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Letter to Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida - Soto Wants Answers from Gov. DeSantis on Unemployment Benefits

Letter

Date: April 20, 2020
Issues: Employment and Affirmative Action

Dear Governor Ron DeSantis,

We write to urge you to consider immediately establishing a transparent and feasible timeline
regarding the issuance of the unemployment assistance benefits to the over 500,000 Floridians
who were able to successfully access and complete their unemployment claim since the
beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Unfortunately, the precise number of
Floridians financially affected by this pandemic are unclear because of Florida's antiquated
unemployment claims system. The most recently released numbers from the United States
Department of Labor (DOL) show an increase of over 11,000 initial claims for the week ending
April 11. Because of the gravity of the issue, it is incumbent upon you to establish a clear and
transparent timeline for when Floridians can anticipate receiving the unemployment insurance
dollars they earned.

As of March 29, the State of Florida entered into an agreement with DOL to provide Pandemic
Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Currently, all states were eligible to draw down funding from
the Treasury to pay for this assistance. A clear timeline is necessary to reassure all Floridians that
help is on the way and we ask that you answer the following questions:

* Have you requested the funding from DOL to ensure Floridians will continue to receive
PUA?

* When do you anticipate completing the processing of backlogged claims?

* Do you agree to provide daily statewide updates of number of claims resolved and
payments made?

* When do you anticipate a fully integrated statewide system for individuals to claim state
and/or federal benefits, and receive these payments electronically?

We appreciate your full and fair consideration of these questions and your attention on this
important matter.

Sincerely,
Reps. Darren Soto, Alcee L. Hastings, Kathy Castor, Lois Frankel, Debbie Mucarsel Powell, Donna E. Shalala, Debbie Wasserman Schutlz and Frederica S. Wilson


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