As tens of thousands of people in Florida get laid off or lose their job entirely, we are going to have to examine just how bad this state is in terms of taking care of people. @CBSMiami
Looking at weekly unemployment compensation. Florida is among the worst as this chart shows
Looking at weekly unemployment compensation. Florida is among the worst as this chart shows
For comparison sake here are the weekly benefits offered by the top five states. 👇
A review of all 50 states and the District of Columbia shows the average weekly enemployment compensation is $464.
But even more troubling, Florida is the worst state in the nation when it comes to how long a person can receive unemployment compensation.
Florida only allows a person to collect it for 12 weeks.
Meanwhile, 40 other states offer at least 26 weeks. @CBSMiami
Florida only allows a person to collect it for 12 weeks.
Meanwhile, 40 other states offer at least 26 weeks. @CBSMiami
Now think about this: The state of Florida is sitting on $4 billion in the unemployment trust fund.
At what point will Legislators and @GovRonDeSantis call a special session to look at this and increase help for people?
At what point will Legislators and @GovRonDeSantis call a special session to look at this and increase help for people?
And as I’ve previously noted, the system used to process claims is viewed as deliberately cumbersome causing some critics to argue the process is designed to force people to give up.
In 2015, a study found that only 12% of unemployed Floridians actually received benefits.
In 2015, a study found that only 12% of unemployed Floridians actually received benefits.
This new system was started under @SenRickScott when he was Governor in 2011.
He instituted many changes that made it much harder to receive unemployment benefits. And now that system is about to hurt a lot of people.
@CBSMiami
He instituted many changes that made it much harder to receive unemployment benefits. And now that system is about to hurt a lot of people.
@CBSMiami
To give some perspective on the tsunami of claims that are about to be filed, an official with the state told me that last week there were 28,000 calls to the helpline to sign up for unemployment benefits.
In the first three days of this week that number jumped to 76,000.
In the first three days of this week that number jumped to 76,000.
This is going to be a whole new crisis that we are not ready for.
@JoseJavierJJR has been working on this in the Senate along with the folks from @UNITEHERE_SoFla @32BJSEIU @AFLCIO
And @CommishEileen Higgins has raised the alarm as well.
@CBSMiami will stay on this story.
@JoseJavierJJR has been working on this in the Senate along with the folks from @UNITEHERE_SoFla @32BJSEIU @AFLCIO
And @CommishEileen Higgins has raised the alarm as well.
@CBSMiami will stay on this story.
And if you are having problems with the system let me know. My email is jdefede@CBS.com
