The United States economy has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and unparalleled public health measures put in place in most states.
Since the outbreak, a record number of Americans have applied for unemployment benefits.
If you’re unemployed and living in Florida, this article will enlighten you on how to file for unemployment in Florida.
If you’ve lost your job, been placed on furlough, or had your hours cut or lowered to zero due to no fault of your own, you can apply for financial aid and job placement assistance online simply by filing for unemployment in Florida.
Table of contents
Who Is Qualified To Receive Unemployment Benefits In Florida?
You must be a Florida resident and meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for this benefit program:
- Unemployed
- Have worked in Florida over the previous 12 months (this period may be longer in some situations),
- Have earned a minimum amount of wages specified by Florida criteria,
- And is actively seeking work each week while receiving benefits.
Working part-time or on a temporary basis does not imply that you can’t access the benefits.
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How Much Will I Earn Weekly As Unemployment Benefits in Florida?
Individuals in Florida can get a maximum unemployment benefit of $575 per week, or roughly $22 per hour, until September 6, 2023. Individuals can receive a maximum weekly benefit of $275 per week, or about $7 per hour, after that.
Do I Have To Apply For Unemployment Insurance If I’m Eligible For PUA?
States must establish a procedure for assessing whether PUA applicants are ineligible for regular unemployment benefits, which may or may not require filing a regular claim as a first step.
To achieve this criterion, states are not required to take and process a full claim for conventional unemployment insurance benefits.
Applications should be made through the state’s PUA application procedure, and in states where that process has not yet been established, they have to wait until it is.
Is It Possible For Furloughed Employees To Receive Unemployment Benefits?
Yes. Furloughed employees — those who have been placed on obligatory unpaid leave — are encouraged to apply for unemployment benefits in Florida.
You may be eligible for unemployment benefits if your hours were cut or you were put on a zero-hour schedule. Even if your boss thinks you won’t be qualified, you should still apply.
Your earnings from the previous week, not the number of hours you worked, determine your eligibility. The Reemployment Assistance team will analyze your information and determine your eligibility after you apply for benefits.
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Where Can I Apply For Unemployment Benefits In Florida?
The Department of Economic Opportunity can be reached on 800-204-2418 in order to apply for unemployment benefits and also via its online gateway where claimants and businesses can obtain and give further information about Reemployment Assistance to the Department. Individuals can also contact the Department if they suspect Reemployment Assistance fraud or identity theft.
Requirements To Apply For Unemployment Benefits In Florida
To apply for unemployment benefits, you’ll need the following documents:
- Your Social Security number
- Your state ID or driver’s license number
- Information about your work history for the last 18 months, including:
- Names, locations, and phone numbers of employers
- Dates of employment’s first and last day
- During employment periods, gross earnings (before taxes)
- The reason behind the breakup
- FEIN (Federal Employment Identification Number) (on your W2 or 1099 tax forms). If you don’t have an FEIN, utilize the employer information from your paystub instead.
Some employees will be required to supply additional information, such as:
- Non-residents in the United States must produce their Alien Registration Number or a work permit form.
- Military personnel must supply copies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 of their DD-214.
- Employees of the federal government must submit an SF 8 or SF 50 form.
- Members must supply the name, hall number, and phone number of their union.
You must give your bank account number and routing number if you want to use direct deposit. A Reemployment Assistance debit card can also be requested.
Steps to take in submitting a claim for unemployment benefits in Florida
You should start the claims process for Reemployment Assistance funds within one week of becoming unemployed. When your application is complete, you will be able to start receiving benefits. Claims always begin on Sunday before the application is completed. An application submitted on Thursday, for example, will take effect the Monday before that Wednesday.
In Florida, all claims must be submitted online. The entire procedure should take about 30-60 minutes to finish.
To file your unemployment claim, click here.
If you need help in submitting your claim, you can Email a RA Agent
Or call the RA hotline on 1-800-204-2418
You will receive a confirmation notification that your claim has been received once it has been lodged. Benefit payment must be requested within seven days of your scheduled report date. If your claim is approved, you will get your first payment in two to four weeks. The week you file your claim is called a “waiting week,” and no benefits are paid at that time.
Call the Claims Assistance Center toll-free at 1-800-204-2418 if you have not received a confirmation message.
Call 1-800-681-8102 if you have a disability, a legal issue, computer illiteracy, or a language barrier.
The amount of money you receive each week when unemployed varies from person to person. The only way to know for sure how much money you’ll get is to file a claim to get the unemployment benefit
For How long Will I Receive Unemployment Benefits In Florida
Benefits can last anywhere from 12 to 23 weeks, depending on Florida’s current unemployment rate. Tough, benefits will vary depending on the claimant’s earnings during the base period. The first four completed quarters within the last 18 months serve as your base period.
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Is the Unemployment benefit in Florida taxable?
Unemployment benefits are subject to taxation. If your salary is under $150,000, you won’t have to pay tax on the first $10,200 of unemployment benefits you got in 2020, thanks to a new law established by Congress.
Unemployment benefits, like wages, are included in your gross income and must be reported on your federal tax return. Depending on where you live, unemployment benefits may or may not be taxable on your state tax return. You must pay federal taxes on your unemployment compensation regardless.
Your tax refund may be smaller than in prior years if you received unemployment assistance. If you didn’t pay taxes on your unemployment checks when you got them, your tax refund may be used to pay the taxes you owe, leaving you with a lower refund.
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What Should I Do If I’m Denied Unemployment Benefit?
If you are refused unemployment benefits in Florida, you have the option of filing an online appeal, mailing an appeal, or faxing an appeal. From the time you receive your determination notice, you will have 20 days to respond.
The agency will schedule a telephone hearing after receiving your appeal, and an appeals referee will rule on your case. A decision will be mailed to you after that.
If you disagree with this judgment, you have 20 days from the date you received your notification to file an appeal with the Unemployment Appeals Commission.
Your information will be reviewed by the commissioners, and a new written decision will be issued. You can take the Commission’s decision to the Florida District Court of Appeal if you disagree with it.
Conclusion
After your unemployment claim is filed and accepted, the state of Florida requires that you go through a “waiting week” during which no benefits will be paid to you.
Overall, it usually takes about three to four weeks for you to receive your first payment. You can receive benefits for anywhere between 12 and 23 weeks depending on Florida’s current unemployment rate.
References
- taxoutreach.org – Do I Have to Pay Taxes on my Unemployment Benefits?
- stateofflorida.com – Florida Unemployment Guide
- jacksonville.com – A Guide to COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits by State
- floridajobs.org – Apply for Benefits
- dol.gov – Unemployment Insurance Relief During COVID-19 Outbreak
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