Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered the state’s unemployment agency to hold off on sending certain claimants to collection agencies.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis orders DEO to stop sending some collections letters

  • Some Floridians reported a letter from DEO ordered them to repay some benefits

  • The deferrals are for individuals who DEO said got non-fraudulent overpayments

  • The agency said it will continue collections on fraudulent overpayments

Many have reached out to Spectrum News in recent weeks, concerned about receiving letters from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Those letters tell an individual they have been overpaid in unemployment benefits, and are required to pay back those benefits or face being sent to a collection agency.

Friday, DeSantis sent a letter to Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis to assist DEO in deferring all referrals to collection agencies for non-fraudulent overpayments and debts owed for those who received benefits between March 1, 2020 and September 4, 2021.

Emilie Oglesby, Director of Communications for Florida DEO, told Spectrum News, “…the state hasn’t been sending claimants to collections and has actually suspended it through January 2023.”

“Governor DeSantis’ letter is requesting to make it an indefinite referral for all non-fraudulent debts owed by claimants for state Reemployment Assistance benefits owed for weeks beginning March 1, 2020 through September 4, 2021,” Oglesby said. 

DEO emphasized this measure does not include fraudulent overpayments as the agency will continue to investigate and ensure “…bad actors are held accountable for their fraudulent actions in accordance with the law.”