What Florida’s broken unemployment system means for its workers

More people are unemployed than at any time in the state’s history. And they are struggling to receive help. Florida has drawn national attention for having one of the least supportive unemployment systems in the country. It has been one of the slowest states to pay claims, with some waiting since March, before the official safer-at-home order went into effect April 3. The maximum benefit amount is $275 per week – the same as it’s been for 22 years. The duration of the benefits is half the national average. Applicants also have encountered an unstable state website, been wrongly deemed ineligible and, in some cases, had their claims disappear from the system. ------------------ For More News and Videos SUBSCRIBE and Turn Notifications On https://bit.ly/2r0BEND Get a Digital Subscription to the Tampa Bay Times https://bit.ly/2Xinunj Follow us: Facebook ►   / tampabaycom   Twitter ►   / tb_times   Instagram ►   / tampabaytimes