Some say a recent state fix still isn't working for those seeking unemployment

ID verification issues have locked some out which consequently has cut off their state aid.

LEE HEALTH HAS THE CAPACITYTODAY TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDECARE FOR ALL WHO NEED IT.’HERE AT FOX FOUR, WE ARECOMMITTED TO HELPING YOU RECOVERFROM THE PANDEMIC...THATINCLUDES KEEPING YOU UP TO DATEON THE STATE’S UNEMPLOYMENTSYSTEM.AND ONE OF THE MOST FRUSTRATINGCHALLENGES FOR FLORIDIANSSEEKING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITSHAS BEEN I-D VERIFICATION.

USERSHAVE COMPLAINED THE STATE’SONLINE SYSTEM HAS LOCKED THEMOUT FOR *WEEKS WITH FEW OPTIONSTO GET BACK IN.BUT AS CAPITOL REPORTER FORRESTSAUNDERS SHOWS US SOME SAY ARECENT STATE FI━STILL ISN’TWORKING.For several weeks Naresh(NUH-RAY-SHHH)Maragh(MUH-RODGE)was getting the unemploymentbenefits he was entitled.That is until his online accounthit a roadblock."It was locked"( Naresh 1:12)ID verification issues lockedhim out the CONNECT website,cutting off aid.(Naresh Maragh, Waiting on IDVerification)"You have to request benefitsweekly.

I cannot requestbenefits weekly because I can’tget into my account."( Naresh 4:49)For two weeks he’s tried fixingit, calling the Department ofEconomic Opportunity’s numbe━"All of our phone lines are busyand we’re unable to offer acallback option at this time."(PHONE LINE 51:52)But, busy phone lines have kepthim and others with the sameproblem at bay."I’m wrapping my head around whythis is such a hard thing tofix."(Naresh 10:55)(Forrest Saunders,Forrest.Saunders@xxxx.com)"So with calling to verify anightmar━ the state is tryingsomething ne━ going online."(FORREST)DEO announced the new onlineportal, three weeks ago.No more calls, just quickdigital verification through alink sent directly to the user.(Jon Satter, Florida ManagementServices Secretary)"It’s 2020, people should beable to go online and verifytheir identity."(Satter 33:03)The site has been running formore than two weeks now.In a statement to us DEO saying━"Since May 25, 1,084 individualclaimants have used this tool tounlock their claims.Paying eligible Floridians thebenefits they are owed continuesto be our number one priority.""There’s a lot of confusiongoing on."(Naresh 7:23)Naresh, however, is stillwaiting.He has yet to receive averification link or anyindication of when his accountwill be unlocked.That’s despite finally reachingan operator, who never mentionedthe online option."Florida is just way behind thecurve.

It’s super frustratingbecause we’re better than that."(Naresh 8:12)DEO has tried to address thissituation on its websit━ butnot very clearly.The FAQs telling those inNaresh’s situation to wai