News
This Florida Mom’s Lottery Win Turned into an ‘Absolute Nightmare’ After the State Snatched Her Winnings
This Florida Mom’s Lottery Win Turned into an ‘Absolute Nightmare’ After the State Snatched Her Winnings
Brittany Wilson had a hard time when she felt like trying her luck in the Florida lottery.
“It was hard for me at that time,” the cash-strapped mother told ABC Action News. “I was having financial difficulties… something told me to go to the store and test my earnings.”
Don’t miss
Lady Luck was on Wilson’s side that day. She won $5,000 — a prize so significant to her financial situation that she says she cried with joy.
“I was thinking about all the bills I was late, just paying them,” she told ABCadding that she couldn’t wait to spend some money on her children, who mean “everything” to her.
But Wilson’s tears of joy turned to despair when she went to pick up her winnings at the Florida Lottery district office and was turned away empty-handed. It turns out her case is one of thousands in Florida – instead of walking away with a prize, many get an unpleasant surprise.
“Something that was so exciting turned into an absolute nightmare,” one winner told ABC Action News.
State debt
When Wilson went to collect her winnings on January 3, 2024, she was given a ‘Special Circumstances ticket’ stating that she might have “state debts.”
The note stated that the Florida Lottery should contact the Department of Economic Opportunity (now called the Department of Commerce) to “establish whether there is any debt” regarding unemployment benefits Wilson received in the past.
“This can’t be right,” said Wilson, who won $1,000 on a scratch-off in 2023 and had no problems receiving that money.
Wilson claims she never received a letter, email or call from the state saying she owed them money. She told ABC that she called the Florida Unemployment Assistance Program “almost every day” and reported “waiting two hours, three at most, just to talk to someone” and sort out the mess.
“If you [the state] If you can find out whether or not I am working to see if I am eligible for unemployment, you should find a way to contact me. My email on that site is still the same,” she said, signaling the lack of communication that is at the heart of the issue.
The story continues
See more information: Jeff Bezos and Oprah Winfrey invest in this asset to keep your wealth safe – you might want to do the same in 2024
Hundreds are competing
In its report, ABC revealed that thousands of Floridians like Wilson received such a ticket and had their earnings withheld by the state for overpaid unemployment benefits – and although some have challenged this and won, it appears the issue simply won’t go away. to vanish.
ABC investigative reporter Kylie McGivern sent the state the names and information of more than 530 people, all in the same boat — most of whom didn’t know they were allegedly overpaid on unemployment until they went to collect and had their premiums paid. lottery denied.
“Something needs to be done,” Wilson said. “This cannot continue to happen – with the current times, where [the price of] everything is going up: rent is going up, food is going up. Let me keep this money.
She has a valid point that every little helps in today’s economy.
Housing continues to be a significant driver of inflation in the US According to the latest Consumer Price Index Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, rents rose 0.4% in April 2024 compared to March. Meanwhile, the food index jumped 0.3% in April, after an increase of 0.4% in March.
Two weeks after ABC intervened, Wilson was finally able to receive his lottery winnings – with his supposed debt wiped from the system. Others are still fighting for their prize.
What to read next
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.