Florida families still struggling to file for unemployment benefits

Lawmakers said Wednesday that Floridians continue to report problems with the state’s 2-year-old unemployment benefits website, which Gov. Rick Scott’s jobs chief maintains is threatened by fraud. (Screen capture of floridajobs.org)

Florida unemployment site complaints continue, lawmakers say Lawmakers said Wednesday that Floridians continue to report problems with the state’s 2-year-old unemployment benefits website, which Gov. Rick Scott’s jobs chief maintains is threatened by fraud. (Screen capture of floridajobs.org)

By Arielle Wysocki

Jacksonville, FL — More than 180,000 Florida workers filed claims with the state's overwhelmed and struggling unemployment system last week.

That brings the total number of jobless claims to over half-a-million since many parts of the state went on lockdown last month.

Governor Ron DeSantis said there are several changes being made to help make the process smoother for families across Florida.

Among the changes include updated software and equipment to process claims faster, and a new department head to oversee the unemployment claims related to COVID-19.

So far, DeSantis said checks have been sent to more than 30,000 people who applied for benefits since the beginning of March.