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Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)
November 6, 2009
President Signs Bill
On Friday, November 6, President Obama signed the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 into law. The new law provides additional weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) for thousands of Floridians who have exhausted all benefits or will by the end of the year.Our top priority is paying our eligible customers as quickly as possible and we will begin making payments within 4 to 6 weeks. We will post regular updates to our web site and expand call center coverage to assist customers. Some customers will automatically be eligible for the extension; those who need to file applications will receive instructions.
November 5, 2009 – UPDATED 3:00 p.m.
Legislation Headed to White House
On Thursday, November 5, 2009, the U.S. House concurred with legislation passed by the U.S. Senate to extend emergency unemployment benefits by up to 20 weeks for eligible Floridians. The bill (H.R. 3548) now moves to the White House for the president to consider.
November 5, 2009
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Passes U.S. Senate
One Step Closer to Becoming Law
On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, the proposal to extend emergency unemployment benefits by up to 20 weeks for eligible Floridians passed the U.S. Senate.The proposal must pass through additional steps before eligible Floridians could receive their payments. Congress must agree on the bill and President Obama must sign it into law before the U.S. Department of Labor (US DOL) can direct states on how to distribute the additional funds.
We at the Agency for Workforce Innovation are following the issue very closely and preparing for timely distribution of benefits once it becomes law.
When the agency receives guidelines from US DOL, all customers who are potentially eligible will receive notification in the mail; those who need to file applications will receive instructions. Customers who have already exhausted their benefits should not file an application for additional benefits until this law takes effect.
We will provide additional information as it becomes available. For more information on the federal legislation and senate vote, please visit http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00334.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
November 6, 2009The Senate and House have passed the UI Expansion bill and the President signed it today, Friday, November 6, 2009. The bill, known as the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 (Worker Assistance Act) does the following:
- Creates up to 20 weeks of additional unemployment benefits. However, this is time limited because the date for establishing eligibility under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Program was not extended beyond December 27, 2009 that was established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
- Increases the maximum EUC Tier II from 13 weeks to 14 weeks of benefits in all states, and this Tier is no longer tied to the state reaching a specified level of unemployment;
- Creates an EUC Tier III to provide up to 13 additional weeks of benefits in states with a total unemployment rate of at least 6 percent;
- Creates an EUC Tier IV to provide up to 6 additional weeks of benefits in states with a total unemployment rate of at least 8.5 percent.
Customers who have exhausted all entitlement to regular, EUC Tier I and Tier II benefits will be eligible. You may be eligible for Tier III Emergency Unemployment benefits if:
- You are totally or partially unemployed;
- You exhaust all entitlement to Tier I and Tier II Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits;
- You are not eligible for regular Unemployment Compensation benefits in any state (including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia) or Canada;
- You satisfy all requirements of the Florida UC law that apply to regular UC claims, such as being able and available for work, and have not been disqualified from receiving benefits based on your reason for separation and are authorized to work in the United States.
The new law is effective for weeks of unemployment beginning November 8, 2009. The first week that Tier III EUC can be paid is the week ending November 14, 2009.
How do I apply for Emergency Unemployment Compensation?
Not all customers will need to complete an application to begin receiving EUC Tier III benefits. Customers in current reporting status on their claims when exhausting EUC Tier II or customers currently receiving EB will automatically transition to EUC Tier III. Only customers who have exhausted all entitlement to EUC Tier II and EB and are no longer reporting will need to complete an application.
By early December the agency will mail notification to customers who may be eligible for EUC Tier III. In addition, customers may periodically check the agency’s website at www.floridajobs.org for updates on the status of program implementation.
Applications can be filed by returning the notification through the mail or by completing an Internet application at the agency’s website, www.floridajobs.org, when computer programming is completed in early December.
I am currently receiving Extended Benefits (EB), will I receive the Tier III Emergency benefits?
Yes, customers will automatically be enrolled in EUC Tier III.
How do I apply for Emergency benefits if I am currently receiving Extended Benefits (EB)?
EUC Tier III will be established automatically for customers currently receiving EB and those who exhaust EB on or after the week ending November 7, 2009.
I was not eligible to receive Extended Benefits (EB) because I live in a state that is not on EB. Will I be eligible to receive the Tier III Emergency Benefits?
Yes.
What is the first week payable on Emergency Unemployment Compensation?
The week ending November 14, 2009.
Will I be paid retroactive to the effective date of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation enactment date?
Yes, if you are not currently receiving benefits and meet all other eligibility requirements.
What is the amount of Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits I will be paid?
The weekly benefit amount will be the same as the amount of the newest eligible regular UC claim. The total benefits will be equal to the lesser of 50% of the original available credits of the regular claim or 13 weeks. If you exhaust EUC Tier III by December 27, 2009, eligibility can be established under EUC Tier IV. EUC Tier IV will provide the lesser of 24% of the available credits of the regular UC claim or up to 6 weeks.
How will I claim weeks for Emergency benefits?
Through the Internet or the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system – in the same manner that other EUC benefits were claimed.
How will I be paid?
The same method of payment that was used when receiving other payments made on the claim.
What are EUC work search requirements?
The same requirements apply as were applicable to Tier I and Tier II benefits.
How can I get help finding a job?
We encourage you to contact your local One Stop Career Center for job search assistance. Florida’s One Stop Career Centers offer a wide variety of employment and training services across the state. Additionally, you can search for wide array of job opportunities on the EmployFlorida Marketplace by going to www.EmployFlorida.com.
Appeal Rights
Whenever you receive a determination for Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits, you have the same right to appeal as under the regular UC program. The appeal rights are explained in the Benefits Rights Information Pamphlet located on the Internet at www.floridajobs.org.
Penalties
If you receive EUC that you are not eligible to receive, you may be required to repay the benefits. The Florida UC law contains penalties for knowingly making false statements or knowingly withholding facts to obtain benefits. Federal law also contains criminal penalties for knowingly and willfully concealing facts or making false representations.