Today State Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R–Santa Clarita) announced that her office has helped constituents recover more than $860k in benefits and funds owed to them by the state since she took office in January 2025, including nearly $405k this year alone.
"Getting the benefits or money owed by the state shouldn't require endless phone calls, unanswered messages, or complicated online forms," said Senator Valladares. "But when government isn't working for you, my office is here to help."
Most of the cases have involved the Employment Development Department, though since January 2025, the office has assisted nearly a thousand constituents navigating numerous state agencies.
"These numbers represent more than dollars," Senator Valladares said. "They represent neighbors whose lives were put on hold."
Among the cases: a 98-year-old constituent came to the office for help recovering unclaimed property. Unable to navigate the online process himself, he relied on Senator Valladares' staff to handle the claim from start to finish, digitizing and submitting the required documents. The casework resulted in recovering thousands of dollars owed to him.
In another case, a disabled senior had been waiting months for her State Disability Insurance benefits, money she needed for food and rent, without answers from EDD. Within two weeks of contacting Senator Valladares' office, her claim was moving forward, and she ultimately received nearly $15k in owed benefits.
"While I can't promise a particular outcome, I can promise that my team and I will listen, respond, and work to cut through the red tape," Senator Valladares said.
Constituents dealing with EDD, the DMV, the Franchise Tax Board, the State Controller's Office, or any other state agency are encouraged to contact Senator Valladares' office at sr23.senate.ca.gov/email-senator.