A.G. Gancarski
Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Monday that unemployment claims are starting to be paid out.
However, the Governor was less able to provide specifics about how many claims have been paid thus far.
“There have been some that have gone out,” DeSantis said.
“I don’t want to give you a number. I reviewed them this morning,” DeSantis said. “There have been some claims paid and they are escalating in terms of the claims.”
DeSantis added that some were “in the hopper right now” and “people are working hard … a lot of hands on deck at this point and that will really help us a lot.”
The positive messaging may or may not reassure Floridians, some of whom have been waiting weeks for payouts as claims remain unprocessed.
Speaking Friday in Jacksonville, DeSantis. likewise described his administration’s “all hands on deck” approach, including describing website improvements and paper applications as he did in Tallahassee the day before to the state press corps.
Two-thousand state workers who had previously specialized in areas of government far removed from the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity will be tasked with data entry for applications coming in from across the state.
The Governor has yet to answer questions about extending the term of unemployment past 13 weeks, nor has he discussed increasing the payout, capped at $275 a week, despite calls from Democrats to do so.
And indications are that he won’t move in that direction.
Last week, the Governor would not address expanding the term to 26 weeks or beyond. And he seemed to believe that the federal $600 supplement was enough to augment Florida’s payment.
“$900 a week,” DeSantis said, “can make a big difference.”
That federal money, via the $2.2 trillion stimulus CARES Act, is in the early stages of being released to unemployed Floridians.
18 comments
Chris Barr
April 13, 2020 at 9:09 pm
So where does this come into play, Mr. Gancarski?: When the state unemployment rate increases above 5 percent, Florida extends the duration of benefits beyond the standard 12 weeks.
An additional week is added for every 0.5 percent increase to the unemployment rate above 5 percent. The maximum possible extension is 23 weeks.
https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment-covid-19/
lori
April 14, 2020 at 5:03 pm
Great post! I was wondering the same thing.
Drock
April 14, 2020 at 7:26 am
“I don’t want to give you a number. I reviewed them this morning,”
Its not a kingdom its and elected office give out the info.
Mike Sheridan
April 14, 2020 at 8:37 am
Ron DeSantis couldn’t care less about Floridians. He wants this whole thing to go away so he can get back to shady political deals and further undermining the people who elected him. This is disgusting, shameful and a betrayal of the state of Florida and it’s population. Absolutely disgraceful. This kind of professional negligence and total disregard of the needs of the people MUST be a disqualification for public office. What are we doing electing this man to serve in a crisis? Unfit.
Susanne Hirko
April 14, 2020 at 3:39 pm
I could not agree more with you, Mike! DeSantis and Ken Lawson need to be thrown out of their offices and have more competent and caring individuals take over.Ken Lawson the head of the DEO knew the website had issues since 2016! If people can’t apply for unemployment then, the government won’t have to pay them since, the people are not “on record.” It’s corruption at its finest! DeSantis obviously doesn’t care whether people live or die since, he is not pushing Ken Lawson to get the issue resolved.
In addition, DeSantis has yet to activate the Cares Act in Florida so, forget about the $600 per week to bridge one over this crisis. One will be lucky to see a dime. Some people received a message reading “NOT ELIGIBLE” after spending days on the internet trying to get their unemployment application submitted.
It’s unethical! It’s a total disgrace!
We the people should have the power to stop the paychecks for Ken & Ron.
If the people aren’t eating, neither should they!
Kristy L Davis
April 14, 2020 at 5:05 pm
I’m better off committing a felony and being locked up to receive food and health care and working in prison for 1.50 per day.
I have been non stop trying to file for unemployment online for DAYS!!!!!HOURS!!!!!
THIS HAS BECOME MY FULL TIME JOB JUST TRYING TO CLAIM UNEMPLOYMENT!
I urge you to fix the issues immediately.
MANY FLORIDIANS ARE NOT HAPPY!
This issue is affecting families, children and the poor. My god. HELP US!
Joe Smith
April 14, 2020 at 8:47 am
Actually I don’t believe the $600 federal funds have been added yet to the $275 max state funds in Florida. Has anyone asked the governor if the $600 will be paid retroactive if someone starts just receiving the state portion of the funds for several weeks without including the $600 from the federal government?
Pedro
April 14, 2020 at 9:30 am
It is still nearly impossible to get connected. It is shut down in the evening and when you do get in it kicks you out after a few minutes.
I am an existing claimant and although the notes say the work search portion of the claim process has been suspended its as if that notice is the only thing that has changed. I still must provide a work search and while I am doing that I get thrown off the system. The process to add better instructions to the connect site is a simple matter of typing in the text and saving, very simple yet that is not being done. It seems money is being wasted or diverted somewhere else.
I strongly support a state and federal audit of the Florida UI benefit system to make sure the money is going where it is supposed to be going. We pay taxes to make these benefits available to us in time of need and they should be returned to us in a timely manner. I have children and a family to support. Florida DEO needs to stop dragging their feet on this. Get the system running, get these benefits out to us and at least give a full explanation of what all of us need to do to get access to our benefits and whether or not current recipients will get the federal assistance.
Bella
April 14, 2020 at 6:42 pm
What about the independent contractors with 1099?
After 2 weeks of constant calls to reset PIN and almost 4 days to file the claim on Connect, most Independent contractors have been ineligible after they applied, but the Care Act include independent contractors and self employed. Where do we have to file the unemployment claim. We also need to eat.
Thanks
JANETTE
April 14, 2020 at 10:38 am
It is Easter Sunday April 12, 2020 I have been furloughed now since March 20th 2020, my last day to work was on March 17th 2020. It has been 23 days since I applied for my unemployment benefits in my state of Florida which I was instructed to do so by my hotel employer. With great frustration being constantly kicked off the states website receiving error messages after error message 8 hours later it seemed like I got the application done.
Well not exactly, see I have been checking daily, I have had the website ask for proof of identity, listed is a previous employer from 13 years ago which now is being questioned by the unemployment dept. about my employment status, meanwhile I input all my current employers information from my W-2 which was in fact the employer who furloughed me on March 20, 2020. This website also has my monetary status as pending for over 3 weeks. It also has my claim status as active.
The big question here is why haven’t I received my benefits, why have New Yorkers already received their third check and here in Florida our workers have not even received our first check. Looking further into this dysfunctional, fiasco called the DEO I find this problem has been going on for YEARS.
State auditors warned Gov. Ron DeSantis last year that Florida’s unemployment website was still suffering major problems, including glitches, error messages and other problems that thousands of Floridians are now experiencing.
In a damning 2019 report, auditors found that they had flagged all of the problems with the website in previous audits going back to 2015 — yet state officials had not made a serious attempt to fix them.
THIS REVEALS TO THE VOTERS IN FLORIDA THAT WE MUST DEEPLY CONSIDER WHO WE PLACE IN OFFICE, BECAUSE IT DOES MATTER GREATLY TO OUR FUTURE AS WELL AS OUR DAY TO DAY. IT IS APPARENT THAT THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS DO NOT CARE ABOUT US THE WORKERS, WORKERS HAVE NOT BEEN ON THEIR MINDS, WORKERS HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND IN THIS PANDEMIC. WORKERS ARE HUNGRY, WORKERS NEED TO PAY OUR BILLS. THIS IS UNAMERICAN AND INEXCUSABLE.
THIS SITUATION IN FLORIDA WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT DEPT. IS AS INSIDIOUS AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ITSELF.
THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS WORK FOR US. THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM TAKING OUR TAX MONEY, YET THEY CANNOT GET THE SIMPLE JOB DONE. THEY ARE TO BUSY WITH OTHER MATTERS, TO DEAL WITH WORKERS CONCERNS. I AM CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OF THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY KEN LAWSON FOR HIS INCOMPETENCE, LEADING TO THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF OUR FELLOW FLORIDIANS THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.
FLORIDA VOTERS DO NOT PUT THESE PEOPLE IN OFFICE. REMEMBER YOUR TIME OF NEED AND REMEMBER THE LAGGING, SHAMELESS, LAME EXCUSES, FOR THIS STATE CABINET TO FINALLY COME TO ACTION AND PAY OUR WORKERS BENEFITS IN AN ALREADY UNACCEPTABLE UNTIMELY FASHION.
GOD BLESS AND HELP US ALL ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HAVE LOST LOVED ONES DURING THIS HORRIFIC MOMENT IN OUR NATION’S HISTORY.
PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND EACH OTHER.
Please click link and support Floridians making those responsible for their lack of performing the jobs that they are being well paid for.
FLORIDIANS ARE SUFFERING PLEASE HELP US
JANETTE
April 14, 2020 at 10:49 am
FLORIDIANS ARE HURTING THEY ARE HUNGRY AND NEED TO PAY THEIR BILLS. DESANTIS IS NOT DOING ENOUGH, GIVE US THE NUMBERS TELL US WHEN WE WILL RECEIVE OUR BENEFITS SO WE CAN TELL OUR CREDITORS WHO WANT TO KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE PAID. FAMILIES ARE HUNGRY, LOSING THEIR INTERNET AND CABLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
http://chng.it/6c6hqQRNbt
Orestes Delgado
April 14, 2020 at 6:02 pm
I thought I was ALONE!! yes i am also going through the SAME,..
Lost my JOB because of Covid19 and filled same day i still have not heard or seen anything,.. some one HELP US!
JANETTE
April 14, 2020 at 10:42 am
It is Tuesday April 14th 2020 I have been furloughed now since March 20th 2020, my last day to work was on March 17th 2020. It has been 28 days since I applied for my unemployment benefits in my state of Florida which I was instructed to do so by my hotel employer. With great frustration being constantly kicked off the states website receiving error messages after error message 8 hours later it seemed like I got the application done.
Well not exactly, see I have been checking daily, I have had the website ask for proof of identity, listed is a previous employer from 13 years ago which now is being questioned by the unemployment dept. about my employment status, meanwhile I input all my current employers information from my W-2 which was in fact the employer who furloughed me on March 20, 2020. This website also has my monetary status as pending for over 3 weeks. It also has my claim status as active.
The big question here is why haven’t I received my benefits, why have Georgians received their third check and here in Florida our workers have not even received our first check. Looking further into this dysfunctional, fiasco called the DEO I find this problem has been going on for YEARS.
State auditors warned Gov. Ron DeSantis last year that Florida’s unemployment website was still suffering major problems, including glitches, error messages and other problems that thousands of Floridians are now experiencing.
In a damning 2019 report, auditors found that they had flagged all of the problems with the website in previous audits going back to 2015 — yet state officials had not made a serious attempt to fix them.
THIS REVEALS TO THE VOTERS IN FLORIDA THAT WE MUST DEEPLY CONSIDER WHO WE PLACE IN OFFICE, BECAUSE IT DOES MATTER GREATLY TO OUR FUTURE AS WELL AS OUR DAY TO DAY. IT IS APPARENT THAT THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS DO NOT CARE ABOUT US THE WORKERS, WORKERS HAVE NOT BEEN ON THEIR MINDS, WORKERS HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND IN THIS PANDEMIC. WORKERS ARE HUNGRY, WORKERS NEED TO PAY OUR BILLS. THIS IS UNAMERICAN AND INEXCUSABLE.
THIS SITUATION IN FLORIDA WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT DEPT. IS AS INSIDIOUS AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ITSELF.
THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS WORK FOR US. THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM TAKING OUR TAX MONEY, YET THEY CANNOT GET THE SIMPLE JOB DONE. THEY ARE TO BUSY WITH OTHER MATTERS, TO DEAL WITH WORKERS CONCERNS. I AM CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION OF THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY KEN LAWSON FOR HIS INCOMPETENCE, LEADING TO THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF OUR FELLOW FLORIDIANS THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.
FLORIDA VOTERS DO NOT PUT THESE PEOPLE IN OFFICE. REMEMBER YOUR TIME OF NEED AND REMEMBER THE LAGGING, SHAMELESS, LAME EXCUSES, FOR THIS STATE CABINET TO FINALLY COME TO ACTION AND PAY OUR WORKERS BENEFITS IN AN ALREADY UNACCEPTABLE UNTIMELY FASHION.
GOD BLESS AND HELP US ALL ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HAVE LOST LOVED ONES DURING THIS HORRIFIC MOMENT IN OUR NATION’S HISTORY.
PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND EACH OTHER.
Please click link and support Floridians making those responsible for their lack of performing the jobs that they are being well paid for.
FLORIDIANS ARE SUFFERING PLEASE HELP US
Mendoza Sams
April 14, 2020 at 11:28 am
Thats what you Floridans get voting for rick Scott twice and then sending him to the senate for 6 yrs.. voting for all these republicans through out the state year after year.. now electing another republican governor who could care less.. lol hope y’all remember this in November.. lol
Jennifer
April 14, 2020 at 11:53 am
They won’t.
John F
April 14, 2020 at 12:29 pm
You are absolutely right. Unfortunately.
Doris Hutvhins
April 14, 2020 at 1:34 pm
I filed for unemployment in Feb. I received my first check Mar. 25, I’m suppose to get another check Apr. 9th but have not receive in. I filed before this virus started. So where is my check I should have received it on Apr. Please help I can’t get in on the web site it kick me off every time. So I’m suppose to wait in order to eat.
Robin D
April 14, 2020 at 7:17 pm
This system was designed by former Gov Rick Scott to fail in order to reduce taxes for employers. Now that we are in crisis, I hope he is happy with himself.
I was finally approved nine days after applying and now it is time to “claim” my weeks and I can’t get past the verify your address page. It keeps reverting to the Warning page at the beginning.
This state has no intention of paying anyone, they’ll just keep blaming the system.
We are given 10 days to claim our weeks before they become unavailable to claim, meaning you get nothing. I have been trying for 2 days now and keep getting kicked out or told there is an error to reboot the server. Also, the system now goes down from 8pm to 7am nightly for supposed maintenance. I’ve tried 3 different servers and get the same thing.
Shame in Florida, former Gov Rick Scott and now Ron Desantis for allowing this to happen and continue. People are hurting out there in our state and need relief.
Comments are closed.