Unemployment system issues arise after thousands around Central Florida are out of work due to coronavirus pandemic

ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida residents who are looking for work due to the coronavirus are in desperate need of assistance from the recent $2 trillion stimulus deal lawmakers agreed upon.

The shutdowns and stay-at-home orders hit the local economy hard and Channel 9 found that filing for unemployment benefits is a big challenge for some.

According to the Florida unemployment claims website, laid-off workers are supposed to submit a claim within a week of losing their job, but many are saying they can’t do that because the state website is overloaded.

Read: Coronavirus: What is in the $2 trillion stimulus bill; the $1,200 check explained

Florida officials said the number of unemployment claims have skyrocketed in the last week.

“They’ve had trouble with big call volumes, a website that’s been struggling to help people,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis.

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