Roughly 1 million Floridians have been unable to pay utility bills during COVID 19 and fear power disconnections this month that could shut down air-conditioning, lights and appliances, making homes unlivable. Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law organization, has petitioned Florida utility regulators to impose a 90-day moratorium on such cutoffs, saying many families will be forced from their homes.
Month: September 2020
2020 Florida voter’s guide to state unemployment: Who’s on your side?
We don't think a reasonable system of unemployment benefits should be a partisan issue, but in Florida, it clearly is. Here are our recommendations for some of the most notable 2020 races for state legislature. #FloridaUnemployment #VoteBlue
Get rent assistance in select affordable housing communities across FL
These CARES Act funds are available only to residents of specific communities that provide affordable housing and are in the Florida Housing Finance Corporation portfolio. We have the entire list of eligible properties.
Are you eligible for Florida Food Assistance (SNAP)? Find out now
Florida isn’t very transparent about how its benefits programs work, so we’re taking a deep dive into the eligibility rules and procedures for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This can help you anticipate whether you're eligible for food stamps, how much you may qualify to receive, and how the program works in general.
Our Stories: Made to Fail – Disconnected in Florida (podcast)
After a deep dive into the history of the state’s attitude towards federal unemployment as a whole, it’s clear that there’s more going on in Florida than just a faulty computer system.
Our Stories: “The Unemployed Mermaid,” a Disney/DEO parody
Unemployed Florida actress Alea Figueroa shares her personal struggles with DEO and deals with her frustration in the best way she knows: in a film parody of Disney's "The Little Mermaid," who loses her voice in pursuit of her dreams. In an interview with WESH-TV, Figueroa said she didn't anticipate how difficult it would be … Continue reading Our Stories: “The Unemployed Mermaid,” a Disney/DEO parody
Work search, registration, and waiting week waived til December 5, 2020
Governor Ron DeSantis has directed DEO to continue waiving the work search and work registration requirements for claimants for an additional 90 days. These requirements will continue to be waived through December 5, 2020. Additionally, the waiting week requirement will be waived through December 5, 2020.
FL releases more federal housing aid to local governments
The Florida Housing Finance Corp. approved distribution of another $45 million to local governments specifically to help Floridians struggling with rent and mortgage payments because of COVID-19-related job and business losses.
DeSantis names new head of DEO and we’re not optimistic
Florida District 77 Rep. Dane Eagle (R), the current Florida House Majority Leader, will take over as chief executive of Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) on September 14. Eagle replaces Ken Lawson, who resigned as head of DEO on August 31. Eagle lost his party's primary race last month for election to the U.S. … Continue reading DeSantis names new head of DEO and we’re not optimistic
New Florida moratorium on evictions & foreclosures will only help some
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued another last-day-of-the-month moratorium on evictions and foreclosures Monday night, but unlike the last extension in late July, it offers limited and very targeted relief. DeSantis extended the eviction moratorium until Oct. 1, 2020, but quietly changed the wording. Housing experts told the Florida Phoenix the moratorium will help many tenants … Continue reading New Florida moratorium on evictions & foreclosures will only help some
