JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced Florida will be applying for funds from Lost Wages Assistance grant, which will provide unemployed Americans with an additional $300 federal check weekly.
The federal funds will be pulled from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
The grant stems from President Donald Trump’s executive memorandum issued more than two weeks ago.
After more than 30 states already applied for the grant, DeSantis announced Wednesday Florida would be applying as well.
Florida pays out some of the lowest unemployment benefits in the country at $275 per week, so many unemployed Floridians were frustrated that the governor did not jump at the opportunity when it became available.
“It’s shameful that we weren’t one of the first states to apply because we are desperate for resources,” said State Representative Anna Eskamani, who has been an advocate for unemployed Floridians.
Eskamani is worried about the timeline of receiving payments from waiting so long. We don’t know how long it will take for Floridians to get this money in their pockets.
“We have to see if the Department Of Economic Opportunity will release these dollars in a fast way,” Eskamani said.
We know DEO doesn’t have the best history with distributing money in a timely manner.
“It’s definitely discouraging,” Eskamani said.
Eskamani also worries just how much of the FEMA funds of $44 billion will be left by the time Florida’s approved.
“Other states are being approved before us and its taken states two to three weeks to be approved and be processed,” Eskamani said.
FEMA states there is a three-week obligation for funding, meaning eligible claimants will receive at least $900. Eskamani says it’s not expected to last much longer than that.
The payments are expected to be distributed in a similar way the $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments were distributed before expiring in July.
The payments are retroactive, dating back to the week of Aug. 1. We are waiting to learn if the money will be distributed in a lump sum or individually tacked onto future claimed weeks.
Eskamani says this is a band-aid and calls leaders to make a plan before Floridians go homeless and hungry.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Eskamani said. “But unfortunately we know it is not going to be enough relief for Floridians long-term.”
There’s no application process to receive these funds, you just need to be receiving at least $100 in benefits to qualify.
“I receive $93 per week,” said Tricia Atkins.
That means just because Atkins receives seven dollars less than the qualification, she will miss out on $300.
“It makes me feel like nothing, you know?” Atkins said.
She said $300 could help keep the lights on or regain the cell phone she had to disconnect.
“My rent is due in September, and I have no idea how I’m going to be paying that,” Atkins said.
Florida’s eviction moratorium expires Sept. 1, unless the governor extends it in the next four days.
“It’s really nerve-wracking to know that,” Atkins said.
Atkins says her wage determination is wrong, just like thousands of Floridians are claiming.
The problem is, it is nearly impossible to get in touch with DEO to appeal the determination.
Now that $300 payments are on the line, Atkins is frantic to get wage determination fixed now.
“I need every dollar right now,” Atkins said.
Eskamani has assisted about 18,000 people with their unemployment claims, many of whom have had incorrect wage determinations as well.
Eskamani says it is imperative that if this is an error on your claim, try to get it fixed as soon as possible. Persistence is key.
“There is a process to request a wage redetermination but we know that the form has had issues and of course Floridians are having trouble getting an answer back,” Eskamani said. “So please contact your state lawmakers and see how they can help.”