverty line, including many seniors, veterans, soldiers, and new citizens.  Many feel that they have nowhere else to turn, and I do my best to help.”

Among the constituents whom Holt has helped so far this year:

• In January, Holt heard from a South River resident who was a victim of identity theft.  The man could not receive his tax refund because a hold had been placed on his IRS account.  After Holt’s intervention, he received a check for $3,627.
  
  
• In February, a West Windsor resident contacted Holt because her deceased husband, a 100% disabled veteran who had died from service-related injuries, had applied for disability benefits that had never been awarded.  With Holt’s help, she received a total of $116,105 in retroactive benefits, burial benefits, and other payments.
  
  
• In February, Holt was contacted by a Manalapan resident who had been denied an insurance payment for the costs of ambulance travel to an emergency room.  After Holt reached out to the insurer, the constituent was reimbursed $924.
  
  
• In March, Holt heard from an Old Bridge resident who had been injured on the job but was denied Social Security Disability benefits.  After Holt’s intervention, the constituent’s application was approved, and he received benefits totaling $32,464.

In addition to assistance that produces direct financial benefits, Holt also works to help constituents who have encountered non-financial problems with federal agencies, such as delays in passport or visa applications, difficulty in recovering lost discharge papers or military medals, and much more.  So far in the 112th Congress, Holt has worked to help resolve nearly 4,000 problems brought to his attention by constituents.

Central New Jersey residents who have encountered difficulties in their dealings with any federal agency are encouraged to contact Holt by visiting http://holt.house.gov/contact or calling 1-87-RUSH-HOLT (1-877-874-4658).

Holt wrote about his work to directly serve constituents in a recent letter to the editor published in the New York Times.  “Being a representative means much more than simply legislating in some abstract sense removed from the people of, by and for whom the government exists,” Holt wrote.  “It means being the person who connects each American with his or her government.  Of course, I am aware that for each person I help there are others I have not been able to help. Still, constituent service is my way of showing people that their government cares about them regardless of their station in life and is my way of beating back the cynicism about our ability to govern ourselves.”