Representative Malinowski Provides Constituent Services Updates

Press release from Representative Tom Malinowski:

June 11, 2020

(Somerville, NJ) Representative Malinowski and his staff continue to work around the clock to serve constituents during this public health crisis. Since the middle of March, the office has opened over 2,100 casework requests from constituents and resolved over 1,000. Many of these cases come from constituents seeking help securing unemployment benefits, small business resources, and the IRS Economic Impact Payments. Several constituents shared their experience receiving help from the office below:

"I contacted the office of Congressman Malinowski after hearing a live phone town hall meeting. One of the topics was in reference to all the problems with unemployment during this pandemic. He offered help to anyone having difficulties to contact his office, which I did immediately. The following day a nice lady contacted me for the details of my problem...Within 2-3 days I received an email to claim my unemployment which was deposited shortly after. This would not have happened without their help. This office made a big difference in my life right now during COVID-19 quarantine, this will help with food for my family and to pay some of the bills. Thank you again to the office of Congressman Tom Malinowski, I feel like you are on our side," said Sharon from Union.

"As an independent travel planner, I suddenly found my small but thriving business evaporate due to our current health emergency. Once I saw that the PUA system was in place, I did apply. Not receiving any info and with no one to speak to, I contacted your office. Excellent service. [His staff] was very responsive, and finally I did start my benefits. I very much appreciate the help I received from Congressman Malinowski's office," said Roberta from Clark.

The most effective way to reach out to the office regarding federal casework, is by filling out the online casework form, located here. If you are seeking assistance for an issue regarding unemployment benefits, email nj07.casework@mail.house.gov. For issues regarding the Small Business Administration, email nj07.smallbusiness@mail.house.gov. Please provide contact information and a detailed explanation of your case when reaching out. While we cannot guarantee you a favorable outcome, we will do our best to reach back out and help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem.

Though our offices in Somerville and in Washington, DC have suspended all in-person activity, Representative Malinowski and staff have continued to connect with constituents one-on-one in a variety of ways. Over 300 individual meetings with constituents have been held over conference call and Zoom since remote working began. To request a meeting with the Congressman or a staff member visit: https://malinowski.house.gov/contact/request-meeting.

The office has been offering regular virtual events including the county by county Congress in Your Kitchen series to provide opportunities for constituents to ask Representative Malinowski questions on the federal response to COVID-19 and share their concerns. The Congressman has hosted over 15 Congress in Your Kitchen events and plans to host more as social distancing guidelines remain in place. To further connect with constituents in a larger capacity, the Congressman has hosted five district-wide COVID-19 focused telephone town halls, reaching thousands of constituents. You can listen to the latest telephone town hall here.

For the past several months, the Congressman and his staff have been in close contact with constituents stranded abroad, and have secured the return of 51 NJ-07 residents and family members. Without notice, many countries closed their borders, severely limiting commercial flights, and leaving constituents with few options of return. If you know of a district resident or family member struggling to evacuate due to the global pandemic, please contact our office for assistance.

Congressman Malinowski’s office frequently provides constituents with updates to the federal response to COVID-19 through our e-newsletter. Visit https://malinowski.house.gov/contact/newsletter-subscribe to receive the latest from Congress.

“Seeing our constituents through this crisis is our office’s only priority. It’s gratifying to know that we can play a small part in making people’s lives just a little less stressful right now,” said Representative Malinowski. “I will continue to be relentless in my efforts to ensure that Congress keeps its commitments to the American people in this time of growing uncertainly.”

This press release was produced by Representative Tom Malinowski. The views expressed here are the author's own.