LEBANON BOROUGH, N.J. – U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ-7) announced Friday that his office has returned more than $20 million to constituents in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District since taking office in January 2023.
Kean’s office has closed more than 3,781 constituent cases, recovering $20,606,504 from federal agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, and others.
One recent case involved Wharton Arts, a nonprofit organization in Berkeley Heights, which sought assistance from Kean’s office in securing more than $900,000 owed through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). The funds, initially delayed since October 2023, were released following outreach from Kean’s casework team.
Wharton Arts is the largest independent nonprofit performing arts education center in New Jersey, serving more than 2,000 students across 12 counties through programs such as the New Jersey Youth Symphony, New Jersey Youth Chorus, and the Paterson Music Project.
“My office has reached a major milestone of securing over $20 million in casework returns for residents of New Jersey’s 7th District,” said Kean. “To the thousands of families, seniors, veterans, and small businesses who received the benefits and support they needed and deserved: thank you for reaching out and trusting my team with these personal matters.”
Gina Caruso, executive director of Wharton Arts, praised the support. “We received the money for our claims, which will now save Wharton Arts and help us to make plans for the future of this longstanding, beloved organization,” she said.
Constituents in need of assistance with federal agencies can contact Kean’s district office in Lebanon Borough at (908) 547-3307 or visit kean.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency. Satellite office hours are held during the first week of each month across the district.
