Underwood Announces Over $11.1 Million in Savings and Earned Benefits Returned to Residents of the 14th District
WEST CHICAGO— Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) announced that she has successfully helped secure over $11.1 million in savings and earned benefits for residents of the 14th District of Illinois. The money returned is the result of tireless advocacy from Underwood fighting for constituents to help resolve issues with federal agencies, including securing veterans' benefits, Medicare and Social Security benefits, obtaining or renewing passports, student loans, and assisting constituents in navigating immigration services.
Additionally, Underwood has remained accessible to constituents seeking assistance to navigate the coronavirus pandemic. Underwood has helped repatriate constituents who found themselves stuck overseas due to travel restrictions and delivered federal resources to Illinois families and small businesses.
"Navigating federal agencies and cutting through all the red tape can be confusing, difficult, and downright frustrating. Especially now, when many of our neighbors are navigating new challenges, the coronavirus pandemic has broadened that scope of how I can help serve our community," said Underwood. "It is my honor to be able to help, and I encourage members of our community to reach out if they are in need of assistance."
In April 2020, Congresswoman Underwood was contacted by Plainfield resident, Ninad, whose wife was trying to return home to the U.S. from India amidst the coronavirus pandemic, but unable to secure a flight home. Underwood immediately contacted the State Department to help secure Ninad's wife a seat on the last scheduled evacuation flight from India.
"Out of desperation, I reached out to Congresswoman Underwood for help. Within hours her staff reached out to me to collect details about my wife. Congresswoman Underwood and her staff called numerous times to the State Department and U.S. Consulate in Mumbai to inquire about my wife's evacuation status. Finally, a day before the last scheduled evacuation flight from Mumbai, my wife received a call from U.S. Consulate in Mumbai to tell her that she has a confirmed seat on the last flight. My wife and I are grateful for Congresswoman Underwood and her staff to take a personal interest in our situation and help my wife come back to the United States. Due to her efforts, my wife was able to celebrate both of our kid's birthdays. More than that, I was able to get my partner back with whom I can share my parenting duties in this difficult time," said Ninad.
In April, Congresswoman Underwood helped Lake in the Hills resident, Sonia Martinez, who was seeking help to receive back-due Social Security benefits owed to her deceased father. In less than two months, Underwood was able to help Sonia and her family receive the funds owed to them.
"I contacted Congresswoman Underwood's office after my father won a case for disability with Social Security. They owed him backpay for the case taking so long to close. After he finally won his case, he passed away due to his illness. Social Security was taking a long time to release the money owed. My mother started struggling with bills on her own, and I decided to get help. When I contacted Congresswoman Underwood, she took down all my information, and I sent her all the documents needed. Her office kept me updated all the time with any news. I was so surprised to see that she was able to get social Security to release the money, and it didn't take long at all. I am so thankful for her and the help she provided. I'm so glad I contacted the Congresswoman, and I would recommend her to anyone that needs help," said Sonia.
In April 2020, Congresswoman Underwood helped Harvard resident Steven Sorenson understand how the CARES Act would impact his family and whether he would receive the $1,200 economic impact payment. Steven had a unique situation and was not able to find reliable information online.
"I reached out to Congresswoman Underwood's office for help with my family's unique situation with regards to the 2020 stimulus bill. After much effort, I had found no answers to my unique questions until Congresswoman Underwood was able to ascertain the information needed for our unusual situation… I applaud Underwood and the others from her office, which aided my family. Thank you," said Steven.
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