Please help displaced Floridian workers access unemployment benefits. We are unable to file for assistance. We need the following changes to occur immediately:

-Secure appropriate IT support to address website issues: ability to handle volume without crashing and losing data requiring residents to resubmit data; eliminate pin issues. For myself, I can't enter any data as it creates error that says I am in system and I must login. If I do not know password, click reset. An error states to call for help. For others, they are able to start registration then later prompted to call for a pin. With everyone being prompted to call, this greatly limits the number of successful claims being processed daily.

-Hire and Train Additional Phone Workers Immediately: We understand from media reports 250 new workers are hired and 50 more are to be hired. We can't express the urgency in getting these workers trained quickly and on the phones.

-Expand Operating Hours to Match Demand: We understand hours currently include Mon-Fri 7:30-6:30, Sat-Sun 8-2. This is not enough to handle the volume. As a tourism state dependent on travel, the number of unemployed workers is great. Longer evening hours on weekdays and full days of operation should be available on weekends until the volume of demand decreases.

-Enlist the help of Career Centers as Temporary Claims Processors: In contacting my local office, I was able to reach them same day. Unfortunately they say they can only help with employment, not filing claims. As we all know, the job market is grim right now, especially as the state is shutdown. Please cross-train these center associates and you can immediately assist a greater number of people each day. 

-Address Phone Issues: Add additional phone lines to prevent the system from crashing. People are dialing in and getting busy signals, constant ringing or are connected then disconnected, or receive a partial voice prompt. Shorten the voice message. It takes 40 seconds just to get to the point of phone trying to connect to a worker before being told all agents are busy. Figure out how to get the callback feature to work so people don't spend 8 hours a day trying to call in day after day. This just adds to the stress of being out of work and is exhausting.

Time is running out. Many of us have been trying to file unemployment for weeks. We have bills to pay and excuses won't be accepted. We are hard working Floridians who were put out of work at no fault of our own. With travel not likely to pickup immediately, many of us may not work for months. We pay our taxes and don't ask for anything most of the time. This is the one time we need the government's help. Please help us. Thank you for your time and consideration.