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Make Ends Meet

Former Applebee’s manager ‘in shock’ after DEO takes $5K lotto prize

Single mother waiting 2 years for state unemployment benefits

Deadline nears for state Homeowner Assistance Program

Florida job recruiter receives second batch of phantom unemployment claims

When We Hire LLC contacted WKMG-TV in 2021, the South Daytona company was sorting through more than 20 unemployment claims filed by people who never worked for the company.

Vacation marketing manager’s four-month wait for unemployment benefits over

After nine years on the job, Don Cantwell became one of the last of the local Holiday Inn Club Vacation managers to lose his position in March after his role became what he termed “redundant.”

Orlando man depletes 10 years of savings before receiving unemployment benefits

Peter and his wife Nanette told News 6 they borrowed money and depleted 10 years of savings waiting for the Department of Economic Opportunity to issue Peter’s unemployment benefits dating back to September 2020.

Florida man issued $3,500 after 2 years of disqualifying for jobless benefits

A Winter Park man was finally issued his unemployment benefits after two years of never having received a single payment between jobs because, according to the Department of Economic Opportunity, his requests were “disqualified.”

Polk County paramedic wins fight for cancer disability benefits

A medical evaluation convinced the Florida Retirement System to approve “line-of-duty” disability retirement benefits for Polk County Fire Rescue paramedic Christina Lambert Pierson just 3 months after sharing her fight for cancer benefits with News 6.

Safety alert: 3.1 million cars on Florida roads have open recalls

With July Fourth holiday travel just days away, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Carfax are alerting Florida vehicle owners of open recalls that need to be taken care of, most free of charge.

Florida woman receives $13K after 2-year wait for unemployment benefits

The DEO reviewed Julie Meier’s case and issued a total of $13,560 dollars into her bank account within a period of three weeks.

I now pronounce you sticker shocked: How to cut costs on weddings delayed by COVID

According to The Wedding Report, 2.5 million weddings are expected this year, marking the most since 1984. And with inflation at an all-time high, the timing could not be worse.

Many Americans not able to afford increase in weddings

A new survey by Bankrate.com shows that nearly a quarter of U.S. adults who have attended or are attending a wedding or other celebration, such as a birthday, family reunion or baptism, feel pressured to spend more than they can afford.

Transportation services, sheriff’s office among employers hiring in Seminole County

Over a dozen companies handed out applications and even did on-the-spot interviews, including Seminole County Public Schools Transportation Services.

Florida hairstylist waits year and a half for unemployment benefits

Carsa Craighton has been waiting since December 2020 to have more than $4,000 in state unemployment benefits reissued to her Way2Go debit card after the Department of Economic Opportunity took the funds back.

CareerSource Central Florida provides college, career road maps for teens

The Explore Summer Youth Program, one of three offered by Career Source Central Florida, helps teens take their first steps toward a college education or career.

Consumers admit using credit cards to cover monthly expenses

Florida consumers who are struggling with the high price of everything from gasoline to food should consider a new budget mantra: “Is it a need or a want?”

DEO says real person ready to answer unemployment claimant needs

As of Thursday, May 26, Reemployment Assistance claimants now have the option to verify their identities for Reemployment Assistance accounts directly with a “live human agent.”

Florida lottery winner discovers unemployment benefits collected by imposter

A 74-year-old's lottery winnings were withheld when the DEO said he was overpaid for unemployment benefits. However, he's been retired since 2014.

Tampa construction worker’s DEO unemployment benefits ‘nightmare’ ends

When Candido Rodriguez received a Notice of Approval from the Department of Economic Opportunity in March, the Tampa construction worker was convinced his year-long wait for benefits was finally over.

‘It’s been very disheartening:’ Florida-Georgia unemployment mix up leaves woman’s benefits on hold

When Julie Meier and her husband Mike left their home in Florida after selling their 7-year-old custom boat canvas and flooring business in 2020, they never imagined they would be caught between two unemployment systems for the next two years.

$21,000 DEO overpayment reversed thanks to Make Ends Meet

Retired Illinois couple receives 2 years worth of vulgar ‘spoof’ calls and texts

For the last two years, Adelmira and Nicholas Garcia of Illinois have endured phone calls and texts from a phantom caller who has used a spoofing app to make it appear as if the calls originated from the couple’s own cellphones.

Assistant for Alzheimer’s patient finally cleared for 33 weeks in back unemployment benefits

After more than two years of waiting for 33 weeks of state and federal unemployment benefits, worth more than $14,000, an unemployed DeLand woman is one step closer to collecting her cash.

IRS warns promises of big tax refunds could lead to an audit

The IRS Criminal Investigations Division reported a staggering $2.19 billion dollars in tax fraud with an 89.4% conviction rate, according to its 2021 annual report.

News 6 helps Florida mom collect $6K in unemployment benefits taken by DEO

Make Ends Meet contacted the DEO’s reemployment team to review the case when a mistake was found.

‘Make Ends Meet’ helps UCF grad secure nearly $7K in missing unemployment benefits

When Annalise Bockin filed for unemployment benefits for the first time in her life last year, the young UCF graduate faced a system no class had prepared her for.

Robocalls flooding phonelines, social media with bogus job offers

The scammers are back on the robocall circuit and according to the Federal Trade Commission, 2.8 million people lost an estimated $5.2 billion dollars to conmen in 2021 alone.

Flagler County man learns imposter was stealing his unemployment benefits

Tom O’Rourke, a 65-year-old from Palm Coast, lost his job and discovered someone else had already been collecting unemployment benefits under his name before News 6 stepped in to help.

Florida woman ends up dating man whose photo was used in global Catfishing scheme

Florida woman struggles to get dead husband’s tax form from DEO

When Kathleen Masters’ husband Ron died from complications linked to COVID-19, she never imagined the state’s unemployment security system would block the release of his 1099-G tax form.

IRS offering free walk-in help on taxes at Maitland location

The IRS has set up special hours at its taxpayer assistance center in Maitland with no appointment required.

Florida sexual assault loophole likely to go unchanged this session

The fight to change Florida’s sexual assault law appears to be destined to fade away this legislative session, leaving a potential loophole for anyone accused of raping someone incapacitated by drugs or alcohol.

Part-time job leaves Tampa man stuck in DEO return-to-work ‘nightmare’

An unemployed Tampa travel nurse recruiter has been blocked from state unemployment benefits after working 25 hours as a customer service phone representative.