TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) issued weekly Reemployment Assistance updates. Daily updates can be found on the Reemployment Assistance (RA) Claims Dashboard.
PAYMENT PROGRESS
· As of December 14, DEO has paid 2,135,014 claimants more than $19.3 billion ($19,303,800,335). More than 4.5 million (4,584,019) unique claims have been processed, representing 99 percent of unique claims submitted.
· 98.8 percent of all eligible benefits requested prior to November 27, 2020, for state Reemployment Assistance, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) have been paid to claimants. Additionally, 99.9 percent of all eligible benefits requested by claimants for weeks of unemployment prior to July 25, 2020, have also received their corresponding Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits for that week.
· If a claimant has not received benefits or all of the benefits they believe they are entitled to, they should:
· Check that they have requested benefits;
· Check that the weeks they are requesting are eligible weeks; and
· Check that their account information in CONNECT is up-to-date and accurate.
· If a claimant needs additional assistance, they should call the Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-833-FL-APPLY.
· The Department continues to work to modify claim effective dates as appropriate. The requests for these benefits are not included in this data.
· The Department would like to remind claimants that it is important to continue requesting benefits to receive payment. This video and guide may be helpful.
UPDATES:
· Extended Benefits: The Extended Benefits application is now available for eligible claimants in the CONNECT system.
· Individuals who exhausted their Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits, which happens after exhausting Reemployment Assistance benefits, during the Extended Benefits period may be eligible for up to six weeks of Extended Benefits. The Extended Benefits period is June 7, 2020, through November 7, 2020. Extended Benefits is payable only for weeks of unemployment during the Extended Benefits period.
· If a claimant is eligible for Extended Benefits, their weekly benefit amount will be the same as the weekly benefit amount received for their state Reemployment Assistance claim or PEUC claim. The benefits will apply retroactively, which means benefits will be paid for weeks of unemployment during the Extended Benefits period, which is June 7, 2020, through November 7, 2020.
· Individuals who are eligible for Extended Benefits will be notified by the Department and can access step-by-step instructions on how to apply here or view an instructional video here. Claimants who are currently on Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) will be able to apply for Extended Benefits at a later date.
· Extended Benefits is a federal program implemented by the state. Extended Benefits authorizes up to an additional six weeks of benefits to eligible individuals who have exhausted Reemployment Assistance benefits during periods of high unemployment.
· By law, Extended Benefits triggered to an “on” status on June 7, 2020. DEO was informed that Florida triggered off Extended Benefits the week ending November 7, 2020. As of November 8, 2020, Extended Benefits is no longer available. However, eligible individuals now have the ability to retroactively claim these weeks.
· Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions regarding Extended Benefits. Click here to review all of the Florida Reemployment Assistance benefit programs.
· Waivers: Governor Ron DeSantis has directed DEO to continue waiving the waiting week requirement for claimants through December 26, 2020.
· Additionally, the work search and work registration requirements will continue to be waived through January 2, 2021.
· Claimant Communication: In the coming weeks, the Department will be sending important emails to claimants, including actions that may need to be taken on their CONNECT account. The Department sends emails from Do-Not-Reply email addresses, these are official notifications from the Department.
· CONNECT Hours: 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, Monday – Friday.
· On Saturday, December 19, and Sunday, December 20, CONNECT will be available 8:00 a.m. – 4:59 p.m.
· 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.”
· Customer Service Centers: Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Centers are available this week Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. for all account inquiries and questions. On Saturday, December 19 – Sunday, December 20, staff resources will be dedicated to processing claims and payments. The Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center will reopen Monday, December 21, at 7:30 a.m.
· Job Opportunities: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is hiring across the state. To view a list of vacant opportunities, visit here.
CARES ACT BENEFITS
· 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.
· 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.
· 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.