(Houston, TX) — Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher announced that her office has successfully closed more than 3,000 constituent cases for residents of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District.  Her office provides assistance for residents working with federal agencies.  Since taking office in 2019, the types of cases have ranged from assistance obtaining veterans’ benefits, to visas and passport renewals, and more.  Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congresswoman Fletcher’s office has also helped small businesses obtain federal relief, ensured constituents received their economic impact payment from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and helped individuals navigate unemployment claims. 

“I am proud our team has helped more than 3,000 people in our district obtain the help they need,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “It is a privilege for me and my team to be able to provide tangible assistance to district residents, especially in these difficult times.  We are dedicated to helping and serving our neighbors in every way we can.”

In her 2020 Mid-Year Report, Fletcher noted that more than half of the new cases closed in 2020 were related to COVID-19, with residents seeking assistance with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Small Business Administration (SBA), and the IRS. 

In addition to casework numbers, Fletcher and her team have engaged in community-wide outreach to let residents know about the services the office can provide—setting up “pop-up” office hours  at locations in Cy-Fair, Meyerland, and Gulfton and sending mailers outlining services provided to all district residents.  

Below are some testimonials from constituents Congresswoman Fletcher and her team have helped: 

“My friend has 3 children and had not been able to get a hold of TWC for her pandemic pay.  Since March, she kept receiving an error message when attempting to log in and an automatic message that due to the pandemic she’d need to call later.  I was also having an issue getting a hold of TWC in regard to my benefits being paid oddly due to a claim that my earnings had changed when they had not.  

I sent one online submission to your office, and within just a few hours was reached out to by Spencer G., who put in a request to the TWC to contact both my friend and I.  Maybe a day later my friend and I were both contacted and our TWC problems were resolved!  My friend received much needed funds to care for herself and her children, and I got peace knowing they were going to be ok and my issue was also explained.  Thank you!” 

Danielle Cooper

“Lizzie Fletcher's office helped me out more than once.  I was unemployed due to COVID. A few times when I was applying for unemployment the online system had issues. There was no way to contact unemployment. Lizzie had sent out an email saying if you are having any trouble, please contact her office. I did. One of her staff members, Spencer G., helped right away and unemployment was calling me. Problem solved. Spencer stayed in touch making sure I was taken care of.

Then I had an issue with IRS. I could not get through. They were holding on to my deceased father's refund. I took a chance and emailed Spencer to see if they could get me through to IRS. This time a staff member named Claudia M. came to rescue. She spoke to a tax advocate for me and took care of the issue. The money was quickly deposited.”

Julie Cone

“I contacted Lizzie because my girlfriend and I were trapped in Peru during the lockdown of Peru. The President of Peru closed the borders within 24 hours and there was no way to get out of the country. The Ambassador to Peru left the country and the State Department went silent. My girlfriend, Lara Allen, and I contacted Lizzie to help us out. She had Shirley M. get in touch with us and she was excellent in keeping us informed and eventually helped us get on a repatriation flight back to the US. Thanks guys.” 

Will Henderson

“I contacted Representative Fletcher’s office because I had a trip coming up and had not yet received my passport back from the renewal office. I was unable to get much information from the Passport Agency. From the moment I contacted Representative Fletcher’s office they were so helpful. I was put in touch with Claudia M. who got my information and began working on my case right away. She provided me with multiple updates which was really nice because I was very concerned. Less than 24 hours after I contacted Lizzie Fletcher’s office, the Passport Agency had processed and mailed out my passport. I am so thankful to Lizzie Fletcher and her staff, especially Claudia M. Thank you!” 

Mansi Dewan

“I originally contacted Rep. Fletcher’s office after a virtual town hall meeting. The office was very quick to respond to my request for assistance and was able to facilitate a speedy response from a TWC agent. The TWC agent assisted me in completing and funding my TWC application. The Representative’s office also connected me with a company that assisted me with my PPP loan. This office has been very speedy and extremely helpful throughout this entire process.”

Lori Herzog

“I honestly do not even know how to start this letter, and it is rare that I am speechless. Thank you! Sincerely, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Never in my life did I think that a Congresswoman or her office would be so responsive and care so much for a stranger. You made me feel like part of your family. You have my complete trust, respect, and admiration. Please know that I am here for you like you were there for me. 

In March 2020, the US Passport offices closed due to COVID. In April 2020, my passport expired. Two weeks before an important international flight, I began to really worry about my renewal and making my flight. I contacted Congresswoman Fletcher’s office by email and left a voice mail. Within 15 minutes I received a call back from Shirley M.. To say Shirley is an angel, would not do her justice. Shirley gave me her cell phone and worked day and night to help me. Shirley treated me like family. She told me that she would not rest until she got my passport for me. Only six days after first being contacted by your office, I got news that my passport renewal was expedited and being delivered to me just one day before my international flight.” 

Mark Thiessen

See these and more stories from constituents helped here.  Those seeking assistance with federal agencies can begin the process here.