Rep. Mike Levin Saves Constituents in the 49th District More Than $1.5 Million Through Casework Services

September 14, 2020
Press Release

San Juan Capistrano, CA – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) announced that his office has officially saved constituents more than $1,545,000. These savings came from casework services for constituents in North County San Diego and South Orange County since he was sworn in to office in January, 2019. More than 30 constituents have saved over $10,000 each as a result of casework conducted by Rep. Levin’s staff. In total, constituents have saved more than $892,000 through the Social Security Administration (SSA), nearly $300,000 through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and more than $145,000 through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Rep. Levin’s office processes dozens of constituent cases at a time, and is working to resolve an influx of cases as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Constituents should contact Rep. Levin’s office for assistance with any federal agency by calling (760) 599-5000 or by visiting Rep. Levin’s “Help with a Federal Agency” webpage. While constituents cannot be guaranteed a favorable outcome in all cases, they will be assigned a dedicated staff member who will work with them one-on-one to resolve their case.

“Serving families in North County San Diego and South Orange County is a tremendous honor, and providing excellent casework services for my constituents is one of my top priorities,” said Rep. Levin. “While many people are often distracted by partisan politics in Washington, these casework services are far more important and I am proud of the positive results we’ve been able to deliver for constituents. This will continue to be my focus for as long as I have the honor of serving the 49th District, and I encourage constituents to reach out if they’re having issues with federal agencies so we can get on the case and do our best to resolve it."

A number of constituents agreed to share their casework success stories:

Daniel Fox from Carlsbad received help with the IRS: “Congressman Mike Levin and [staff] were able to achieve what accountants, lawyers and taxpayer advocates could not! They succeeded in getting the IRS to re-examine its improper personal income tax calculation from fiscal year 2010 and return money improperly seized over the past several years.”

James Frohling from San Clemente received help with Medicare: “It is reassuring to know that something still works in our country. After seven months of fruitless attempts to restore my Medicare Part B coverage, the office of Mike Levin was able to successfully restore it within a short time. I am deeply grateful to Mr. Levin and his staff.”

Julian Joshua from Dana Point received help with a federal agency: “Not everybody knows that one of the most important jobs of a US Representative is his or her role of facilitating interaction between constituents and the federal bureaucracy. This essential function has no connection with party politics. I have to give Mike Levin and his team top marks in this department. I recently had a seemingly intractable issue with a federal agency on a fairly complex matter. Although I was in the right, the agency staff put case in a drawer and after many calls issued an unfavorable disposition that showed they had not understood the legal provision in question. Within a few days of my asking Representative Levin to intervene, I received a phone call from a senior manager to come in that afternoon and 24 hours later the agency admitted their error and the matter was resolved in my favor. There is nothing like the magic words ‘ Congressional Inquiry’ to get the bureaucracy moving. All thanks to Mike Levin’s team for taking this up.”

Diane Rogers from San Clemente received help with the Social Security Administration: “After months of struggling with Social Security to help my son be able to have his benefits reinstated, I contacted [staff] at Congressman Mike Levin’s office. If it weren’t for the Congressional Inquiry that was sent to Social Security, we would still be without my son’s social security benefits. Congressman Mike Levin went to bat for us. We are thankful.”

Michael K. from Oceanside received help with the Department of Homeland Security: Thanks again for your help. I don’t think ever I’ve called or interacted with any of my local representatives’ offices. This was a very positive experience and you were so great at going after a solution and finding ways to make this work for us. You far exceeded my expectations for the level of attention and follow up I hoped for.”

Danielle and Robert Chirco from San Diego received help with Social Security and Medicare benefits: As constituents of Mr. Mike Levin, we turned to him and his staff when we were having trouble getting back payment for my husband’s social security disability payments. My husband is a 28 year career Navy Special Forces combat disabled veteran that had waited over 2 years since his application for social security disability decision, entitlement, and any associated back pay… If it was not for the invaluable help and hard work from [staff] and Mr. Mike Levin, I believe that we would still be waiting for my husband’s backpay to this day, 10 months later. We are beyond grateful for what they accomplished for us.”

Doug Hansen from Carlsbad received help with an immigration issue: "We are grateful to have such a fine person and helpful staff representing us—together you help make the world a better place."

Chris Hendrickson from San Clemente received help with a pension issue: "I could not be more impressed with the professionalism, responsiveness, and results this constituent received from Congressman Levin and his staff."

Angelita Mason from Oceanside received help with a Social Security issue: “Congressman Levin, I cannot thank you enough for the help you provided for me. Your staff was awesome. She took care of my cry of emergency and the result was unheard of… Without your help, I probably homeless already. You provided me peace of mind. Thank you so much. Thank you.”

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