Jacob Ogles
Gov. Ron DeSantis has extended a waiver on work search requirements for unemployment claims until August.
The Governor directed the Department of Economic Opportunity to continue to disregard both work search and registration requirements as jobless Floridians continue to wade through economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawmakers were notified of the extension Wednesday evening,
As the state deals with a flood of applications for unemployment benefits, DeSantis first waived the requirement in April. He extended suspension of the requirement in May.
In addition to easing the demands on unemployed individuals themselves, DeSantis suggested at the time it will lighten the load for a beleaguered state agency that needs to coral resources to process applications.
In press conferences, DeSantis said he’s fine extending the requirement if needed. Florida’s unemployment rate in June leapt up to 14.5% even as businesses began to reopen amid the pandemic. The DEO estimates 1.412 million Floridians remain out of work from a labor force of nearly 9.71 million. Economists expect a surge in employment reported for June, but one that could be short-lived as more businesses close down amid a surge in positive tests for COVID-19.
That certainly includes the Sunshine State, which saw more than 6,500 new cases added on Wednesday. That was despite a notable drop in the number of tests reported each day after record high positive test reports the week before.
The Governor has extended a number of breaks for Floridians in attempts to keep the foundation of Florida’s economy intact, but he’s often waited to the last moment to do so. He issued this extension with the start of the new month, shortly after extending a moratorium on business foreclosures hours before it was set to expire.
Some lawmakers suggested further steps needed to be taken. Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat, on Twitter said she’s pressing the Department of Children and Families on extending welfare and food stamps for able-bodied adults.
10 comments
Susan
July 2, 2020 at 9:57 am
The problem with going back to work IS the sub minimum wage they pay tipped employees is so low and the businesses are NOT busy. Employment rate will drop as we go back to work but we are in worse shape because tipped employees aren’t making enough money to survive.
Formica Davis
July 2, 2020 at 11:53 am
For months they have said the work search requirement is waived but it isn’t. You still have to enter all work searches for your weeks in order to get unemployment via Connect site. I don’t know what they’re talking about.
Kim Peters
July 2, 2020 at 3:23 pm
I was able to put covid19 in most spaces, and used my own eail and/or phone number where numbers were asked for. They paid it just the same.
VsZuCru
July 2, 2020 at 10:54 pm
You can answer no to work search and career source contact and then add a
“Requirement waived by governor of Florida” as the explanation for why you didn’t do either. This will move the claim through to payment.
Ben
July 3, 2020 at 7:37 am
The website is unfortunately very unclear on this issue. You do NOT have to submit work search info, you just say you didn’t look for work and they put the claim through anyway.
The administration’s communication on this issue is terrible, and it doesn’t help that they always wait until the last minute to extend the waiver.
Julie cortez
July 3, 2020 at 10:41 am
It would be great if we could even get a check everything is eligible for the Pua active play my week and everything’s on hold!! Called the lady said she would send the form over to take the hold off but it’s already been done before she doesn’t know why it’s still on everyday I check it’s still on hold email after email nobody can help ridiculous!! The governor said get your name to him and he’d make sure sent him emails!!! It’s just sad!!!
Deanne Onesti
July 3, 2020 at 11:32 am
The web sight is terrible…its been kicking me off for 3 days straight…today I had to sign in 18 times to get the whole thing complete…what a mess.
Another thing…. How do I go about getting food stamps, I have bot heard how that’s working..I have to pay my Bill’s with my unemployment..and can’t get food 😥
Tania
July 12, 2020 at 3:56 am
Go to dept of children and families florida, fill put the form correctly. If they ask for paperwork, fax asap.
You will have an account with your username and password so you can check on updates or necessary paperwork needed.
It’s better to check online than to wait in the mail.
Good luck
Deanne Onesti
July 3, 2020 at 11:34 am
I called the Governor’s office yesterday and today…Funny how they have the day off today…bc they are closed…instead of helping us..Yes I called again today…and the office is closed for the Holiday… How nice…
George Haritos
July 4, 2020 at 8:32 am
How about extending the 12 week period to be more in line with other states? I get a kick out of the recent “trend” of unemployment claims dropping. The claims are sinking becasue everyones unemployment benefits are EXPIRING!!! So you cant make a claim for benefits. And another thing, some say $ the $600 federal payment along with the ususal FL unemployment benefit pays most folks more than they would make working. Maybe, maybe not. I do know the stimulous check and a lot of the “extra” benefits my wife and I have received have all gone to medical bills since we both lost our health ins when we lost our jobs. No ones mentioning that!!!! What a mess.
Comments are closed.