Gottheimer’s office helps North Jersey residents recover more than $171,000 in benefits, refunds and other funds
HACKENSACK, N.J. (Bergen County) — U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer recently met with North Jersey residents whose cases his office helped resolve involving military pension payments, health insurance coverage, identity theft, immigration documents and delayed federal tax refunds.
Gottheimer, D-5th District, joined veterans, seniors, health care workers and families to discuss their experiences obtaining assistance from federal agencies and private companies. According to his office, the cases highlighted involved more than $171,000 in recovered funds and resolved financial claims.
“One of the most important parts of my job is being an advocate and a champion for the families I’m lucky to represent here in North Jersey. By fighting for our Fifth District families, we’ve helped thousands of residents who’ve been denied Social Security checks, unemployment benefits, VA benefits, critical health care, tax refunds, or crucial resources they need, often because of bureaucratic red tape,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Whether it’s the IRS, an insurance company, or a federal agency that’s gotten it wrong, I’ll always fight for Jersey families across the Fifth District to get what they are owed and deserve. If you need help with any issues, including Medicare, Social Security, passports, VA benefits, and so much more, please reach out to me.”
According to Gottheimer’s office, its constituent services team has recovered more than $173 million for residents to date. Over the past five years, the office reported helping more than 780 veterans access Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and service medals, assisting more than 1,834 seniors with Social Security benefits and recovering more than $2.6 million from the Social Security Administration. The office also reported helping more than 4,500 constituents obtain unemployment benefits, assisting more than 65 residents stranded overseas, including some in Israel after Oct. 7, and recovering more than $120 million owed to small businesses, nonprofit organizations and residents by the Internal Revenue Service.
Sussex County residents receive assistance
Among those highlighted was Suzanne Jackson of Highland Lakes, a registered nurse who has worked at Englewood Hospital for more than 40 years. According to Gottheimer’s office, Jackson contacted his team in July after UnitedHealthcare denied coverage for a prosthetic limb, initially determining that it was not medically necessary.
Although her physician said she qualified for a K3 prosthetic with a microprocessor knee, the insurance company approved only a K2 prosthetic following her first appeal. The lower-level prosthetic would not allow Jackson to continue working 12-hour nursing shifts, according to the congressman’s office. After months of attempting to resolve the issue, Jackson contacted Gottheimer’s office, which reached out to UnitedHealthcare. The following day, the insurer approved the K3 prosthetic with a microprocessor knee, allowing Jackson to continue working at Englewood Hospital.
Another Sussex County resident, Kevin Noah of Vernon, sought assistance after waiting eight months for his federal income tax refund. According to Gottheimer’s office, the IRS eventually requested additional documentation that Noah could no longer obtain. His situation was complicated by his wife, Maryellen, having stopped working in January and Noah becoming her primary caregiver following her hospitalization.
Gottheimer’s team contacted the Taxpayer Advocate Service and explained the family’s circumstances. The office said Noah’s refund of more than $7,000 was released in less than a month, with approximately one month passing between his initial request for assistance and receipt of the refund.
“This is how the government is supposed to work,” Noah said.
Military pension and identity theft cases resolved
Tom Gallagher of Mahwah contacted Gottheimer’s office on behalf of his brother, retired Air Force Maj. John P. Gallagher, who served more than 20 years in the military and now lives in an assisted living facility after being diagnosed with early dementia. According to the congressman’s office, Gallagher’s military pension payments had stopped for five months after his bank account was closed because of fraudulent and unauthorized withdrawals.
Tom Gallagher, who holds power of attorney for his brother, sought assistance in resolving the issue with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Gottheimer’s office contacted the agency, which processed the necessary forms the following day and restored the pension account to active payment status. Within a week, the agency confirmed that the issue had been resolved and back pay had been issued. Less than two weeks after contacting the congressional office, Tom Gallagher confirmed that his brother had received the pension payments owed to him.
In another case, Robert Lunzer of Englewood discovered that money had been deducted from his monthly Social Security retirement benefits for approximately a year because of a Small Business Administration COVID-19 loan he said he never obtained. The fraudulent loan totaled more than $93,000, according to Gottheimer’s office. The application contained a name that was not Lunzer’s, a signature he said he had never provided and an offshore bank account designated to receive the money.
After two weeks of unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue with the SBA, Lunzer contacted Gottheimer’s office. The congressional team contacted the agency the following day, and the matter was referred to its fraud unit. Within a week, the SBA validated Lunzer’s identity theft claim, forgave the $93,600 fraudulent debt, stopped deductions from his Social Security benefits and refunded approximately $4,500.
Immigration paperwork and delayed tax refunds
Joey Shimm of Tenafly sought assistance for his wife, Yoko, after her green card arrived with an incorrect extra initial in her name. A replacement card contained the same error. When Yoko’s 95-year-old mother suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in Japan, she needed documentation from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to travel internationally. However, the earliest available appointment was after her scheduled flight.
Gottheimer’s office contacted the USCIS Newark Field Office and secured an appointment for the following day. Yoko received an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunications stamp, known as an ADIT stamp, in her Japanese passport, providing temporary proof of her lawful permanent resident status. She was then able to travel to Japan to be with her hospitalized mother. The congressional office said it will continue assisting the family until the green card error is corrected.
Ann Marie and Jim Dunlop of Haworth, both in their 80s, also received assistance after experiencing delays with their federal income tax refund. The couple filed their taxes in mid-March and completed an identity verification requested by the IRS. However, they continued receiving letters approximately every six weeks stating that the agency needed additional time.
Gottheimer’s office contacted the Taxpayer Advocate Service and learned that the return was under review because of questions involving income and withholding information. The congressional team worked with Ann Marie Dunlop and her accountant to gather the necessary records and submit them to the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Following a referral to the IRS, the couple’s refund of more than $22,500 was mailed within several weeks.
David Mitnick of Glen Rock and his wife, Shelly Berger-Mitnick, sought assistance with a delayed federal tax refund and a penalty abatement request. According to Gottheimer’s office, the couple had been audited by the IRS and found ineligible for an energy tax credit claimed in one tax year, although they later learned they qualified for the credit the following year.
Mitnick repaid the federal income tax amount owed for the earlier year, requested penalty relief and filed an amended return. After more than eight months without a refund or decision, the couple contacted Gottheimer’s office. The congressional team worked with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, Mitnick and the couple’s certified public accountant to provide the necessary documentation. Two months after the couple requested assistance, the IRS confirmed a $4,427.59 penalty abatement and a $20,413.78 federal tax refund, totaling more than $24,800.
Constituent assistance available
Gottheimer’s office said residents of New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District experiencing difficulties with federal agencies can request assistance with matters involving VA benefits, Social Security, Medicare, passports, delayed IRS refunds and other federal services. Residents can contact his Fair Lawn office at 201-389-1100, email HelpNJ5@mail.house.gov or visit Gottheimer.House.Gov for additional information.
