Newsletter: Preparing for Agency-specific Casework in 2025
Today, we’re going to cut through some of the noise around the incoming Administration to talk through what some of President-Elect Trump’s priorities will likely mean for casework. But before we do, we have a question to ask:
To be able to track how sweeping changes to federal agencies will impact casework, we need a baseline understanding of how many cases is “normal” for offices today. If you have a second, please fill out our short survey on your team’s overall caseload and agency distribution.
Next week, we’ll focus on you, as caseworkers, and think through some opportunities for professional development, skill-building, and self-care in the new year as the pace of casework likely ramps up.
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
Case Note: Agency Changes Impacting Casework in 2025
With the incoming Administration and leadership in both chambers signaling a willingness to undertake sweeping changes to federal agencies, casework teams should prepare for significant increases in casework.
This can be stressful, especially for teams already hearing from constituents worried about open cases in areas like immigration or student loan forgiveness.
Agency Changes Impacting Casework in 2025-2026
Although policy changes are out of your hands as caseworkers, what your team can control is how you respond to constituents. Preparing in advance can help you be ready to respond to spikes in demand.
Resource: Canaries in the Coal Mine
Last year, former POPVOX Foundation Senior Casework Fellow Katherine Long reflected on the long-term casework impact of the 2008-2009 financial crisis. As teams plan for casework in the next year, this is a helpful big-picture look at how casework is a barometer for broader economic conditions and policy implementation.
Canaries in the Coal Mine: Casework Lessons from the 2008 Crisis
New and experienced casework teams consistently bring up questions about handling the non-stop pace beginning in March of 2020 with the repatriation of American citizens at the start of the pandemic, and continuing through stimulus payments, pandemic relief, the Afghanistan withdrawal, and the passport backlog crisis (and lots in between).
CASEWORK NEWS
This is a nice PSA on how departing Members handle casework from Rep. Anna Eshoo [D, CA].
ACUS report author Sean Kealy has a great column on Congressional casework inquiries in The Regulatory Review this week.
For caseworkers in offices with Members resigning, a reminder that we have resources on planning for a smooth casework transition.
Agency News
Disaster relief oversight hearing
The Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management hosted a hearing on FEMA’s response to hurricanes Helene and Milton, with testimony from Congressman Chuck Edwards [R, NC] and Congresswoman Kathy Castor [D, FL]. Shoutout to Rep. Edwards for explicitly flagging the need for additional casework support.
Guidance from the Federal Protective Service on anti-doxing measures
DHS’s Federal Protective Service has wrapped up a resource guide to safety, including online safety, for federal employees. Much of this information is relevant to Congressional staff as well.
WEP/GPO repeal passed the House
Legislation to repeal WEP/GPO passed the House last week, and is now headed to the Senate.
Military suicides up again in 2023
The Pentagon plans to use additional funding in the FY2025 appropriations process for additional suicide prevention programs.
