People trying to file for unemployment in Florida are getting desperate, and we're trying to get answers

People trying to file for unemployment in Florida are getting desperate, and we're trying to get answers

People trying to file for unemployment in Florida are getting desperate, and we're trying to get answers

THEY SAY VIOLATORS OF THAT ORDERCAN FACE UP TO *60 DAYS IN JAILAND 500 DOLLARS.THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THESTATE OF FLORIDA ARE JAMMINGTHEIR KEYBOARDS, TRYING TOSUBMIT A CLAIM FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.BUT IT’S NOT WORKING.THE STATE WEBSITE, FLORIDA JOBSDOT ORG, IS KICKING PEOPLE OFF,AND SO FAR, THE GOVERNOR DOESN’THAVE AN ANSWER.FOX 4 REPORTER ROB MANCH WORKEDWITH A TEAM OF REPORTERS AROUNDTHE STATE TODAY, WORKING TO SORTOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING AND WHAT’SBEING DONE TO FIX IT.:32-:371:25-1:301:41-1:46I spoke with Chris Girard today.Earlier this month, he was abartender at a nice restaurantin this shopping center inNaples.But now, you can see the lack offoot traffic behind me, becauseall these restaurants areclosed.And all those unemployed workersare now turning to the state forhelp.But they’re finding moreproblems than answers.PKG:"We apologize for theinconvenience.

Please visitFloridaJobs.org."Chris Girard is tired of hearingthat message.It’s the same recording he’slistened to every day for thelast 3 weeks.Chris Girard, Former Bartender:"I kind of knew this wascoming, so I filed on the 12thactually, and since then, I’vebeen calling pretty much everyday and trying to get onlievery day.

I mean literallyevery 20 minutes, and it’s beenjust impossible."Girard had a bartending job atSouthern Style Kitchen.A restaurant that’s had a closedsign on the door for the pasttwo weeks.Now, Girard is gettingdesperate.Chris Girard, Former Bartender:"I went to the Tree of LifeMinistry up here today.

You knowwhat I got?

Two loaves of breadand a thing of peanut butter soI can survive this week."The problems Girard isexperiencing aren’t unusual.The Florida Department ofEconomic Opportunity tweetedthat it’s site was down Tuesday.And it’s also looking for morestaff.BUT I’M NOT WORKING ON THISALONE.

MY COLLEAGUE AT OURSCRIPPS station in Tampa talkedwith an employment attorney whosays the system HAS AN INHERENTFLAW.

IT was built to put peopleback to work, not pay outunemployment.Ryan Barack, UnemploymentAttorney:"There aren’t jobs for thesepeople to get.

So the entireorientation of the systemdoesn’t work, based on wherewe’re sitting right now."OUR SCRIPPS CAPITOL REPORTER,FORREST SANDERS TOOK THE ISSUESTRAIGHT TO The Governor.

HEaddressed the problem in a pressconference Tuesday, but withoutmany answers.Gov.

Ron DeSantis,(R)Florida:"I think it’s a huge, hugeproblem.

We’re going to work asfast as we can on it, but it isnot something that’s going tohappen where we’re going to beable to field and process thesethings overnight, just simplybecause of the magnitude of it."An answer like that is littlesolace to a man like Girard, whois still trying his best to getthrough.Chris Girard, Former Bartender:"I’m a guy that works day today, makes tips day to day, andthat’s how I stay afloat andit’s just not happening rightnow.

I need help."TAG:OUR TEAM OF SCRIPPS FLORIDAREPORTERS is dedicated toSTAYING ON TOP OF this problem,and all the other economiceffects from COVID-19.We’ll continue to bring youRELIABLE answers as the