JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 A local congressman is calling on Northeast Florida utility companies and financial institutions to step up and help out amid the ongoing government shutdown. <\/p>\n
Congressman Aaron Bean (R-FL, 4th District) sent a letter to three major utilities in Northeast Florida and VyStar Credit Union, urging them to do what they can to mitigate the hardships inflicted on military members, air traffic controllers, and other federal employees impacted by the government shutdown.<\/p>\n
He argued that service disruptions, late fees, and adverse credit reporting could further harm those workers.<\/p>\n
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<<\/a><\/p>\n With the shutdown already in its 24th day and no end in sight, Bean told Action News Jax the number of workers and service members feeling the pain is growing every day.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re working, not getting paid, and many live paycheck to paycheck. So, we have to be so sensitive. And I\u2019ve asked the financial institutions, our utility companies, let\u2019s be sensitive, let\u2019s be real,\u201d said Bean.<\/p>\n And the impacts aren\u2019t going unnoticed.<\/p>\n JEA told Action News Jax that call volumes have increased in recent weeks, but it does not ask customers specifically whether their requests for assistance are related to the government shutdown.<\/p>\n The utility is currently directing those in need to go through its regular payment solutions portal.<\/p>\n But JEA did suggest it\u2019s open to discussing what more could be done to help.<\/p>\n \u201cOur Government Relations team has been in touch with Congressman Bean\u2019s office about his request,\u201d said a JEA spokesperson in an emailed statement.<\/p>\n VyStar, on the other hand, said it is seeing more inquiries directly related to the shutdown.<\/p>\n