TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) issued reemployment assistance updates on the Reemployment Assistance (RA) Claims Dashboard. As of September 23, DEO has paid 2,001,057 claimants a total of nearly $16.6 billion ($16,582,829,257). More than 3.8 million (3,821,024) unique claims have been processed, representing 99.2% of unique claims submitted. 

UPDATES:

• Backdating: The Department continues to work diligently to modify claim effective dates as quickly as possible. The Department has received thousands of requests from claimants to modify their filing effective date.
• The Department's process of backdating Reemployment Assistance claims includes thorough research to ensure the claimant's eligibility for backdating and to ensure the backdate does not negatively impact the claimant's claim.
• Eligibility is based, in part, on the type of program the claimant is participating in, the reason why the claimant is requesting to have their claim effective date modified and the date the claimant applied for benefits.
• It is important to note that not all claimants who request backdating are eligible to be backdated. Paying eligible Floridians the benefits they are owed continues to be our number one priority.
• Claimants should check their emails and CONNECT inbox regularly to ensure they have not missed correspondence from the Department or the opportunity to request benefits for prior weeks. 
• Extended Benefits: As announced last week, the Department is working diligently to stand up the Extended Benefits program as quickly as possible. The Department anticipates having the Extended Benefits application completed and ready for Floridians in December.
• Floridians who have exhausted their state Reemployment Assistance and their Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits and may be eligible for Extended Benefits will receive the opportunity to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Individuals should review the application for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and apply to determine if they are eligible.
• Click here to view a guide for claimants who have exhausted their PEUC benefits and have been provided the opportunity to apply for PUA.
• Once Extended Benefits is available in the CONNECT system, the Department will do continued outreach to those individuals to ensure they are receiving benefits from the appropriate program.
• Click here to review all of the Florida Reemployment Assistance benefit programs.

PANDEMIC EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION:

• The Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, offered through the federal CARES Act and administered by DEO, provides up to 13 weeks of benefits to claimants who 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 Reemployment Assistance claims that expired after July 1, 2019, will also be able to apply. 

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 www.FloridaJobs.org and select "File a Claim" to apply and be considered for PUA. 

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• Governor Ron DeSantis has directed DEO to continue waiving the work search and work registration requirements for claimants for an additional 90 days. These requirements will continue to be waived through December 5, 2020.
• Additionally, the waiting week requirement will continue to be waived through December 5, 2020. 
• DEO will be conducting nightly maintenance to the CONNECT system to process claims and payments. CONNECT will be available from 8 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. daily. This schedule does not affect individuals who wish to file a new claim. Individuals can file a new claim 24 hours a day, seven days per week at www.FloridaJobs.organd select "File a Claim." 
• This schedule does not affect individuals who 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."  

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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