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 7, DEO has paid 2,126,937 claimants nearly $19.1 billion ($19,095,504,292). More than 4.5 million (4,541,284) unique claims have been processed, representing 98.9% of unique claims submitted.
· 99.5 percent of all eligible benefits requested prior to November 20, 2020, for state Reemployment Assistance, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) have been paid to claimants. Additionally, 99.8 percent of all eligible benefits requested by claimants prior to November 20, 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:
· 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.
· 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.
· 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 12, CONNECT will be available 8:00 a.m. – 4:59 p.m. CONNECT will be unavailable on Sunday, December 13.
· 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 12 – Sunday, December 13, staff resources will be dedicated to processing claims and payments. The Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center will reopen Monday, December 14, 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.