Apply for Unemployment Compensation in Florida
Being unemployed is fraught with hardship and challenge. Fortunately, Reemployment Assistance (also called reemployment assistance insurance) can provide temporary wage replacement benefits to qualified individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own.
All reemployment assistance claims must now be filed online. To determine your eligibility and work through the process as swiftly as possible, let wikiHow be your guide. Keep reading!
Contents
Steps
Your Eligibility
- Determine your eligibility. In order to qualify for benefits, you must meet certain requirements:
- You've lost your job through no fault of your own.
- You are actively looking for a new job.
- You're ready to take a new job when offered.
- Meet monetary eligibility requirements. To qualify monetarily, you must:
- Have been paid wages in 2 or more calendar quarters in the base period. (The base period is the first 4 quarters of the previous 5 completed quarters prior to filing a claim.)
- Have total base period wages of at least 1-1/2 times the wages in the quarter having the highest earnings.
- Have at least $3,400 total wages in the base period.
- For example, let's say you were laid off in August of the current year, which is in the middle of the 3rd quarter of the year. The base period begins 5 full quarters prior to your start of your unemployment, which puts the beginning of the base period at April 1st of the prior year.
- Meet non-monetary eligibility requirements. You may be eligible for unemployment benefits if you were discharged for any reason other than voluntarily quitting or misconduct.
- Misconduct is a job loss due to intentional or controllable acts or failures to take action that show a deliberate disregard of the employer's interests.
- Eligibility for unemployment compensation will be determined during the process of filing a claim. Individuals who are unsure if they qualify should still apply.
Filing a Claim
- Decide how you wish to file your claim. Individuals may use one of several formats to apply for unemployment compensation in Florida.
- File a claim online by visiting the agency's website at FloridaJobs.org
- Call the agency 1-800-204-2418 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday if you have any questions while filing the claim online. Applications may only be filed via telephone if you are computer illiterate or have a disability.
- Complete an Initial Skills Review. To receive benefits, you may complete a skills assessment review comprised of three modules designed to measure your job skill levels. This information will be used by your Regional Workforce Board to assist in developing a plan for workforce development in your region of the state. The Initial Skills Review is no longer a requirement as of July 1, 2014, however may be completed in order to increase chances of employability.
- The completion of this review does not in any way affect the outcome of other potential issues that may be affecting your claim, but you must complete all 3 parts within 17 days of your claims effective date.
- Be precise. Accurately report the reason for separation from your job when you file your claim. It is important that you provide the Reemployment Insurance office with the precise reason for your separation to help you avoid fraud.
- Report any wages you are earning. You must report your gross wages (before your taxes) for each week you work and certify for benefits, even if you don’t get paid until later. Be sure to accurately report on all earnings during your weekly claim certification—even those from part-time or temporary work.
- If you collect more RI benefits than you are eligible for because you fail to report earnings, you may be committing fraud and subject to prosecution.
- Register with the Employ Florida Marketplace (EFM). You may seek help in finding a job through EFM. EFM provides valuable resources that are available for your use, including job referrals, resume building and reemployment services.
- Be available for work. In order to collect benefits, you must continually verify that you are able, available and willing to accept suitable work.
- Possible conflicts like attending school during work hours or limitations with child care or transportation could limit your work availability and be an eligibility issue. Report such issues on your claim forms.
- Actively search for work. You must search for work each week that you file a claim for benefits.
- Develop an effective work search plan. Many Reemployment Insurance claimants do not have an effective plan for searching for work. The Employ Florida Marketplace is a great place to learn about different kinds of jobs, their availability, and how to get training.Visit EmployFlorida.com for more information and assistance with planning an effective work search.
- Avoid errors to ensure proper payment of benefits. To prevent errors in payment of RI benefits that may result in an overpayment, it is important that you read all of the information that is provided to you when you file your claim for benefits. Improper payment of benefits will cause a delay or denial of future benefits.
- Report your work ASAP. Don’t delay — as soon as you begin working again, report it. Be sure to notify the RI office and stop claiming benefits if you are working full-time. Don't wait until you receive your first paycheck to report it.
- Follow the rules to prevent yourself from committing fraud. If you collect RI benefits, be sure to follow the requirements set by state law. Failure to follow the rules can result in serious consequences, including possible jail time.
- Know your responsibilities and ask for help. Navigating through the RI system can be confusing. If you have a question about your responsibilities or the requirements of receiving benefits, contact the RI office.
Wait and Respond to Inquiries
- Individuals should respond to any requests for additional information. The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation will send confirmation of unemployment compensation through the mail once there is approval or denial.
- A Wage Transcript and Determination form will provide an explanation of coverage and eligibility for the base period. Weekly benefit amounts and total available credits will be on the form.
- Respond to adjudication, if requested. This is a request for more information from the last employer. This determines if an individual is eligible for unemployment compensation based on how they separated from their previous employer.
- File an appeal. Applicants that disagree with the amount of weekly benefits, the adjudicator's determination or other facts, may appeal the claim at the agency's website.
Tips
- Sign up for the debit card program. Receive your benefit payments faster through the Debit Card program. To find out how the Debit Card program works, read Debit Card Frequently Asked Questions.
- Read the Benefits Rights Information Booklet. You should understand your rights and responsibilities as a Florida reemployment assistance compensation claimant. Review the Benefits Rights Information booklet.
- All information on filing an unemployment claim, including claim forms, is available in Spanish at the agency's website.
- AWI Form UCB-231 will be sent periodically to claimants. This form will ensure individuals are actively looking for work and are still eligible for receiving benefits. Claimants must respond according to the timeline provided on the form.
- Have your information ready. When you file a claim, have your past employment information available. This includes dates worked, name of employer and reason for separation.
- Individuals living in another state, but having eligible employment in Florida during the base period, may file and claim unemployment benefits using the methods listed above.
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