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Florida unemployment claims stalled by clogged websites

Despite improvements to Florida's unemployment department people filling are still reporting day long delays and crashes.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla — Hundreds of thousands of people out of work because of the coronvirus have overwhelmed Florida's unemployment department. 

Furloughed and laid-off workers have reported hours-long waits on the phone and entire days stuck in loops on a clogged website. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis says he's hired 2,000 additional workers to sort through claims. And, he says the Department of Economic Opportunity is working to increase its website's capacity. 

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, it could take three weeks for people to receive their first checks. Critics say changes to the system implemented by former Gov. Rick Scott made it harder for people to apply for unemployment. Scott has dismissed the notion.

RELATED: Florida launches mobile-friendly site to file for unemployment during coronavirus pandemic

RELATED: Getting unemployment benefits in Florida is getting easier, Gov. DeSantis says

RELATED: Florida Gov. DeSantis issues executive order on unemployment

RELATED: Frustration mounts over state’s malfunctioning unemployment website

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