Coronavirus in Florida: DeSantis under pressure to improve Florida's unemployment compensation system

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Ron DeSantis drew heightened pressure Monday to improve the state’s unemployment compensation system, whose already challenging online application process has been overwhelmed by thousands of suddenly jobless Floridians.

DeSantis appears to have made fixing the benefits system a low priority in the state’s fight against coronavirus. At one of his recent news conferences – which his staff has opened only to select reporters – DeSantis said he’ll “look at” making changes, but offered no specifics.

He downplayed Florida’s problems as part of a nationwide “shock to the system,” saying many states are dealing with a massive upsurge in people seeking unemployment compensation.

But Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami, called Florida’s online CONNECT system used by those seeking benefits, “is an infinitely inaccessible system.”

Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, also has been trying to help Floridians navigate CONNECT, which has seen at least a five-fold increase in people seeking benefits after the onset of the coronavirus. Many can’t successfully apply.

The problem comes into even sharper focus since Congress approved a $2 trillion relief package last week that requires those unemployed to first have applications approved by the state before receiving $600 weekly federal supplements that are soon to be issued

“If folks can’t get onto the system…they’re not going to get state benefits, nor will they get federal benefits,” Eskamani said. She also said the online system could become ever more flooded by applicants once larger federal payments are available.

Thousands of Floridians who’ve lost jobs because of coronavirus shutdowns may be confronting the state’s unemployment compensation system for the first time.

Florida benefits range to a maximum of $275-per-week, among the nation’s lowest. Weeks of payments for those eligible is capped at 12, tying with North Carolina for worst in the country.

Only 11% of unemployed Floridians currently receive benefits, also one of the lowest recipient rates, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

As part of the federal rescue plan, 13 weeks of extended benefits – fully paid by the federal government – will be added to those on state unemployment rolls. The $600 weekly supplement is available for four months under the pandemic unemployment assistance program.

So far, DeSantis has waived a state requirement that those receiving benefits prove they’ve contacted at least five potential employers for work during the week. But it remains a confusing point for many applicants accessing the CONNECT site, lawmakers said.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, which runs the CONNECT system, has added staff and recently contracted with a call center to help with the influx of people frustrated by the application process.

But DeSantis has not taken further steps.

“There is a dramatic need and an urgency for our state to expand the number of applicants,” said Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando. “Through no fault of their own, people are finding themselves without a steady income in this time of crisis.”

The lawmakers said DeSantis should raise the 12-week cap on benefits, eliminate a one-week waiting period that applicants must absorb before payments are made, and increase the $275-per-week maximum unemployment compensation.

“It is extremely frustrating that applicants just cannot get through to the system,” Smith said.