Even with lower than average unemployment rates, Florida faces its share of challenges in distributing unemployment benefits. Systemic issues such as outdated technical infrastructure and slow responses from employers result in long delays, keeping people waiting for months. Many applicants have found it hard to get their claims processed or even find answers due to the flaws in the system.

Richard Wise, a claim applicant who had waited four months for his benefits, told FOX 35 news about the ongoing turmoil he faced after losing his job. His claim was listed as pending adjudication and it took him several months of weekly communication with Florida’s Department of Commerce to finally get his benefits. The Department claimed the hold-up was due to additional information they awaited from his former employer. He also reached out to senators, congressional representatives and anyone he could think of, to get his claim processed.

State Representatives Lavon Bracy Davis and Anna Eskamani acknowledged the system’s flaws and advised anyone applying for unemployment to do so promptly, ensure that everything on the application is accurate and if they face difficulties, to reach out to their state representative for help.

Even though a bill was passed in 2022 aiming to move the unemployment system to a cloud-based server to help with technical issues, the improvements have yet to be implemented and are expected to commence in 2025.

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