Jimmy Gibbs will get a long-overdue check tomorrow thanks to help from S.C. Rep. Don Bowen.

In October, Gibbs ended a 37-year career at WestPoint Home when he was one of the last employees laid off from the Calhoun Falls plant.

The textile manufacturer closed as a result of overseas competition, so Gibbs was eligible for Workforce Investment Act funds in addition to unemployment. Fay Gibbs, Jimmy’s wife, said he went to the South Carolina Employment Security Commission’s Anderson One-Stop, where he was told the trade act money would kick in automatically. But that never happened.

Jimmy Gibbs knew something was wrong when his former co-workers who had gone to the Oconee County One-Stop had case workers helping them apply for jobs and enroll in classes at Tri-County Technical College. Fay Gibbs said when her husband went back to the One-Stop his trade act benefits had expired, and he was told there would be a 16-week delay.

The couple then contacted Rep. Bowen, R-Anderson, who worked with Employment Security Commission Chairwoman Becky Richardson to obtain the $3,000 in benefits Jimmy Gibbs was eligible to receive. Richardson is scheduled to present Gibbs with a check Tuesday.

“It kind of renews your faith in government that there are people that want to help you,” Fay Gibbs said.

Teri Gilstrap, director of the Anderson One-Stop, said those eligible for trade act benefits must meet deadlines based on federal regulations. One-Stop employees relay the information, but it’s ultimately the resident’s responsibility to meet guidelines.

“I do appreciate Mr. Gibbs bringing to our attention that he may have missed out on some things and thank him for working with us to come to a solution,” Gilstrap said. “Our goal is to make sure all citizens of Anderson County get what they’re entitled to.”