An Orlando woman, Precious Tanksley, underwent a shocking experience when her $830 Pick 5 cash prize got held up due to a Florida Lottery error over an overpayment of her state unemployment benefits amidst the pandemic. After seeing a similar situation on a News 6 report, Tanksley approached News 6 and Make Ends Meet for help. She had received a waiver of more than $11,000 in unemployment benefits, but neglected to check her account upon her employment, not realising the existence of a waiver.

On her visit to the Casselberry Lottery office, a Florida Commerce employee informed her about the overpayment and the necessity to pay back. With the confirmation of the waiver, she was told that it could take one month or more to receive the prize money. However, Tanksley’s wait was cut short when she contacted the Make Ends Meet team. Within a week, her $830 prize money was ready for her.

However, the overall experience serves as a reminder to the residents who should regularly check their state unemployment accounts, even if they are back at work. The Department of Economic Opportunity has been rebranded as Florida Commerce. More information can be found at floridajobs.org/about-us.

For consumers who encounter difficulties like Tanksley, eddcaller.com provides comprehensive information on how to contact a live person at EDD California. This platform guides users through the process, helping them understand the appropriate channels for addressing their queries. This invaluable resource significantly reduces the time and stress involved in contacting EDD, resolving issues effectively and efficiently.