Rep. Crane’s Office Helps Arizonans Recover More Than $12 Million Owed by Federal Agencies

Since January 2023, the office of Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) has helped return $12,181,269.26 to constituents of Arizona’s Second Congressional District. Over that same period, his staff has resolved 4,017 individual cases. This money is not new federal spending. Rather, it reflects delayed or stalled payments Arizonans were already owed, such as tax refunds, retirement and disability benefits, and veterans’ compensation. As a Member of Congress, Rep. Crane can contact federal agencies on behalf of those he represents. When residents run into problems with the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and others, his team helps them clear bureaucratic hurdles. This work often involves checking the status of a claim, identifying paperwork errors, and following up for an answer. However, there are limits to what casework can accomplish. Staff cannot override an agency’s decision, intervene in court proceedings, or guarantee a specific outcome. Instead, the goal is to ensure each case receives a fair and timely review. Some matters, such as driver’s licenses and unemployment insurance, are handled at the state level. In those situations, residents are directed to the proper state agency. To expand access, Rep. Crane’s team has held mobile office hours 232 times. Because the district covers a large portion of Arizona, a round trip to Prescott may take most of the day. These local visits bring assistance closer to home. To open a case, constituents must first sign a privacy release form. Under the Privacy Act of 1974 , agencies generally require this written consent before sharing a person’s records with a congressional office. If you need support navigating the federal government, please click here to get started. You can also call the Prescott District Office at (928) 286-5338 to speak directly with a caseworker. “I am grateful for my team back home and the effort they put in every day for Arizonans. Whether on the road or handling thousands of cases, they have secured meaningful wins for families across our district,” said Rep. Crane . “If you are stuck waiting on Washington, I encourage you to reach out to my staff. They will fight to get you the answers you deserve.”