Kelly’s Office Helps Arizonans Resolve Issues with Federal Agencies

Recent casework helped Arizonans recover withheld benefits and military back pay, secure caregiver support, and receive long-awaited World War II medals Every day, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly’s office helps Arizonans across the state resolve issues with federal agencies and access the benefits they have earned. Recent cases include recovering Social Security benefits and $11,500 in military back pay, securing caregiver support for a disabled veteran, and helping a Flagstaff family receive World War II medals that had never been issued. These are just a few examples of the work Kelly’s office does year-round to help Arizonans navigate federal agencies and get the answers, benefits, and services they deserve: Social Security Lyubov from Phoenix contacted Senator Kelly’s office after the Social Security Administration incorrectly included a Holocaust restitution payment when calculating her income and resources, even though federal law excludes these payments from determining federal benefits. The error resulted in the agency withholding $99.40 from her monthly benefit. After Kelly’s office provided supporting documentation to the agency, Social Security corrected her record and returned the benefits that had been withheld. Veterans Affairs Pam from Buckeye contacted Senator Kelly’s office after spending two years trying to secure respite caregiver services through the Department of Veterans Affairs for her disabled veteran husband. After Kelly’s office contacted the VA, the agency approved the services, allowing Pam to travel with her husband and receive caregiver support while tending to other family responsibilities. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the assistance. The burden that you relieved for us is incalculable. It’s an honor to have you as my senator,” said Pam . Military Records and Pay Staff Sergeant Baltazar from Tucson contacted Senator Kelly’s office after a long-standing error in his military records incorrectly listed his time in service as beginning in 2019, despite serving continuously in the U.S. Army since 2011. The error affected his pay, benefits, and career progression and remained unresolved despite years of attempts to correct it. After Kelly’s office contacted the Department of the Army and followed up on the case, Baltazar’s service record was corrected, and he received $11,500 in back pay. “After such a long and frustrating journey, having this finally settled is a massive relief for me and my family,” said Baltazar . “I truly believe I could not have gotten this resolved without your office’s intervention and support. Thank you for having my back.” World War II Medals Stewart from Flagstaff met Kelly’s staff during a visit to Meteor Crater and shared that his father’s World War II medals had never been issued. After years of trying to obtain the medals, including contacting several congressional offices, Kelly’s office contacted the Army on his behalf, and the Army issued and mailed the medals to Thomson. “Thank you so much for this quick and positive outcome. I can’t wait to inform three generations of family members,” said Stewart . Senator Kelly is committed to ensuring the federal government delivers for Arizona. Constituents needing assistance with federal agencies can contact his office at https://www.kelly.senate.gov/services/casework.