Gottheimer touts help securing benefits for North Jersey veterans, seniors and families
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer joined North Jersey veterans, seniors and local families Tuesday to highlight how his office has helped constituents recover federal and state benefits and refunds, including military disability payments, unemployment benefits and airline ticket refunds.
Over the past four years, Gottheimer’s office has helped more than 655 veterans access Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and service medals, more than 1,580 seniors in the 5th District obtain their Social Security checks, and more than 4,430 residents receive unemployment benefits. His office also helped bring home more than 61 constituents who were stranded overseas, including some stuck in Israel after the Oct. 7 attacks, and has assisted scores of taxpayers in disputes with the IRS, according to the congressman.
Gottheimer appeared with several 5th District residents who said they benefited from his office’s work.
Donna and Willie Ivery of Hackensack described a years-long struggle to secure full VA disability benefits for Willie, a former U.S. Army reservist and Korean War veteran who served as a corporal in the artillery. After he was transported from the Paramus Veterans Home to a VA-approved doctor’s office, he was denied care because the co-pay was too high, and he had twice been denied disability compensation. Some of his records were destroyed in a fire, delaying his case further.
Gottheimer’s office contacted the VA Pension Management Center and the Newark VA office to press for answers. The office said it helped secure a 100% service-connected disability rating for Willie, more than $75,000 in back pay, and monthly disability compensation benefits of more than $3,900.
Another constituent, Pamela Connors of New Milford, sought help after falling severely ill and applying to the New Jersey Department of Labor’s temporary disability insurance program. She said she did not hear back for three months and turned to Gottheimer’s staff. Within a few weeks, according to the office, her claim was approved and she received more than $5,400 in benefits.
After returning to work, Connors became ill again and encountered a paperwork issue that blocked her from extending those benefits. Gottheimer’s office said it helped her obtain Social Security disability insurance benefits and ensured they were backdated. In total, she received nearly $5,500 from the state and more than $12,000 in back pay from Social Security, with a monthly benefit rate of $2,400.
Gottheimer also highlighted the case of Svitlana Sukharieva of Allendale, originally from Ukraine, who was trying to travel back to her home country with her 6-year-old son when the town she planned to visit was bombed. Pregnant at the time, she paid to change her Lufthansa flight because of safety concerns but said the airline refused to refund her. Within a month of Gottheimer’s office reaching out, Lufthansa agreed she was owed the money and began processing the refund, according to the congressman’s office.
“I’m always fighting for the Fifth District, not just by focusing on issues our nation is facing, but local ones as well. By taking care of Fifth District constituents, we’ve helped thousands of residents who’ve been denied Social Security checks, VA benefits, health care, or critical resources they need — all due to bureaucratic glitches or red tape,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “If you need help with any of the issues accessing Medicare, Social Security, passports, VA benefits, and so much more, please reach out to me.”
Gottheimer’s office said constituents facing problems with federal agencies — including the VA, Social Security, Medicare, the State Department for passports, or delayed IRS refunds — can call his Fair Lawn office at 201-389-1100, email HelpNJ5@mail.house.gov or visit Gottheimer.house.gov for more information.
