What Florida’s broken unemployment system means for its workers

The official number stands at over 1.2 million unemployed Floridians, but it’s likely much higher.

Florida has drawn national attention for having one of the worst unemployment systems in the country. It has been one of the slowest states to pay claims, with some waiting since March, before the official safer-at-home order went into effect April 3.

The maximum benefit amount is $275 per week – the same as it’s been for decades. The duration of the benefits is half the national average.

Applicants also have encountered an unstable state website, been wrongly deemed ineligible and, in some cases, had their claims disappear from the system.

Have questions? We answer them: Florida’s unemployment benefits Q&A