Unemployment system sparks anger

Ten years ago I struggled mightily trying to get my WWII veteran father-in-law the Aid and Attendance benefits he earned. I thought my head was going to explode, but finally he received what he was due. It was a proud moment. I thought that experience prepared me for anything. I was wrong!! The Ohio unemployment system is worse.

We are on the one-year anniversary of Ohio’s “flatten the curve campaign.” I began working remotely. My husband’s firm laid everyone off for nearly six weeks.

He and his coworkers all applied for unemployment. The coworkers got paid. My husband got paid for one week. (Eventually, he was paid for a second week, but it was not a week he was off. We returned the money to the state. I have the cancelled checks). Then he got an incorrect 1099.

Almost a year later, he is still owed for all but one week of his layoff!! He spent hours on the phone. He tried to call at different times of the day. He got conflicting info.

Finally, in December, we contacted the office of Gov. DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted (who said in nearly every press conference that their office was going to ensure folks got the benefits they needed).

That was an exercise in futility. Our assigned intern, Joe, did not get the job done. We reached out to our local legislators who told us to “be patient.”

I am done being patient. I am no longer flying my Ohio flag.

I am no longer feeling warm and fuzzy about being an Ohioan. I am angry.

Sandra Jensen

Sheffield Lake