Kean Delivers $20 Million Return to NJ-07 Residents, including $900K Win for Wharton Arts
Contact: Riley Pingree
(June 6, 2025) LEBANON BOROUGH, NJ – Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced today that his office has returned more than $20 million to constituents across New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District.
Since January 2023, Congressman Kean and his dedicated casework team have closed over 3,781 constituent cases, helping residents recover $20,606,504 from federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Internal Revenue Service, the Social Security Administration, and other relevant agencies.
One recent case highlights the scope and impact of Congressman Kean’s office and its casework services. Wharton Arts, a non-profit organization in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, turned to Congressman Kean’s office earlier this year for assistance recovering over $900,000 owed through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). Wharton Arts is New Jersey’s largest independent non-profit performing arts education center. It serves more than 2,000 students across 12 counties through programs like the Performing Arts School, the New Jersey Youth Symphony, the New Jersey Youth Chorus, and the Paterson Music Project.
After reaching out to Congressman Kean’s office in January of this year regarding unresolved ERC claims filed with the IRS in October 2023, Wharton Arts received prompt and dedicated support from the casework team. Thanks to this advocacy, the organization was able to secure the owed funds and continue building on its 45-year legacy of serving New Jersey’s arts and education communities.
“My office has reached a major milestone of securing over $20 million in casework returns for residents of New Jersey’s 7th District,” said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. “To the thousands of families, seniors, veterans, and small businesses who received the benefits and support they needed and deserved: thank you for reaching out and trusting my team with these personal matters. I am thrilled to see the positive outcome for Wharton Arts, an institution that has enriched our region’s cultural and educational landscape for decades. Their story is a powerful reminder of how effective casework can make a lasting difference in people’s lives and our communities. As always, my team and I remain ready to serve you, your families, and your community in any casework matter.”
“Many thanks to Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. and his team for working with us and fulfilling the promise to help us with the ERC,” said Gina Caruso, Executive Director of Wharton Arts. “We received the money for our claims, which will now save Wharton Arts and help us to make plans for the future of this longstanding, beloved organization, which serves 2,000 students in 12 counties, and over 300 students with a free music education.”
If you or someone you know needs help navigating a federal agency, contact Congressman Kean’s district office in Lebanon Borough at (908) 547-3307 or visit kean.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency. The office also hosts Satellite Office Hours during the first week of every month across the district. For updates on Congressman Kean’s work for you in Congress, follow @CongressmanKean on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.
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