Payments have been made to roughly 4 percent of the more than 800,000 people who have filed jobless claims since the coronavirus started closing businesses across the state.
Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Thursday that checks have been sent to 33,623 people who have applied for benefits since the beginning of March through the troubled unemployment-compensation system.
With early qualifiers drawing multiple checks, about $50 million has gone out in state assistance — in checks of up to $275 a person a week.
Separately, 23,801 checks have gone out to people who have qualified for federal money under a new federal stimulus law. The federal payments go up to $600 a week.
“While we’ve made some progress in the recent days, it’s not nearly enough. We’ve had an unprecedented number of claims and we have to work through them,” DeSantis said.
On Wednesday, DeSantis removed Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson from oversight of the CONNECT unemployment system. He put the system, which cost $77 million to get online in 2013, into the hands of Department of Management Services Secretary Jonathan Satter.
Part of the reason was an inability of Lawson’s department to provide daily updates on claims and payments.
The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday reported an estimated 181,293 first-time unemployment claims were filed in Florida during the week ending April 11, though that estimate is below a number DeSantis provided last week.
Since March 8, the Department of Labor estimated 660,438 initial claims had been made in Florida.
On Thursday, DeSantis signed an executive order that eliminated a requirement for people who qualify for jobless benefits to recertify their claims every two weeks.
“Even though I had told them to waive any needless bureaucratic rules, I had to today sign an executive order to suspend the need for people to return to the CONNECT system to recertify their unemployment status,” DeSantis said. “We understand what is going on with the economy now. We hope it’s short term, but clearly this is not something that if you look hard enough you’re going to find a new job.”
DeSantis added that the change will relieve some stress but isn’t a “silver bullet” to speed the process.
To try to address issues with backlogs and problems with filing applications, hundreds of call-center operators have been rushed through training, paper applications have been made available and more than 100 computer servers have been brought in.
Satter said efforts continue to make the system more accessible to gig workers, who don’t qualify for state assistance but do qualify for the federal benefits.
“We’re building a separate portal for those gig workers, independent contractors, and we’re hoping to have that ready in about a week to 10 days,” Satter said.
DeSantis said he will have his first meeting by phone Friday with a task force designed to help devise plans to reopen services and businesses across the state.
Members of the task force haven’t been named, but DeSantis said he wants proposals on reopening quickly.
“It’s not going to be something that’s going to take four weeks,” DeSantis said. “This is something within a three-to-five-day period, I want the best ideas we can get.”
DeSantis noted that President Donald Trump, who announced a similar task force this week, was looking at a phased approach to reopening parts of the economy. DeSantis has been acting in concert with the White House in response to the virus.
–Jim Turner, News Service of Florida
You and your neighbors collectively read our articles about 25,000 times each day (that's not a typo) with up to 65,000 daily reads during emergencies like hurricanes. Flagler County residents rely on FlaglerLive for essential, bold and analytical journalism that cannot be found anywhere else. But we depend on your support. Please join our December fund drive! If you donate the cost of a scoop of ice cream, you will be helping us continue to provide comprehensive local news and honest, serious journalism for our community. If you can donate more or become a monthly donor, even better. Donations are tax deductible since FlaglerLive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit news organization. Donate by clicking anywhere in this box. Think of it as buying a scoop, in every sense of the term!
Pogo says
@crooked desantis, crooked scott, crooked rubio – you too crooked jeb
You cruds need to wake up, pay attention, get off your crooked butts – and get it done. You clowns call yourselves leaders?! FFS, LEAD!
You’ve always known how to do things for yourselves:
From Warfare to Welfare: How Lockheed Martin Is Profiting From Running Welfare to Work Programs
“…Today, with the privatization of social services by state and municipal governments, weapons manufacturers are also profiting from running these programs. Lockheed Martin, best known for building menacing weapons systems and for receiving billions of dollars in corporate welfare, has been awarded contracts to run welfare-to-work programs in Washington, DC, California and Florida…”
https://www.democracynow.org/1999/6/4/from_warfare_to_welfare_how_lockheed
palmcoaster says
I wholly agree here with Pogo. The Florida unemployment website that these GOP’s in this shamefully red state was ordered and bought wasting our 77 millions in taxes by R. Scott never worker to start with as is a sham! https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article241756371.html
This is why in the richest country in the world the food banks are being exhausted with thousands of our country men, women, children and elderly in need. Here Mayor Holland asking for donations and support : “Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland announced Friday, April 17, that the City of Palm Coast is partnering with its faith-based organizations for an unprecedented, massive campaign to provide thousands of families with food on Saturday, May 2.”
Meanwhile we endure in National Tv Il Duce inciting to public unrest against Governors and making a political rally of his daily appearance while lying about supplies.
Percy's mother says
Dear Palm Coaster
The United States is NOT the “richest country in the world”.
Perhaps the United States was the richest country in the world back in the 1950s, but has not been the richest country in the world for a good 50+ years.
Even back in the mid 1970s, the richest country in the world was The Netherlands. The United States was much lower down on the totem pole and has continued to fall further and further down the totem pole over the ensuing years.
People in this country need to stop that delusion.
The only reason things in this country have appeared to be good financially is due to the fact that the United States has been printing money nonstop for quite some time. That’s a recipe for financial disaster and extreme hyperinflation. Extreme hyperinflation means the US dollar becomes worth less and less.
You may want to read the following book:
“WHEN MONEY DESTROYS NATIONS”
Author: Philip Haslam
Fairly large print. Lots of graphs and tables. A fairly long bibliography. 228 pages. So really, not a difficult read.
It will enlighten anyone who chooses to read it.
I’m glad I was required to take macro and micro economics during my bachelor’s program.
Sherry says
Dear Pogo and Palmcoaster,
Don’t you find it typical that Republican voters lack the courage and moral fiber to speak out against such massive blunders, diabolical injustices and crimes against humanity. It is outrageous and pathetic that they prefer their cult of fear and hate to standing up for what is right. Yet, time and time again they will use FOX talking points to try and blame “anyone” else. I’m sure there is a way to blame this on, , , let’s see. . . how about Benghazi. That old herring hasn’t been used for a while. Or, how’s about President Obama. . . I’m sure they can “spin and twist” the facts to somehow blame him.
Hummmm. . . how about those who are the victims here. . . I’m sure they are to blame somehow. I know, “they” are LAZY, “all they want is a hand out”. . . How about this gem: “they weren’t raised right”. Or, the old “I worked 3 jobs and never asked for unemployment”.
While those who still support this horrific Republican state government may not be actually saying these completely despicable things, I believe that many of them may be thinking such rancid tripe.
The silence speaks volumes for how you are completely failing as human beings!
Gary R says
I find it ironic that Trump hating trolls make comments about President Trump but say nothing about Joe Biden’s gaffles. And, Nancy Pelosi showing off her expensive freezer and ice cream while there are long food lines in her district. Talk about governor Ron DeSantis but fail to comment about Virginia governor Ralph Northam admitting to KKK/blackface yearbook photo or Andrew Gillum busted in hotel room with meth and gay escort. Is it just the blind leading the blind? We all know what happen in 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVlHZh5dvbA&t=2s will happen again in November 2020. Don’t need to hear about poll numbers because we all know what happen in 2016 with poll numbers.
I’m waiting TDS people…….