I hope you're all having a fabulous week.  I'm writing to tell you a quick story and let you know what I've been doing to strengthen Social Security for Granite Staters.

One of my most important responsibilities as your representative in Congress is advocating for people who run into roadblocks with federal agencies.  I often hear from people who are entitled to benefits and rely on them to make ends meet, but whose payments have been delayed or reduced.  Situations like these can be extremely frustrating, but my office is here to help.

I was recently contacted by Mike Rowe of Loudon, who was not receiving the full Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments that he believed he deserved.  He was originally placed on reduced disability benefits because he was receiving worker’s compensation when he first applied, but those payments had stopped in 2012. 

Every time he had contacted the Social Security Administration about his benefits, he had received conflicting information.  He also has a terminal liver disease, which made the stakes ever higher.  My staff contacted SSA on Mr. Rowe's behalf and was able to get $9,500 released in retroactive payments, as well as $989 in monthly SSDI benefits moving forward - a $389 increase from his previous monthly payments.

Social Security is essential in supporting middle class Granite Staters.  Seniors and people with disabilities have worked hard their entire lives as they raised their families, strengthened our state and country, and paid into this vital program. 

Since I took office, I have been fighting for sensible steps to ensure Social Security's solvency long into the future. There are almost 200,000 people over the age of 65 in New Hampshire - a significant population that deserves the respect and attention of its representatives and lawmakers. 

Social Security benefits alone add more than $2 billion dollars annually to the New Hampshire economy. Social Security has bolstered financial security for generations of widowed spouses, children, and people with disabilities.  I am proud to fight to preserve and protect Social Security, and to help ensure that Granite Staters receive the Social Security payments they have earned.

If you are having an issue with Social Security or any other federal agency, please reach out to one of my three New Hampshire offices - we're here to help! Thank you for everything you do to make the Granite State such a unique place to live.