By Anthony Payero
(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) Thousands of Florida residents will no longer receive an additional $300 a week in unemployment benefits, as the last payment of its kind is scheduled for Friday, according to WFLA.
State officials reached an agreement to end the payments in May, which could have lasted until September, but were cut short due to the belief that the checks are keeping people from looking for work.
Meanwhile, businesses are having difficulties finding employees, with more than half a million jobs available, per WFLA.
“Thirty-four percent of small business owners report that they’ve increased wages in the last three months,” said Bill Herrle with the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
The federation said 57% of its members struggled to find employees over the last three months.
“We’ve always asked this question on job openings. This is at a 40-year record, and it continues to climb,” said Herrle.
Over 2.3 million Floridians were qualified for the extra $300 in pandemic benefits that will end Saturday.
“Yes there is a workforce shortage, but to completely blame it on unemployed people is wrong,” said state Rep. Anna Eskamani.
“Some are still furloughed, some have child care expenses, some are too old to be on their feet all day, in the sense they don’t have the ability to do that. They need a job that can meet their level of skill and comfort,” said Eskamani.
While there is no proof that people are not working due to making more money from home, the issue could become clear once the $300 payments come to an end this weekend.
According to WFLA, those filing for unemployment in Florida have been required to search for work in order to receive their benefits since the end of May.
Floridians must make three or five contacts per week, based on the size of their local county.