TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) issued reemployment assistance updates on the Reemployment Assistance (RA) Claims Dashboard. As of July 2, DEO has paid 1,626,991  claimants a total of $8.7 billion ($8,703,066,112).

UPDATES:

• Governor Ron DeSantis has directed DEO to continue waiving the work search and work registration requirements for claimants through August 1, 2020.
• Additionally, the waiting week requirement will continue to be waived through August 1, 2020.
• On a quarterly basis, pursuant to Federal guidance, DEO must determine if individuals who are currently receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) are ineligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits. This routine task, often referred to as the Quarter Change, will determine if individuals could now be eligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits.
• The Quarter Change shifts the base period from January 2019 – December 2019 to April 2019 to March 2020.
• To learn more about the quarter change and wage base period, please review the Quarter Change Fact Sheet.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation:

• The Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program is now available. This program, offered through the federal CARES Act and administered by DEO, provides up to 13 weeks of benefits to a claimant who has exhausted their Reemployment Assistance benefits.
• Floridians will need to apply for PEUC benefits once the balance of their current claim is exhausted. Floridians who have already exhausted their benefits or have a Reemployment Assistance claim that expired after July 1, 2019, will also be able to apply.
  
  
  • Click here for PEUC Application Process.
  • Click here for PEUC Frequently Asked Questions.
  • Click here for COVID-19 Employment Scenarios.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance:

• The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program provides unemployment benefits to those that may not otherwise be eligible under Florida’s state Reemployment Assistance program, including independent contractors and individuals who are self-employed. Individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19 and believe they may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, can visit FloridaJobs.org and select "File a Claim" to apply and be considered for PUA. 

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• DEO will be continuing to process claims and making payments at night and over the weekend. CONNECT will be available from 8:00 a.m. – 7:59 p.m. on Friday, July 3 and Sunday, July 5, but unavailable to claimants on Saturday, July 4.
• Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Centers will be available Friday, July 3 from 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m and Sunday, July 5 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for all questions.
• This schedule does not affect individuals that wish to file a new claim. Individuals can file a new claim 24 hours a day, seven days per week at www.FloridaJobs.org and select "File a Claim."
• Starting Monday, July 6, the request to modify the date of your claim must be made by calling the Reemployment Assistance Customer Service center at 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759 and choose option 5). You may be eligible to modify the date of your claim to the date you originally attempted to apply for Reemployment Assistance only if you were unable to file a claim between the weeks of March 9, 2020 to April 9, 2020.

HOW TO APPLY FOR REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE:

• DEO has a mobile-friendly online application for individuals filing a new Reemployment Assistance claim available here. For a step by step guide on how to apply read more here. For the Reemployment Assistance Resource Guide which includes frequently asked questions, please click here. For additional information about Reemployment Assistance benefits visit www.FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19.

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts, expediting economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities and promote economic resiliency. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.FloridaJobs.org.

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