Newsletter: Agency Oversight Hearing Season
We’re back in the swing of things with the start of the fall legislative session! While it may seem like that slows things down for caseworkers, there are a ton of casework-related activities happening in the next few weeks, from a discharge petition on WEP/GPO reform to a heavy schedule of hearings on casework-related agency topics.
We’re also working on a guide to closing down a casework operation for staff in offices where Members are retiring. Are there specific questions you’d like us to cover? Let me know!
More below on an upcoming webinar, and our usual roundup of agency news you can use. I am always here for questions, comments, suggestions, or just to chat. 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
Reminder: Responsible AI Use for Casework webinar
While casework remains a cornerstone of Congressional service, it often involves time-consuming, repetitive tasks that can overwhelm both new and experienced staff. Learn how generative AI can help new staff quickly acclimate to their roles and allow seasoned caseworkers to focus their expertise where it matters most — and how to use them responsibly to keep your team and your constituents safe. We'll discuss practical applications of commercially available and Congressionally-approved AI tools, offering a balanced view of both the potential and limitations of these tools in enhancing constituent services
Webinar: Responsible AI Use for Casework
September 18 at 2 PM EDT
Recently-developed, Congress-approved generative AI tools can streamline casework processes, making them more efficient and accessible.
AI Tools for Casework
A Guide for Congressional Staffers
Recently-developed — and Congress-approved — generative AI tools aren’t a magic bullet to fix casework, but they can go a long way toward leveling the playing field, making it easier for new staff to quickly get up to speed and experienced staff to more effectively use their time where it counts the most. Includes sample prompts!
News About Casework
Nice day-in-the-life profile of Rep. Val Hoyle [D, OR], with a deep dive into casework and its root causes
PSA about casework in the Villages newsletter from Rep. Daniel Webster [R, FL]
Relevant Hearings
Back to School: Shedding Light on Risks and Harm in the Private Student Lending and Servicing Market: Sept 17, 2:30 PM ET, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Examining VA’s Challenges with Ensuring Quality Contracted Disability Compensation Examinations: Sept 18, 10:15 AM ET, House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Dial 988 +1: Examining the Operations of the Veterans Crisis Line: Sept 18, 2:30 PM ET, House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Providing for Veterans: Addressing Current and Future VA Budget Challenges: Sept 19, 3 PM ET, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
Fighting Fraud: How Scammers are Stealing from Older Adults: Sept 19, 10 AM ET, Senate Special Committee on Aging
VA’s Open Cash Register: Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Revenue Operations: Sept 19, 9 AM ET, House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Casework-Related Agency News
This newsletter is now an SSA announcement sheet
The agency continues to roll out huge changes: this week, it announced electronic signatures for 90% of its most-used forms, with 30 forms now accepting e-signatures and 13 no longer requiring a signature at all. This change is estimated to save 2 million person-hours a year spent on manual mail handling.
We might see WEP/GPO progress after all??
Reps. Spanberger [D, VA] and Graves [R, LA] filed their discharge petition Sept 12, and the bill’s Senate cosponsors, Sens. Brown [D, OH] and Collins [R, ME] sent a letter to Majority Leader McConnell [R, KY] urging it to be brought to a vote ASAP. We’ll keep an eye on this…
TAS guidance on collection notices
The IRS paused sending collection notices in January of this year to catch up on a pandemic-era backlog, but the pause is now over. TAS provides a helpful overview of what happens after a constituent receives a collection notice here.
Needed fixes for tax law
TAS also flags the need for a legislative fix related to temporary filing postponements for disaster victims — currently, an inconsistency in tax law means that some taxpayers who take advantage of disaster-related extensions may miss out on refunds. On the same note, WSJ covers how difficult it is to make technical corrections to legislation.
One more state added to IRS Direct File pilot for 2025
The IRS and the state of Maryland announced that MD will participate in the Direct File pilot for the 2025 tax filing season. It joins 12 other states involved in Direct File this year.
For-profit college students still paying forgiven loans
A class-action lawsuit against the for-profit Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) alleges that despite for-profit college students’ loans being forgiven two years ago, some borrowers who attended for-profit colleges are still receiving collection notices and credit score dings from private loan servicers.
VA OIG report shows Forever GI Bill digital platform $479 million over budget
VA’s project (contracted with Accenture in 2021) to update and modernize the process of applying for and using education benefits under the Forever GI Bill is significantly over budget and delayed.
Head of VA’s Veteran Experience Office leaving
The VA announced at the end of August that John Boerstler, head of the Veterans Experience Office (VEO), will be leaving his position. Under Boerstler’s tenure, veteran trust scores increased 25%. On that note, we can’t recommend the VA’s VetResources newsletter enough.
HHS expands 9/11 health coverage
HHS has expanded eligibility for the World Trade Center Health Program to include more 9/11 responders, specifically DOD employees and contractors who served at the Pentagon and Shanksville sites.
Crowdsourced app for DOD housing conditions
A new app born on r/Army allows military service members and families to post reviews of conditions at military housing installations to help military families make informed decisions.
TSA delays Real ID enforcement—again
The TSA is proposing to push the Real ID requirement deadline from May 2025 to May 2027, citing low adoption rates—only 56% of IDs are currently Real ID compliant. Travelers will be allowed to fly with non-compliant IDs in this next extension, but will be reminded to upgrade.
