Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Provides Reemployment Assistance Update – August 15
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) issued reemployment assistance updates on the Reemployment Assistance (RA) Claims Dashboard. As of August 14, DEO has paid 1,879,647 claimants a total of nearly $13.8 billion ($13,779,622,112). More than 3.3 million (3,368,153) unique claims have been processed, representing 97.5% of unique claims submitted.
UPDATES:
  • The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has been dedicated to paying eligible Floridians the reemployment assistance benefits they are owed as quickly as possible while improving the customer experience and promoting more efficient claims processing.
  • Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Centers will reopen at 7:30 am on Monday, August 17. On Saturday, August 15 – Sunday, August 16 staff resources will be dedicated to processing claims and payments.
  • CONNECT will be available today, Saturday, August 15 from 9:00 am – 3:59 pm. CONNECT will be unavailable on Sunday, August 16. CONNECT will be available at 8:00 a.m. Monday, August 17.
  • 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.”
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 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.
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:
  • The Department has recently shared a video to help claimants understand claim messages and statuses in CONNECT. This video can be viewed here.
  • Additional resources for claimants can be found at FloridaJobs.org
  • Governor DeSantis has directed DEO to continue waiving the work search, work registration requirements and waiting week requirement for claimants through September 5, 2020.
  • The Department has updated benefit payment statuses to reflect the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) payments in CONNECT. To better understand a claimant’s Reemployment Assistance weekly benefit payment status, view the step by step guide here and the video here.
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.
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