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OAKLAND PARK, FLA. (WSVN) - Hundreds of thousands of people left unemployed due to the pandemic are eager to get back to work. They are also anxious to receive the financial relief they are due to help them until businesses reopen.
For weeks, people have been complaining about the flaws in the state’s unemployment website as they have not been able to get through to the help from the call center.
Claims, fortunately, have started to be verified and processed at a faster rate than they initially were. Many people, however, are now finding that their claims have been denied.
“Totally frustrated that I wanted to throw the computer,” said Patricia Brown. “You know what? I haven’t reached the point that I just wanted to cry, because I’m angry.”
“I have two children, and I have to be strong,” said Yolanda Lorenzo. “I can’t show them that, ‘Oh, the world is crumbling.’ I can’t show them that we might not have anywhere to live next month, or I might lose my car. Right now, all I can do is pray.”
After waiting six weeks to receive unemployment benefits, Kirk Morton, a waiter, said his application was denied.
“I kind of don’t know what to do at this point except for, all I could do is reapply for unemployment,” he said.
Lorenzo and Morton said they lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic, and both of them live paycheck to paycheck.
“Some people are being denied, when they are legally entitled to unemployment insurance,” said U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala, D-Fla.
Shalala said she’s opening up her office to try to help Floridians navigate what she described as a broken system.
“We will find out why you were denied, and we will fight for you,” she said.
According to the state, 1.9 million claims have been submitted, but because some persons submitted multiple claims, they are trying to verify which of the claims are duplicates.
A total of 824,000 have been confirmed, so far, as being unique claims, or belonging to one person. Of those, 392,000 claims have been processed and paid out.
For those persons who have been denied benefits and are trying to get help through the system, they can apply for a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Those who might not qualify for unemployment benefits under regular Florida law may be eligible for assistance through this option.
But those who are struggling to make ends meet said the only thing that will help them now is a check.
“I was hoping to get my bills paid and retire in three years and have time with my children and grand babies,” said Brown, “and right now, that looks like it just will not happen.”
For more information, and to file an unemployment claim, click here.
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