AMERICAN RECOVERY and REINVESTMENT ACT of 2009
Office of Unemployment Compensation
FAST FACTS
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Overview
The Unemployment Compensation (UC) Program is a state administered insurance program against the involuntary loss of employment. It operates throughout the nation as a partnership between the states and federal government. The program serves as an economic stopgap against wage loss while workers in the labor market are actively seeking other jobs. The program assists business through stabilization of local economics enabling workers to continue to spend money for goods and services that businesses provide to their communities.All costs associated with the program are funded through employer finances payroll taxes paid quarterly to the state UC agency (contracted to Department of Revenue) and annually to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Structure
Because each state receiving federal administrative grants is responsible to the federal government through the federal-state partnership design of the program, each state must designate an entity in state government to provide that role. The Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) is designated by law as the state agency with ultimate authority over Florida’s UC program.
- The UC program is divided into 3 areas of responsibility, 2 of which are administered by AWI – claims and appeals. Unemployment tax is administered by the Department of Revenue (DOR) through an annual contract with AWI.
- Claims – Two claim hubs located in Tallahassee and Ft. Lauderdale provide claim intake and issue initial eligibility determinations for a variety of UC programs. Claims ensures benefit payments are processed when due. Claims also operates remote adjudication offices in Jacksonville and Orlando as well as a call center in Orlando for assisting individuals with routine questions relating to claims.
- Tax – The Department of Revenue is responsible for tax processes including new employer liability determinations; ensuring employer filings of quarterly wage reports, enforcing tax collections, conducting field investigations and performs audits.
- Appeals – Contested determinations issued in the claims and tax processes are resolved through administrative hearings conducted by AWI’s hearing officers and special deputies. Hearings may be requested by claimants or employers who were adversely affected by an initial determination. Hearing officers conduct telephonic hearings and issue decisions from offices in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, and Ft. Lauderdale. Special deputies conduct hearings related to unemployment tax liability and issue recommended orders to the Deputy Director for final disposition.
- Unemployment Appeals Commission (UAC) –The UAC is a three member panel appointed by the Governor who serves as the highest administrative appellate authority for UC claims. At the request of a claimant or an employer, the UAC reviews appeals decisions to ensure that they conform to the essential requirements of the law. A party to a claim that disagrees with an order issued by the commission may only further pursue the claim through the Florida district courts.
- Extended the Emergency UC program.
- Created a new federally-funded program which temporarily increases UC benefits by $25 a week.
- Suspended the Federal Income tax on the first $2,400 paid in UC for tax year 2009.
- Develop actions and tasks associated to implement approved stimulus changes.
- Post information for customers to access via the Internet and Telephone Interactive Voice Response system.
- Post Frequently Asked Questions on the Internet so customers can easily access information to better understand changes that are being implemented.