Porstmouth Family Receives Help from Congressman Cicilline

PORTSMOUTH, RI – A Portsmouth, Rhode Island family who came to U.S. Congressman David Cicilline’s office earlier this year seeking Social Security Disability and Department of Education assistance on behalf of their son, recently received positive news: With the help of Cicilline’s staff, their requests to both agencies have been approved.

In January, 2011 Robert Murgo, Sr. contacted Congressman Cicilline for help on behalf of his son Robert, Jr. His family was facing two financial obstacles due to Robert Jr.’s diagnosis of Schizophrenia and subsequent  inability to complete school at the Wentworth Institute. Mr. Murgo explained to the Congressman’s office that his family was burdened by their inability to discharge numerous student loans in Robert Jr.’s name and a slow appeal process concerning Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. 

Within four months after contacting Congressman Cicilline’s office, Mr. Murgo informed the Congressman that his family had received an Official Notice of Hearing from the Social Security Administration and that three federal student loans in Robert, Jr.’s name, totaling $14,875, were also discharged. 

Upon announcing this good news, Congressman Cicilline said: My first priority in Congress is to make sure my office is able to assist Rhode Islanders from the First Congressional District with any trouble they may be having accessing resources from the federal government. The Murgo Family was one of the first families my office was able to help and I am proud to report that my staff was able to quickly assist in lightening the financial burden they were facing. That’s what we’re here for – to make the federal government work for them – and for you.