Florida Unemployment Compensation - Follow Up

During Mr. Sam's unemployment, I posted about how difficult it is to obtain unemployment compensation.  It took several rounds to just get through the application process and we were amazed at how it seemed like the State was making it almost impossible for the unemployed to obtain benefits.  Mr. Sam, with a MBA and a reliable internet connection almost could not obtain benefits.

Well, the unemployment system in Florida was replaced, on October 15, 2013, with a new system.  But the new system has a whole host of problems.  Well now the Department of Labor is heading back to Florida to investigate the new system.  The DOL estimates that Floridians have lost $20 million in benefits due to the faulty new system.

Unemployment Compensation - Follow Up # 2

Earlier I posted regarding Mr. Sam's Florida unemployment compensation adventures, and the fact that his application was denied because he received severance.  Well, now Florida has changed their minds and determined that he is entitled to benefits because he is not receiving ongoing severance.

As a result, yesterday he received a payment representing two weeks of benefits ($550).  Somehow I expect the State to change its mind and ask for the money back so we will be prepared to repay it.

Unemployment Compensation - Follow Up

Earlier, I posted about how difficult the State of Florida makes it to obtain unemployment compensation.  Well, after Mr. Sam worked on this task for a few weeks, jumped through all the hoops, spent hours completing forms and making his way through the mice trap the State of Florida has set up (in order to deny benefits) he learned he is not eligible since he received a severance package.

Ugh times a hundred.  Such a huge waste of time and red tape.  Assuming Mr. Sam is still unemployed when his severance package expires he can reapply and the severance doesn't reduce the number of weeks of payments.

Unemployment Compensation

Mr. Sam has been working on applying for unemployment benefits.  Sadly, Florida makes it super difficult to apply and obtain benefits.  Florida puts up so many road blocks regarding the collection of benefits that they are being investigated by the Department of Labor.  Mr. Sam's application process took about three hours, which includes a very long application and a skills test.  Luckily Mr. Sam has access to internet, the only way one can apply, he speaks English and he is educated.  Even so, he remarked at how difficult the process was, which is probably why only 17% of Floridians who are eligible actually received these benefits. 

Florida also provides a maximum weekly benefit of $275, which is the fifth-lowest amount in the country.  Mr. Sam should qualify for the maximum benefit which means $1,100 per month for three months (benefits cut off after 12 weeks).