PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is ending its contract with two companies that were supplying staff to answer phone calls from the unemployed during the coronavirus outbreak, Local 10 News has learned. According to a DEO spokeswoman, UDT had about 155 representatives working on their account and AECOM had about 800. Vause said that the DEO continues to fund more than 3,000 customer service representatives who are available to assist Floridia residents with reemployment assistance claims. The Department will continue to monitor resource demands and needs to ensure service levels for Floridians will continue to improve, DEO Press Secretary Paige Landrum said in an email. The Department remains committed to helping eligible Floridians receive their Reemployment Assistance benefits as quickly as possible.The state acknowledged shortcomings in the DEOs ability to handle unprecedented unemployment claims in the aftermath of the initial COVID-19 shutdowns.

PLANTATION, Fla. – Judi Hamelburg, of North Miami Beach, is among the many jobless Floridians who are running out of cash during the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus, has killed 987 people in Florida. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s latest data, more than 505,000 Floridians filed claims for unemployment insurance benefits last week. Florida Unemployment (Florida Unemployment)The data doesn’t reflect the reality in Miami-Dade County where many service workers are undocumented. As the delays in payments continue, the lines at free food distribution centers keep growing in South Florida.

Ron DeSantis said Monday the system to help workers who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic can now manage 120,000 simultaneous connections. While about 326,000 workers applied for unemployment benefits in Florida during 2019, more than 520,000 have applied since March 15 despite the system’s limitations. The department will also be receiving help from about 2,000 state employees from other agencies. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need work authorizationA record of your past 18 months of employment including the name of the employer, the reason for separation, earnings and dates of employment. Military employees need a DD-214 member 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 and federal government employees need a SF 8 or SF 50.

Ferrell has been trying to apply for unemployment insurance benefits, but the state doesn’t have the capability to process his application. “Due to Covid-19, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is currently experiencing higher than average wait times,” Ferrell said, adding that he hasn’t been able to talk to anyone. But The Tampa Bay Times reported state auditors had warned him last year that the website was still suffering major problems. Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, a Democrat, said every time he and others have tried to make improvements to the unemployment insurance benefits, Republicans have resisted. Florida is among the eight states in the country that offer less time in unemployment benefits.

One hotel chain supplied a lineup of their laid-off employees with food and supplies. “It’s very important to take care of our employees, no matter what," said hotel finance director Manny Delrosario. “Every little bit counts — emotionally or financially.”No business. “I was about to make a lot of money, and then everything got cut off,” said laid-off bartender Diandra Parchment. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity extended its hours and added staff, but the process is still slow and frustrating.

While there are state and federal measures coming to help those impacted financially, in the more immediate future people can file for unemployment benefits. Persons who were furloughed or laid off due to COVID-19 should file for these benefits as soon as possible. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity released information about filing for reemployment benefits amid the pandemic. Who qualifies due to coronavirus, according to Florida Department of Economic Opportunity:People who were ordered to quarantine by a medical professional or a government agency. Here are the steps to file for reemployment benefits and what you will need:Visit www.floridajobs.org to submit your application on the CONNECT platform here.