ON THE ROAD

I was honored to speak at the Small Communities, Big Solutions Conference with our Southern West Virginia higher education community. We have so much opportunity in the southern part of our state and I’m hopeful that we can create much-needed jobs.

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This week, FCC chairman Ajit Pai and I attended a meeting with the WV Broadcasters Association, where I stressed the importance of rural broadband coverage. This lack of access affects West Virginians every single day. So far, I have sent more than 100 speed test letters submitted by constituents from across WV lacking access to broadband to Chairman Pai. Read more and learn how to submit your speed test to my office here.

Click here to watch.

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I was grateful for the opportunity to Skype with Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School students and congratulate Brian Allman, who recently received the prestigious Milken Educator Award.

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Regional Coordinator Michael Garcia delivered replacement World War II medals to Ms. Brenda Welch of Lost Creek. Ms. Welch had contacted my office for assistance in obtaining her late father’s World War II replacement medals. Caseworker Sylvia Asbury worked with Ms. Welch during the process. I am proud to join Ms. Welch and all Americans in recognizing Kenneth Swiger's noble service and sacrifice.

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Representative JoBeth Delawder provided information about services my office can assist with, and also helped serve dinner to the families of those about to deploy with the West Virginia National Guard.

Pictured below: JoBeth Delawder, members of the American Legion Post #64 and Auxiliary, West Virginia National Guard Family Support, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9606 and Auxiliary.

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HOW MAY WE HELP YOU?

To request assistance from my case team, click here.

As your U.S. Senator, I am proud to be your voice with government agencies during your time of need. My goal is for me and my staff to provide the best possible customer service for every West Virginian who contacts me needing assistance. While I have no direct jurisdiction in legal or administrative matters of any federal, state, or local agency, I welcome the opportunity to assist you in any way possible and to assure that full consideration is given to your case. See one of our recent success stories below:

Mr. Kestner from Valley Grove, West Virginia, contacted the Senator's office requesting assistance with his Social Security disability claim. He had been denied twice in the past for his disability. Caseworker Gerrie Greene contacted the SSA ODAR office and requested a hearing date for Mr. Kestner. His hearing date was scheduled for October 29, however, SSA notified Mr. Kestner on October 10 that his disability was approved and his monthly payments will be process by the payment center. 

 

IN YOUR COMMUNITY

To inform our office of community events we can showcase, click here.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Availability Announcement 

The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations that Dec. 10 is the filing deadline for federal economic injury disaster loans in West Virginia as a result of the combined effects of excessive rain, flash flooding, Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael from April 1 through Dec. 31, 2018.

The loans are available in the following counties: Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Putnam, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Upshur, Webster, Wirt and Wood in West Virginia.

Learn more here.

Social Security Phone Scam - Learn How to Protect Yourself

Social Security employees do occasionally contact people--generally those who have ongoing business with the agency--by telephone for business purposes. However, Social Security employees will never threaten a person or promise a Social Security benefit approval, or increase, in exchange for information. In those cases, the call is fraudulent and people should not engage with the caller. If a person receives these calls, he or she should report the information to the OIG Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271 or online at https://oig.ssa.gov/report.

To watch a PSA about the scam, click here or visit www.ssa.gov for more information.

Social Security has recently worked with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission to create a new fraud prevention placemat to help you avoid Social Security scams. You can order free copies of the placemat to use at dining venues, or to share with friends and family. The placemat is in English on one side and Spanish on the other side.

 

To learn more, call my office Toll Free at (855) 275-5737, email me, or find me on social media:

             

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