I am an Oregon Direct Support Professional, a husband, and a father working to support my family, Like many others, I work in roles where income is not always consistent month to month. My hours depend on client needs. When a client changes providers, services end, or circumstances shift, I can lose my placement and go weeks or even months without steady income while waiting to be reassigned.

I also run a small tech repair business where work only comes in when customers need it. Some months are steady, while others have very little activity. I understand that assistance programs like SNAP and the Oregon Health Plan use standardized rules, such as gross income, to maintain consistency and fairness. However, these systems are largely built around the assumption of stable, predictable income. That assumption does not reflect the reality of many modern jobs.

This issue affects a broader group of workers whose income is based on demand rather than fixed schedules, including: Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), On-call tech and repair workers, Mechanics and emergency services, Contractors and tradespeople,Gig and freelance workers. In these roles, income comes in waves—periods of higher earnings followed by periods with little or no income. These gaps are often unpredictable and outside of the worker’s control.

In care-based roles like DSP work, for example, changes can happen suddenly. Clients may move, services may change, or individuals may pass away unexpectedly. When that happens, income can stop immediately while waiting for reassignment.

This creates a mismatch between how income is measured and how income is actually experienced. It also contributes to what is known as a “benefit cliff,” where a temporary increase in income can lead to a sudden loss of essential support, Sometimes leaving families worse off despite working more

The issue is not the existence of standardized rules, It is how those rules apply to unstable and unpredictable income patterns. This is not about expanding benefits or creating long-term dependency. It is about ensuring that people who are actively working are not penalized during temporary gaps or transitions.

We are asking Oregon policymakers to improve how assistance programs account for unstable income by: Allowing income to be averaged over multiple months for individuals with fluctuating earnings, Taking unavoidable gaps in employment into account when determining eligibility, Reducing benefit cliffs by implementing gradual phase-outs instead of sudden cutoffs.

These changes would not replace the system, They would improve how it reflects real-world work conditions. There is also a broader impact to consider. Many of the jobs affected, Especially care-based roles like DSPs, Are essential to supporting vulnerable populations, including individuals with developmental disabilities and the elderly.

If these roles come with unstable income and no buffer during gaps, it becomes harder for people to remain in them long-term.

Improving how the system handles income instability is not just about individuals, It is about sustaining the workforce that many communities depend on. Families should not be penalized for working in jobs that society relies on. This is about making the system more accurate, more responsive, and better aligned with how people actually live and work today.