Florida Has 4th Worst Unemployment Recovery In Country

Without an extension, unemployment benefits are set to expire on July 31.

Over the past weeks, more than 47.1 million Americans have filed unemployment claims across the country due to layoffs and hours cut because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Currently, nearly 14 percent of the U.S. population have formally applied for benefits.

The petition asks that the coronavirus emergency $600 per week federal unemployment assistance be extended to at least Dec. 31.

As of June 28, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has paid 1,584,572 claimants a total of $8.19 billion in state and federal unemployment assistance. In all, 1.9 million people have applied for unemployment assistance through the state.

Jobless residents report they are still having trouble qualifying for help through the state's online unemployment assistance program. Others say they have only received part of the benefits owed them, saying they've either been turned down for the $275-a-week state reimbursements or the $600-per-week federal emergency coronavirus payments with no explanation given.

To date, Florida has deemed more than 400,000 people ineligible for benefits.