Newsletter: New Agency Connection Center and More
We’re back! It’s been a little quiet around here since the launch of our report on casework in the Afghanistan withdrawal, and the announcement of the American Ingenuity recognition for all caseworkers, agency staff, and volunteers who participated. If you handled Afghanistan casework, or someone in your office did, we hope you’ll consider nominating them to be recognized for their contributions to this whole-of-society effort.
But in the meantime, the agency updates just keep on coming, and we have your usual roundup of updates on some big tech changes to common casework programs.
I am always here for questions, comments, suggestions, or just to chat about casework. Please feel free to reach out by replying to this email, or shoot me a note at anne@popvox.org.
Anne Meeker
Deputy Director
POPVOX Foundation
News You Can Use
Casework-related hearings
Tues March 12, 10 AM ET, House Committee on Homeland Security: Organizational Oversight: Examining TSA's Post-Modernization Efforts
Tues March 12, 10am ET, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Disaster Readiness: Examining the Propriety of the Expanded Use of FEMA Resources
Weds March 13, 10am ET, Joint House and Senate VSO Hearing: Legislative Presentation of The American Legion & Multi VSOs: JWV, TAPS, NCHV, MOAA, NACVSO, NCAI, VVA, NGAUS, FRA
Why these stories? Staying on top of hearings can help identify ways to plug casework insight into the policy/oversight process, and keep an eye on big agency changes that may impact constituents.
New Agency Connection Center in Longworth HOB
Next time you’re in DC, stop by the new agency connection center in Longworth, staffed with reps from the Department of State, Government Accountability Office, Office of Personnel Management, Social Security Administration, United States Postal Service, and Congressional Research Service. We’re excited to see how CHA, CAO, and these agencies work to offer virtual office hours for caseworkers who can’t reach the in-person offices :)
Why this story? Our top priority is helping get the word out when new resources are available to caseworkers from internal champions. If we’ve missed something, please let us know!
Direct File open to eligible taxpayers
This week, the IRS’ new free tax filing system opened to taxpayers in 12 pilot states. It does have a per-day cap on users, so may close briefly when it hits that cap.
Why these stories? Staying on top of big agency updates like these will help make sure you’re ready to answer constituent questions, or accurately frame a constituent’s problem with a new program to agency staff.
SSA issues proposed rule to use payroll data to reduce improper payments
SSA plans to use data from common payroll providers to streamline wage reporting and reduce overpayments for people on SSI and SSDI.
VA Electronic Health Record rollout continues with challenges
After threatening to pull funding for the VA’s contract with Oracle-Cerner to develop and deploy a new Electronic Health Record system after several high-profile challenges, the FY24 funding package does include funding but makes it contingent on SecVA’s commitment to providing additional information on the rollout to the House and Senate VA committees. In the meantime, the VA announced another launch of the new system at a joint VA-DOD site in Chicago.
Veterans exposed to toxic chemicals now eligible for healthcare without applying for benefits
VA accelerated the timeline to expand PACT Act health care eligibility to all veterans exposed to toxic chemicals, whether or not they apply for other benefits through the VA. One of out every five new VA enrollees since August 2022 are eligible under the PACT Act.
HHS OIG flags gaps in sponsor screening for unaccompanied minors
HHS OIG issued a report with concerns about sponsor vetting, ID checks, timely updating case files, safety and wellbeing calls, and more.
Immigration judges union
In November 2020, the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) lost its status as a public union with the Federal Labor Relations Authority, based on the FLRA’s argument that immigration judges are management employees. NAIJ is seeking recertification, but in the meantime, the DOJ issued an order stating that the NAIJ cannot speak publicly on agency positions or operations without prior approval.
New FAFSA rollout problems
Technical issues with the new FAFSA rollout are raising concerns that colleges will not be able to process students’ income information before the widespread May 1 deadline for students to commit to schools.
Food stamp backlog grows in some states
USDA wrote a warning letter to 32 states over growing food stamp application backlogs, as well as problems with case determination accuracy and errors. Some states are exploring ways to use more automation technologies (including AI) to help reduce backlogs.
Resources for Casework
Great tips from TAS
The Taxpayer Advocate Service released a blog post with tips for constituents on how to find and vet a tax preparer, a blog post explaining the new form 1099-K — also known as the form you’ll start to get in the mail for Venmo transactions over $600 starting in 2024 — and a blog post about how and when you should set up an IRS online account.
Why these stories? TAS is a great resource to include in PSAs for constituents around tax filing season!
Taxpayer Advocacy Panel seeking participants by March 15
TAP is an advisory panel staffed by taxpayer volunteers who make recommendations to the IRS on areas of potential customer service improvement. Taxpayers interested in serving on the panel should apply by March 15. Constituents can also submit suggestions any time.
Why this story? This is another way to engage with constituents you’ve worked with on IRS issues to help make their voices and insights heard beyond your office.
Issue brief on challenges seniors face with digital benefits applications
AARP issued a brief on challenges seniors face when agency programs go online-only, including flagging that seniors as a whole have statistically less access to broadband and may have more hesitation about identity theft.
Why this story? This brief is not only helpful for thinking about community needs, but also for Congressional offices to think through accessibility for casework services they provide.
And a little lightness at the end of the email…
We all know that handling local post office issues can be frustrating, but also incredibly rewarding. Check out this short video by advocates for Vermont’s country stores on their experience working with former Senator Leahy and the USPS to save a local tradition.
