Over two years ago, ABC Action News I-Team discovered some lottery winners in Florida were told they were overpaid on unemployment claims. Hundreds of people have since voiced that they were never notified about an overpayment, they hadn’t taken unemployment benefits in years, or they struggled to get in touch with the Florida Department of Commerce for clarity.

Despite repeatedly pressing the Department of Commerce for answers, the I-Team has received no explanations regarding discrepancies in overpayments or how many people are affected. They directed individuals to check their account after they were reportedly overpaid, even though many no longer have access to their unemployment account.

The I-Team investigated further and found from Florida Lottery records that 1,675,579 debts are owed to the Department of Commerce as of July 2024. This chronic issue was first brought to light in by a lottery winner, Sara Magnetta, who won $1,000 only to be told she had been overpaid in unemployment years before.

When Magnetta tried to call the Department of Commerce again, she was met with a recording stating they were experiencing high call volumes. Again, her call was disconnected after the recording. Despite multiple attempts to contact the department, the I-Team has received no response.

Magnetta called for lawmakers to intervene and overhaul the system, citing difficulties making phone calls, receiving notices, and using the website. She empathized with individuals navigating the complicated system during difficult times, such as unemployment.

For those needing to resolve similar issues in Florida, knowing how to speak to a person at Florida unemployment is crucial. The repeated failure to get through calls for effective solutions in contacting customer service representatives, getting questions answered, and addressing concerns regarding unemployment benefits. One way to facilitate this is through www.eddcaller.com, which offers a convenient and effective method for individuals to reach out, gain clarity, and resolve their issues.