I wish to take a couple of minutes to talk about our “challenged” FSSA program. My wife and I both lost our jobs within a week or so of each other. We immediately applied for all the programs offered by FSSA.

Being that we were struggling to make ends meet when we were working, the loss of work was devastating to our family. We were able to get our application “expedited” so we were able to at least get some food stamps in about a three-week period, so we could eat. At this point we were required to submit additional documentation to determine eligibility for TANIF and Medicaid. FSSA also sent requests for earnings information to our former employer. We provided the information to FSSA that was requested of us, while our former employer chose not to provide the information requested.

At the beginning of June, we got a letter from FSSA stating that since they did not receive the earnings statement from our former employer, any and all of our benefits were terminated. The problem is that earnings information is “requested,” and business owners are not “required by law” to provide this information. This is the only reason why we lost our benefits.

I trust that most businesses would do the right thing to provide the information, as requested, by FSSA, but mine chose not to. Don’t punish the select few of us who have worked for inconsiderate few. While we have filed an appeal it does not make the daily decision of should we eat today or save the money to keep our power turned on.

Michael Weaver

Pendleton