The WINK News newsroom has been flooded with questions from concerned Southwest Floridians over unemployment issues. We set out with a goal to get all of your questions answered.

Below are the questions we have asked The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Governor Ron DeSantis’ office. Some remain unanswered and we continue to work to get you that information. New questions are also regularly added based on your concerns.

As the information on this page continues to grow, a simple way to locate the information you need is to use your computer’s “find” tool and type in a keyword, such as “paper application” or “CARES Act.” The keyboard shortcut for the “find” tool is Ctrl + F (or Command + F on a Mac).

The state has launched a Reemployment Assistance Claims Dashboard with the latest numbers on claims submitted, verified, processed, and paid. You can see that dashboard HERE.

Here’s what Investigative Reporter Sara Girard has gathered so far:

DEO’s FAQ + Resource Guide

DEO released a new resource guide with answers to many of the questions WINK News viewers have asked. We’ve included some of those answers below. Since they’ll be updating the FAQ regularly, the DEO suggests visiting FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19 and clicking on Frequently Asked Questions for the most recent information.

Have case-specific questions and concerns for DEO and Governor DeSantis?

WINK News created a short form you can fill out. We will take your names and information straight to the governor and DEO for answers.

Have a suggestion or general question about improving the unemployment system?

With Dane Eagle as the new Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, are changes coming? Give your suggestions on how to improve our current unemployment system and we’ll take them straight to the top.

Were you deemed ineligible for unemployment?

Florida House Rep. Anna Eskamani put together this guide on What To Do If You’re Ineligible in CONNECT. Click HERE.

Current Reemployment Assistance by the numbers

As of August 31, DEO has paid 2,416,469 claimants more than $31.5 billion ($31,548,274,069). Over 5.6 million (5,645,944) unique claims have been processed, representing 99.2 percent of unique claims submitted.

You can see daily reemployment assistance updates on the Reemployment Assistance (RA) Claims Dashboard.

*Florida Reemployment Assistance claim numbers are not official until the U.S. Department of Labor releases them each Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

Technology Enhancements

DEO will be conducting nightly maintenance to the CONNECT system to help with processing claims. CONNECT will only be available from 8 a.m. – 7:59 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

DEO will be continuing to process claims and making payments over the weekend and will be unavailable to existing claimants. 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 FloridaJobs.org and select “File a Claim.”

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Updates

• All claimants, unless otherwise exempt, are now required to submit work searches for every week of state or federal benefits requested. For a step-by-step guide on submitting required work searches, click here.
• Additionally, all new claimants, unless otherwise exempt, must complete the work registration requirement through Employ Florida. Click here to view instructions on how to register with Employ Florida.
• An accurate work search record may include, but is not limited to, registering for work and reemployment services with a local CareerSource Center, completing a job application in person or online, mailing a job application or resume, making in-person visits with potential employers, interviewing with potential employers, or registering for work with employment or placement agencies to name a few.
• Click here for a list of options claimants can consider to meet the work search requirement for each week. To determine how many work searches you will be required to complete, click here.
• For a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the work search and work registration requirements, click here.

• CARES Act Extension: On Dec. 27, 2020, a federal COVID-19 relief package, that extends and provides additional federal unemployment benefits, was signed into law.
• While the Department has been working diligently on implementing these additional benefits, it must first receive guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) before changes can be fully implemented and payments can be issued, as was the case when the CARES Act was initially enacted.
• The Department has been in frequent communication with USDOL and will provide more information when it becomes available.
• The extension will provide eligible claimants with additional weeks of benefits as well as $300 in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits for each week a claimant receives state or Federal Reemployment Assistance benefits through March 13, 2021.
• Once proper guidance is received from USDOL and the programs are fully implemented, claimants will receive benefits for all weeks they are owed.
• The Department’s number one priority continues to be ensuring that all eligible Floridians are paid as quickly as possible. For more information about the CARES Act program extensions, view this document.
• Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC): MEUC will provide an additional $100 per week to eligible individuals in addition to the benefit amounts for which they otherwise would be eligible from traditional employment under state law. MEUC will be available to eligible claimants through March 13, 2021.
• Claimants eligible for certain underlying benefit programs may be eligible for these additional benefits if they have received at least $5,000 net income from work in self-employment for the most recent tax year and must provide documentation to substantiate the employment and income.
• The Department is awaiting guidance from USDOL to provide more information on the eligibility and specific documentary requirements, which is needed before the program can be implemented and payments issued.
• Quarter Change: On a quarterly basis, pursuant to Federal guidance, DEO must determine whether or not individuals who are currently receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) are instead eligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits.
• Claimants who are currently receiving PUA or PEUC may need to take specific actions on their claim when they log-in to CONNECT and request benefit payments after January 1, 2021, when the new quarter comes into effect.
• In the coming days, those claimants will receive an additional notification with specific instructions regarding their claim. Below is step-by-step instructions on what these claimants will need to do to ensure there is no break in receiving benefits.
• Click here for the Quarter Change PUA Step-by-Step Guide
• Click here for the Quarter Change PUA Questionnaire Video
• Click here for the Quarter Change PEUC Step-by-Step Guide
• Click here for the Quarter Change PEUC Questionnaire Video
• Click here for the Quarter Change Fact Sheet
• The Department encourages all individuals to log-in to CONNECT and ensure their contact information is accurate and up-to-date.

DEO is hiring (11/17/20)

• Job Opportunities: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is hiring across the state. To view a list of vacant opportunities, visit here.

New website to help with “Return to Work” issues (11/10/20)

• DEO launched a website to assist claimants with verifying whether they have returned to work, and whether any new job separation has occurred since filing their initial claim.
• Individuals who have a “Return to Work Issue” connected with their Reemployment Assistance claim have been notified, and they should complete the questionnaire to help determine their eligibility for benefits. To utilize this site, a claimant must have a “Return to Work Issue” associated with their claim and have been notified by the Department.

Extended Benefits retroactive only for weeks Jun. 7 – Nov. 7 (11/6/20)

• As previously mentioned, due to the increase in the Florida unemployment rate in early 2020, Extended Benefits was triggered for the first time since 2009. 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.
• The Department has been notified by the U.S. Department of Labor that due to a 13 week average decrease in new individuals continuing to claim Reemployment Assistance benefits in Florida, Extended Benefits will end on November 7. This means that only individuals who have exhausted their Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits between June 7, 2020, and November 7, 2020, may be eligible for the six weeks of Extended Benefits when the application is available in the CONNECT system.
• Individuals who have exhausted their Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits after November 7, 2020, will not be eligible for Extended Benefits. They will however receive the opportunity to apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Individuals should review the application for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and may apply to determine if they are eligible.
• 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.
• In the meantime, Floridians who have exhausted 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 may apply to determine if they are eligible.
• Once Extended Benefits is available in the CONNECT system, the Department will do continued outreach to those individuals to ensure they receive benefits from the appropriate program.
• Click here to review all of the Florida Reemployment Assistance benefit programs.
• As individuals exhaust all of the available Reemployment Assistance benefit programs, the Department is working to point them to other local, state and federal resources available.

Amending a submitted application (10/9/20)

• Claimants who need to have an error in their application corrected are required to call the Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center. It is imperative that the department confirms the changes are accurate and made by the claimant themselves. This quality control measure is in place to prevent incorrect payment and fraud. Claimants can contact a Reemployment Assistance representative by calling the Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-833-FL-APPLY.

Quarter Change for PUA and PEUC claimants (10/1/20)

• On a quarterly basis, pursuant to Federal guidance, DEO must determine whether or not individuals who are currently receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) are instead eligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits.
• Today, claimants who are currently receiving PUA or PEUC may need to take specific actions on their claim when they log-in to CONNECT and request benefit payments, when the new quarter comes into effect.
• Those claimants will receive an additional notification with specific instructions regarding their claim. Below is step-by-step instructions on what these claimants will need to do to ensure there is no break in receiving benefits.
• Click here for the Quarter Change PUA Step-by-Step Guide
• Click here for the Quarter Change PUA Questionnaire Video
• Click here for the Quarter Change PEUC Step-by-Step Guide
• Click here for the Quarter Change PEUC Questionnaire Video
• Click here for the Quarter Change Fact Sheet
• The Department encourages all individuals to log-in to CONNECT and ensure their contact information is accurate and up-to-date.

Florida approved for one more $300 payment of LWA (9/14/20)

• The Department has submitted and has been approved to provide a fourth week of Federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program benefits for eligible Floridians. Eligible Floridians, which includes Floridians receiving Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance who are not typically eligible for state Reemployment Assistance, should expect to receive this additional benefit sometime this week. The fourth week will be the last week of LWA benefits provided.
• The original LWA application was for three weeks and those payments have been provided to eligible Floridians for weeks ending August 1, August 8 and August 15, 2020.  For more information about the LWA program, click here.
• DEO highly recommends that Reemployment Assistance claimants select direct deposit as their means of receiving benefits to ensure payments are received as quickly as possible. This video and guide may be helpful.

Rep. Dane Eagle to head the Department of Economic Opportunity (9/2/20)

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed State Representative and House Majority Leader Dane Eagle to become the next executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. He replaces Ken Lawson, who resigned from the DEO on August 31.

Florida approved for three weeks of federal Lost Wages Assistance (8/29/20)

FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Florida for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Florida to provide $300 per week — on top of their regular unemployment benefit — to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to implement a system to make this funding available to Florida residents.

On Aug. 8, 2020, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [August 29th], the state of Florida agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.

DEO UPDATE (9/4/20):The Department is working diligently to implement the necessary technology changes to ensure eligible Floridians receive the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program benefits as quickly as possible. The LWA program will allow Florida to offer an additional $300 per week to eligible Reemployment Assistance claimants. To be eligible for this benefit, claimants must have a weekly benefit amount of at least $100 in an approved Reemployment Assistance program and must certify that they are unemployed or partially unemployed due to COVID-19. Payments will be retroactive to the week ending August 1, 2020.

Majority of benefits requested before July 31 have been paid out (8/18/20)

The DEO says:

• 99.8 percent of all eligible benefits requested prior to July 31, 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 prior to July 31, 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.

Understanding claims messages and statuses (8/11/20)

The Department of Economic Opportunity has recently shared a video to help claimants understand claim messages and statuses in CONNECT. This video can be viewed here.

New site for claimants locked out of CONNECT (7/10/20)

• DEO has launched a partnership with ID.me, a trusted technology partner helping to keep claimant’s personal information safe.
• This site is for claimants who are currently locked out of their CONNECT account due to suspected fraud. Individuals who received an email from DEO are invited to click the link provided to submit additional documentation to unlock their CONNECT account.

Quarter Change for PUA and PEUC claimants (7/2/20)

• On a quarterly basis, pursuant to federal guidance, DEO must determine if individuals who are currently receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) or Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) are ineligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits. This routine task, often referred to as the Quarter Change, will determine if individuals could now be eligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits.
• The Quarter Change shifts the base period from January 2019 – December 2019 to April 2019 to March 2020.
• To learn more about the Quarter Change and wage base period, please review the Reemployment Assistance Eligibility Requirements.
• For more information and instructions on this process:
  • Click here for the Quarter Change Fact Sheet
  • Click here for the Quarter Change PUA Step-by-Step Guide
  • Click here for the Quarter Change PUA Questionnaire Video
  • Click here for the Quarter Change PEUC Step-by-Step Guide
  • Click here for the Quarter Change PEUC Questionnaire Video

Online option to backdate claims to be removed (6/23/20)

• As Floridians go back to work, and individuals have multiple ways to apply for state and federal Reemployment Assistance, starting Monday, July 6, the request to modify the date of your claim must be made by calling the Reemployment Assistance Customer Service center at 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759 and choose option 5).
• You may be eligible to modify the date of your claim to the date you originally attempted to apply for Reemployment Assistance only if you were unable to file a claim between the weeks of March 9, 2020 to April 9, 2020.

Previously, DEO had an online form to request a backdate. That option is no longer available as of July 6.

DEO told WINK News: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims will automatically become retroactive in CONNECT and a claimant should not need to take further action. A PUA claim is backdated to the first week during the Pandemic Assistance Period that the individual was unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work because of a COVID-19. For PUA benefits, a claimant may be able to claim back to February 2 or the date that they lost employment, whichever is later.

Virtual waiting room launched (6/1/20)

DEO has launched a Virtual Waiting Room for the CONNECT system. When CONNECT was developed, it was designed to have 1,000 concurrent users at a time. With the system enhancements put into place over the last few months, CONNECT is now able to host 80,000+/- concurrent users and provide a positive experience for the users utilizing the system. The CONNECT Virtual Waiting Room allows claimants to reserve their place in line while other claimants access the system.

New identity verification tool (5/27/20)

• DEO, in partnership with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, launched a website to verify the identity of claimants who have been locked out of their CONNECT account, the online system for processing Reemployment Assistance claims.
• Individuals who were locked out of their CONNECT account have been notified and provided a direct link to verify their information so they can access their account and have their Reemployment Assistance claims processed.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) (5/26/20)

• The Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program is now available. This 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.
• Through PEUC, Floridians may be eligible for up to $275, in addition to the $600 through Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), in weekly benefits. The additional $600 through FPUC applies only to weeks of unemployment beginning March 29, 2020 and ends with the week ending July 31, 2020.
• All claimants participating in PEUC will still be required to claim weeks on a biweekly basis, certifying that they remain unemployed and are able and available for work during the weeks they are receiving PEUC. The first week a claimant can be eligible for this benefit is the week beginning March 29, 2020, and the last payable week is the week ending December 26, 2020.
• Unemployed Floridians who have exhausted their state Reemployment benefits will be notified with the next steps for PEUC.
• Click here for PEUC Application Process.
• Click here for PEUC Frequently Asked Questions.
• Click here for COVID-19 Employment Scenarios.

Claiming weeks (5/11/20)

To comply with federal law, weeks beginning May 10, 2020, claimants will be required to return to the CONNECT system every two weeks to request their benefits or “claim their weeks.” In doing so, claimants will confirm that they are still unemployed and acknowledge that they are able and available for work should it be offered. For more information, click here.

If claimants, currently receiving Reemployment Assistance benefits, no longer wish to receive benefits, they do not need to claim their weeks, as payments will stop processing if weeks stop being claimed.

Governor Ron DeSantis has directed the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to continue waiving the work search and work registration requirements for claimants through June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021).

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program (4/28/20)

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/28/20): “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.

“Many of the individuals that were deemed ineligible this weekend may be eligible for federal benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

“We have streamlined the claims process for all applicants in a one-stop shop, on our website at www.floridajobs.org. Floridians can click file a claim, and answer a few short questions that will lead them to the application for federal or state benefits. They may also call 1-833-FL-Apply (1-833-352-7759) for any questions they may have.”

“Applicants should utilize the following criteria when applying for (PUA) Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program:

• Individuals who applied for the state’s Reemployment Assistance benefits on or after April 5, 2020, and were deemed ineligible for state reemployment assistance benefits will receive additional application information from the Department. They can also visit www.floridajobs.org/cares-act for more information regarding these programs. Please advise these Floridians to monitor their accounts and email for additional information from the Department.
• Those who are self-employed, contract employees, gig workers, or others who applied for the state’s Reemployment Assistance benefits on or before April 4, 2020, should apply at www.FloridaJobs.org and select “File a Claim” to request PUA.
• Unemployed Floridians who have not yet applied for any benefit should apply at www.FloridaJobs.org and will be considered for all existing programs, including PUA.”

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General questions:

What is the average wait time for the CONNECT website’s new “waiting in line” feature?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/17/20): “The times vary wildly depending on the day and time of day. After about 5 pm, there is typically little to no wait. Monday mornings typically have the longest wait times.”

It’s my understanding you’re capping the amount of people who can access the CONNECT website at once. How many people are you allowing at once?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/1/20): “DEO has launched a Virtual Waiting Room for the CONNECT system. When CONNECT was developed, it was designed to have 1,000 concurrent users at a time. With the system enhancements put into place over the last few months, CONNECT is now able to host 80,000+/- concurrent users and provide a positive experience for the users utilizing the system. The CONNECT Virtual Waiting Room allows claimants to reserve their place in line while other claimants access the system.

If someone if having trouble during accessing CONNECT:

1. It could be that when the claimant was in CONNECT they encountered an issue that would require them to log back into the system.
2. It could also be that CONNECT has hit its maximum number of entries due to the system’s cap on concurrent users.

“If you wanted to share with your readers, we have found that less people are logging-in later in the day for CONNECT. We want to encourage people to log-in to CONNECT, complete their tasks and log out so that other claimants can log-in.”

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/11/20): “In an effort to maximize the experience of our users, we limit the number of users on the CONNECT site at one time. This allows for users to log-in to CONNECT, access the info that they need, and log off as quickly as possible. Users should try logging into CONNECT later in the day when we see lower usage.”

Now that the unemployment rate has gone up to 12.9% as of April 2020, how will the amount of weeks available for state Reemployment Assistance be adjusted? How and when does the state plan to extend weeks?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/22/20): “The review of the number of weeks (and determining if there should be an increase) for Reemployment Assistance in our state can happen once a year. This calculation is based on the average unemployment rate of the third calendar quarter. So the calculation will be based on the unemployment rate of July, August, and September.”

Are you tracking how many people are ending their unemployment claims and when?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/22/20): “When an individual has gone back to work and/or no longer wishes to receive their benefits, they simply stop claiming their weeks. At this time, we are not collecting this information, but you can view the continuing claims information on the USDOL website: https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/DataDashboard.asp. This will allow you to see how many individuals are continuing to claim their weeks.”

Sec. Satter said the call centers are made up of Floridians, but people are telling me they’ve called and spoken with individuals who are in Texas, Ohio, etc. How can you explain this? Is the state using call centers outside of Florida?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/11/20): “DEO has directed each of the companies that have contracted with the department to assist with the Florida Reemployment Assistance program to hire only Floridians.”

The Governor’s task force said more than 3 million more jobs are vulnerable because of social distancing. Is the DEO prepared for that?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/11/20): “During this unprecedented time, the department has taken several steps to ensure eligible Floridians receive their Reemployment Assistance as quickly as possible. The following actions have been taken to improve the customer experience and streamline the processing of benefits:

• Weekly system enhancements are being deployed to improve system performance and capacity;
• Training and onboarding thousands of additional resources to assist the Reemployment Assistance Customer Call Center and other back-office claims processing functions; and
• Issuing proactive correspondence to notify claimants when actions are needed to process their case.

“At the direction of Governor DeSantis, DEO has waived the work search and work registration requirements for claimants through June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021). DEO will continue exploring all options to support claimants throughout this time of uncertainty and stress.”

What happens to a claimant collecting unemployment if their workplace reopens but they don’t feel safe returning?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/6/20): “We are following federal guidelines, and the U.S. Department of Labor says that ‘an individual who does not return to work due to general concerns about exposure to COVID-19 and who does not meet any of the other COVID-19 related criteria for PUA, is not eligible for PUA because general concerns about exposure to COVID-19 is not one of the reasons listed in the CARES Act.”

For people returning to work, how do they notify the DEO (considering they don’t have to claim weeks and can’t reach anyone over the phone)? 

If you return to work and no longer need Reemployment Assistance, stop claiming weeks and you will stop receiving payments.

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/7/20): “If there is an overpayment, repayments are accepted by check or money order with an attached payment coupon or by credit card here. Established overpayments are expected to be paid in full. If you are unable to make repayment in full, you may make payments on a monthly basis. DEO will accept any repayments toward an overpayment.”

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/6/20): “Anyone who has gone back to work should call 1-833-FL-APPLY to let our team know they have returned to work. They should VOID and return any check received past the date you returned to work to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.”

The Governor said applications would be processed in the order they are received. Why are more recent applications (like some filed in April) being approved before older ones (like those filed in March)?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/23/20): “There are several scenarios why someone who applied for benefits in April may receive benefits before someone who applied in March. A few examples include:

“If an individual has applied for Reemployment Assistance in the CONNECT system previously, they have already had their identity verified in the CONNECT system. If an individual has never applied for Reemployment Assistance, their identity must be verified. It is possible that someone who already has an account established in the CONNECT system may receive benefits before someone who has not previously received benefits, because they will not have to go through the identity verification process.

“Payments may also be delayed if an individual has provided incomplete information or information in their application that creates an eligibility flag that requires resolution.”

Response from Rep. Dane Eagle and Rep. Michael Grant (4/23/20): “DEO maintains that applications are being processed in the order they are received. One factor is that companies that employ 1,000 or more employees can file on behalf of said employees. While this may help speed up the system, it may also result in some of those claims being processed ahead of others due to the “bulk” nature of the claims.

“Another factor may be paper applications vs. online applications. DMS Secretary Jon Satter (now overseeing Florida’s unemployment system) said:

‘We’re receiving paper applications simultaneously with electronic applications.’ ‘Because many (paper applications) are in hand writing, we have to manually transcribe those paper applications into the electronic system and that’s what we have our state employees doing.’

“He estimates state employees are able to process five to six applications each per hour, up to 10 an hour.

“Lastly, previous claimants have already had their identities verified by DEO. First-timers have not. This takes additional time.”

Why do some federal checks have income tax taken out, but others don’t? Some people are receiving $540 while others are $600. Will taxes be taken out later?

Response from Rep. Dane Eagle and Rep. Michael Grant (4/23/20): “All unemployment benefits are taxed pursuant to IRS regulations. Florida RA claimants have the option of not having taxes withheld but they will be due to the IRS later or they can opt to have 10% of their weekly benefits withheld. FPUC, PUA, and PEUC are all taxable. Even though they are federal benefits, they are a supplemental extension of state administered unemployment systems. Those receiving $540 payments have elected to have the 10% withholding upfront.”

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/21/20): “Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) funding is subject to federal withholding taxes. State benefits are a taxable income. You can elect to withhold 10% of your weekly benefits due with the IRS. This can be handled after logging into your claim under ‘View and Maintain Account Information’ and selecting ‘Payment Method and Tax Withholding Options.'”

If the state reopens and people begin going back to work before their claims are processed, will they still get their state and federal benefits owed to them?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/21/20): “You may continue to request benefit weeks up to the week when you started working. When you request the week overlapping with your job, please indicate that you have worked and earned money during the week. If you expect to work full-time and/or earn over $275 in gross earnings during the week of overlap, you do not need to request benefits for that week.”

Why are people receiving their federal FPUC benefits before their state application has been approved?

Unanswered

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The new mobile-friendly site:

Do claimants have to go back to the original CONNECT website to continue with the claiming process, or should they wait to be contacted by the DEO?

UPDATE FROM DEO (4/18/20): “The new mobile app does not connect to CONNECT. However, the information submitted in the app will be transferred to CONNECT.

“If you submitted an online application through FloridaJobs.org/RAApplication, you will receive a phone call, email or letter after your application has been processed. Based on your eligibility, you may receive benefits or you have the option to appeal your determination if it negatively impacts you.”

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/10/2020): “After an individual files a claim in our new online application or submits a paper application, DEO will process their claim for Reemployment Assistance. If further information is needed, the agency will contact the claimant.”

After completing an application on the new website, are applicants supposed to call to get their identity verified and receive a temporary PIN, which they can change to then access the CONNECT site?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/16/2020): “No, that is not correct. Once they submit an application through the new website they will receive a phone call, email or letter after their application has been processed. Based on their eligibility, they may receive benefits or have the option to appeal the determination if it negatively impacts them.”

Upon finishing the application on the new website, what does “Resolved-Completed” mean?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/14/2020): “This means the application has been submitted for review.”

WHAT WE FOUND: The following is from the DEO’s resource guide, updated September 4.

My claim says it is under review, what does this mean?

Under review means the claim is being authenticated or your identity is being confirmed.

My claim still says pending. What does this mean?

Pending means that a determination has not been made on your claim.

What does active versus pending mean for my claims?

Active is referring to your claim status and that your benefit year has been established. Pending means a determination has not been made.

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The CONNECT site:

Technology Enhancements

DEO will be conducting nightly maintenance to the CONNECT system to help with processing claims. CONNECT will only be available from 8 a.m. – 7:59 p.m. daily.

Importantly, this will not affect individuals that are filing a new claim. Individuals can file a new claim 24 hours a day, seven days per week, click here.

What do claimants do once they complete their application?

UPDATE FROM DEO (5/9/20): You are required to complete a few additional items after completing your application:

• Request Benefit Payment
You are scheduled to return to the CONNECT system every two weeks to request your
benefits. Completing this process submits your request for payment during your weeks of
unemployment, even when your claim is pending for review. It is important that you request
your benefits within 7 days of your scheduled date regardless of your claim status.

• Workforce Registration (NOTE: DEO has suspended this requirement for any claims filed with an effective date of March 15, 2020, through the week ending June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021)
Under normal circumstances, you are required to register with Employ Florida. When creating (or updating) your Employ Florida profile, you must provide a valid e-mail address, upload or create a current resume, and complete background history on your profile. Please see these step-by-step instructions for more information. If you filed a claim prior to March 15, this requirement is still applicable to you.

• Work Search Contacts (NOTE: DEO has suspended this requirement beginning the week of March 15, 2020 through the week ending June 26, 2021.
You are required to provide five work search contacts for every week of benefits you request from the department. This is only applicable to applicants that apply for benefits before March 15 and after June 26, 2021.

• Any incomplete fact-findings
During the initial processing of your claim, many reviews occur regarding your eligibility for benefits. You will be mailed correspondence or sent an email reminder to check your CONNECT inbox based on your selected contact method. Please complete any requests for information as soon as possible. Any correspondence received via mail can be completed online. You can fax completed forms to 1-877-934-1504.

• Watch for your notice of monetary determination
This notice will provide details on the amount of benefits you can receive per week (weekly benefit amount), the total balance your claim has (maximum benefit amount), as well as the history of wages that has established your claim.

• Appointment with your local CareerSource office
You may be selected and scheduled for a mandatory appointment with your local CareerSource office. It will provide one-on-one services to help create a reemployment plan. Your appointment notice will be mailed to you, so please ensure your address in both

CONNECT and Employ Florida are up-to-date. Failure to participate in your scheduled appointment will result in a review of your eligibility and potentially delay or deny your benefits.

CareerSource SWFL centers will reopen starting June 1st by appointment following strict CDC guidelines. More details and how to request an appointment for individuals who need assistance can be found here: https://careersourcesouthwestflorida.com/covid-19-services/

What can people do if they are ineligible but have NOT received a determination?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/22/20): “These individuals will receive correspondence from the agency advising them of next steps.”

Why are people still asked for their work search requirements on the original site?

UPDATE FROM DEO (4/21/20): The work registration and work search requirements have been waived for individuals requesting benefits for the weeks of March 15, 2020 to June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021), due to COVID-19. You do not need to complete the work registration. If you answer “no” to the question asking if you looked for work when you are claiming your weeks, you will not be asked to complete a work search log. However, you will be asked some additional questions. Please be aware that your claim will not be affected if you answer no to this question during this timeframe. Governor DeSantis also suspended the bi-weekly reporting requirement which means you will not be required to log into CONNECT every two weeks to claim your weeks of reemployment assistance. Please continue to check CONNECT for any important updates to your account.

UPDATE FROM DEO (4/18/20): The work search requirement is waived for individuals requesting benefits for the weeks of March 15, 2020 to June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021). However, you must fulfill the work search requirements for any weeks prior to March 15, 2020.

When completing the request, you will be asked questions about your ability and availability to look for work and any work and earnings you had for the weeks in unemployment you are claiming. If you did not search for work due to the waiver in Emergency Order No. DEO 20-11, you may put “no” when asked if you looked for work that week. Then, proceed through to the next step in the request process. If you answered that you did not search for work, you will not be asked to complete a work search log. However, you will be asked additional questions that need to be answered to proceed to the next step in the request process. Example questions may include: why did you not search for work; did you not have transportation; did you not have child care; or were you out of the area? If you did search for work, you may be asked to complete a work search log.

What should people do if they applied on the original site 2-4 weeks ago but their status is still pending?

UPDATE FROM DEO (4/18/20): If you submitted an online application through CONNECT, you will receive confirmation in the CONNECT system that your application has been submitted. Once your application has been processed and your eligibility has been determined, you may receive benefits or you have the option to appeal your determination if it negatively impacts you.

Please login to the CONNECT system to check for any updates to your account, respond to any requests for additional. If you have questions or need assistance, contact DEO at 1-800-204-2418.

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/14/2020): “A determination on their eligibility has not been made but with the added help from state agencies, specifically the extra help from Department of Revenue, eligibility should be determined soon.”

For people who cannot get through to confirm their identities over the phone, can people fax or email their SS card and driver’s license to the DEO?

WHAT WE FOUND: Yes. According to the DEO website, you can submit documents verifying your identity to the department by email or fax. Please provide a signed copy of your Social Security card and a copy of your valid driver’s license or state ID. Please allow three business days for the documents to be reviewed and then contact the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity toll-free at (800)297-0586 to verify your information.

Email: IdentityRequest@deo.myflorida.com
Fax: (321)332-6608

What if people don’t agree with their Reemployment Assistance benefit determination?

WHAT WE FOUND: You have the option to request an appeal with our team within 20 calendar days after the distributed date of the determination. Visit FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19 to download a Notice of Appeals Form.

*Select one of the options below to submit your request for an appeal.

• • Online: through CONNECT
  • Email: RA.AppealsClerks@deo.myflorida.com
  • Mail: Office of Appeals P.O. Box 5250 Tallahassee, FL 32399-5250
  • Fax: 850-617-6504

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Backdating claims:

How long until all PUA claims are appropriately backdated (many people haven’t seen it happen automatically on CONNECT as you suggested)? How long until all requests to backdate state claims are fulfilled?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (7/1/20): “DEO is working to expedite these as quickly as possible. While we cannot give an exact date, DEO is committed to ensuring all eligible Floridians are paid the benefits they are owed.”

Can people who had trouble filing an RA claim AFTER April 9th get their claims backdated? Can every person who files a claim for RA benefits backdate their claim to when they lost their job?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/29/20): “Case law provides that claimants may have their claims backdated if they attempted to file their application on a specific date, and they were prevented from doing so because of an action by the Department. In this scenario, the claim will be backdated to the Sunday immediately preceding the date in which the claimant first attempted to file their claim. As you may know, the new Reemployment Assistance online application was implemented on April 8, 2020 and other system enhancements were made to CONNECT to improve the application process, which eliminated the need to have state Reemployment Assistance claims backdated. Rule 73B-11.013(8), Florida Administrative Code, states that the claim effective will be the Sunday immediately preceding the filing date with three exceptions. If an individual had an issue filing their state Reemployment Assistance claim after April 9, they need to call the Customer Service Center to discuss.”

Is the option to backdate claims EXCLUSIVELY for people who attempted to apply and were not able to file a claim ONLY between the weeks of March 9, 2020 to April 9, 2020?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/29/20): “The online option to modify the claim effective date is only for dates between March 9 and April 9.”

On June 2, you told WINK News “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims will automatically become retroactive in CONNECT and a claimant should not need to take further action.” – Is this still correct?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/29/20): “Yes, A PUA claim is backdated to the first week during the Pandemic Assistance Period that the individual was unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work because of a COVID-19.”

Are Reemployment Assistance benefits retroactive to the day the individual lost their job? Are PUA or FPUC benefits going to be applied retroactively?

Previously, DEO had an online form to request a backdate. That option is no longer available as of July 6. The request to modify the date of your claim must be made by calling the Reemployment Assistance Customer Service center at 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759 and choose option 5).

DEO UPDATE (6/23/20): “You may be eligible to modify the date of your claim to the date you originally attempted to apply for [state] Reemployment Assistance only if you were unable to file a claim between the weeks of March 9, 2020 to April 9, 2020.”

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/08/20): “The effective date of PUA claims are made retroactive in the CONNECT system.”

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/01/20): “For PUA benefits, a claimant may be able to claim back to February 2 or the date that they lost employment, whichever is later. FPUC payments [for $600] will be paid for eligible weeks beginning March 29, 2020 through the week ending July 31, 2020.”

How long does it take to correct an effective claim date after the request is submitted on the online form?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/22/20): “It takes approximately two weeks.”

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Missing payments:

What do people do if they’re missing state, PUA or FPUC payments from weeks they didn’t have to claim (before May 10, 2020)?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (7/1/20): “These are handled on a case by case basis. If you have claimant IDs you can provide for missing FPUC payments we would be happy to take a look.”

If you are a WINK News viewer who’s missing payments from DEO, fill out this form.

I still have dozens and dozens of people reaching out to me saying they are missing payments for 3 or more weeks, especially FPUC payments. They are claiming their weeks, they have verified their accounts are correct and if they aren’t, they call and can’t get any help over the phone. What is the delay? How can claimants hold the DEO accountable for the payments they are missing?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (7/1/20): “These are handled on a case by case basis. If you have claimant IDs you can provide for missing FPUC payments we would be happy to take a look.”

If you are a WINK News viewer who’s missing payments from DEO, fill out this form.

If someone returns to work and is no longer collecting unemployment benefits or claiming weeks, what should they do if they are missing previous payments?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/24/20): “Claimants should be sure to claim the weeks they are missing in CONNECT. Here is a step-by-step guide on claiming your weeks that may be helpful to share with your viewers. If the weeks they have not been paid for are not available, they should call the Customer Service Center (1-833-FL-APPLY) and select Option 5.

Lots of people are also asking about how to answer the work search questions. People still think this is preventing them from getting paid. How should claimants be answering these questions if they are still unemployed, did not search for work (because they aren’t required to), and are capable and willing to work?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/24/20): “The work search requirement is waived through June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021), including for PUA applicants. They will still need to certify that they are able and available to work. Here is a step-by-step guide that may be helpful.

“It is important for claimants to log into their CONNECT account to claim their weeks. Benefits are paid after weeks are claimed. We have noticed in most cases, individuals who are not getting paid have not claimed their weeks, or they claimed their weeks late, which can lead to a delay in payment. The Department cannot pay an individual if they do not claim their weeks, because we do not know if they have returned back to work.”

Have the “technology concerns” that have been impacting FPUC payments been fixed?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/24/20): “Yes, the technology concerns have been addressed. Your viewers who still haven’t received payment for their waiting week should keep the following in mind:

“The waiving of the waiting week is only applicable to claims filed on March 29, 2020 through June 26, 2021. If a claimant filed, or had their claim backdated, prior to March 29, 2020 they would not receive a payment for their waiting week. Additionally, a claim must be processed before the waiting week can be paid to determine if the claimant is eligible for those benefits. Claimants also have to claim their first two weeks of benefits before the waiting week can be paid.

“If a viewer has not received their $600 FPUC payment, they should do the following:

“Be sure they have claimed the weeks they are missing payments for. If the weeks they are missing are no longer available in CONNECT, they will need to call the Customer Service Center and ask to have their weeks made available for requesting.
If the claimant does not have direct deposit, they should ensure their mailing address is correct in CONNECT. At this time, if a claimant does not have direct deposit, they will receive their FPUC payment via check. Click here for a short video and here for step-by-step guide on how claimants on to change their payment option.

“As a reminder, the FPUC payment is only paid for weeks beginning March 29. Any weeks claimed prior to March 29, are not eligible for the FPUC payment.

“As we have mentioned before, we are really starting to get into claimant specific issues. If someone has checked all of these options and still has a problem, they should call the Customer Service Center and select the “Claim Specific” option.”

How long before people get the missing FPUC payments they are owed?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/24/20): “Claimants should be sure to claim the weeks they are missing in CONNECT, then they should begin to receive payment.”

Why are call-takers telling claimants that the DEO doesn’t handle FPUC payments?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/17/20): “The department continues to provide education to customer service representatives. DEO does distribute FPUC payments.”

I’ve heard from hundreds of people who are missing state, PUA, and FPUC payments, some dating back all the way to March. What can people do if they are missing payments?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/17/20): “These are on a case-by-case basis and individuals are encouraged to call the Customer Service Center at 1-833-FL-APPLY and choose the “Claim Specific” option. Even as people are missing payment, we encourage them to double-check that their information is correct in CONNECT and that they continue to claim their weeks.”

Why aren’t people receiving their $600 payments? Some say it’s been 3 weeks (which means it’s not biweekly). What is the delay?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/10/20): “After reviewing several claimant IDs, the Department has identified two technology concerns that may have prevented an individual from receiving their Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payment over the last few weeks.

• Individuals who requested that their claims be backdated were not included in recent payment files for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments. We are working diligently to ensure these claimants are made whole as quickly as possible. At this time, claimants do not need to do anything but should continue to request benefits as long as they are unemployed or partially unemployed. The department anticipates having the issue resolved quickly and being able to provide these payments to eligible claimants.
• Additionally, the department has identified that some claimants were not paid their Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payment for their waiting week. The department has identified these individuals and should have them paid their $600 federal payment within 5 business days.”

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/08/20): “Reemployment Assistance is paid on a biweekly basis. In an effort to get Floridians paid as quickly as possible, DEO has pushed out payment as quickly as possible and many claimants have received benefit payments weekly and at different times. Moving forward and in an effort to streamline payments for Floridians, DEO is transitioning benefit payments back to a biweekly schedule. It is important for claimants to log into their CONNECT account to claim their weeks. Benefits are paid after weeks are claimed. Claimants will begin to notice that benefits will be scheduled biweekly as weeks are claimed for benefit payments.

“We really appreciate the support of the press in reminding individuals to claim their weeks. We have noticed in most cases, individuals who are not getting paid have not claimed their weeks, or they claimed their weeks late, which can lead to a delay in payment. The department cannot pay an individual if they do not claim their weeks, because we do not know if they have returned back to work. Here is a step-by-step guide to share with your viewers.”

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Troubleshooting:

Many, many people are still having issues getting answers from DEO phone representatives. More often than not the phone line is too busy and they aren’t given a call back option. When they do reach an agent, they tell the claimant they can’t help them. What is the DEO doing to remedy this right now?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (7/1/20): “Individuals who call the Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center should select the option that best suits their needs, as the person who answers the phone will be trained in the option they selected. We recommend calling later in the day when wait times are shorter.”

Why, when claimants’ payments are exhausted and they get the link to apply for PEUC, is CONNECT telling them the next time they can claim weeks is in January?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/25/20): “We have verified that claimants who are seeing this message are currently enrolled in the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. These individuals are still able to claim their current weeks and this message is not impacting payment to claimants. The Department is working on a solution to ensure the message is removed to eliminate any confusion.”

Why, when claimants’ payments are exhausted and they get the link to apply for PEUC, is CONNECT telling them the next time they can claim weeks is in January?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/25/20): “We have verified that claimants who are seeing this message are currently enrolled in the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. These individuals are still able to claim their current weeks and this message is not impacting payment to claimants. The Department is working on a solution to ensure the message is removed to eliminate any confusion.”

People are still having trouble verifying their identity, they have submitted the necessary documents and cannot reach anyone over the phone for help. What can they do? What can people do if they’ve been locked out of their accounts and cannot reach anyone over the phone for help?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/17/20): “Recently, DEO, in partnership with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, launched a website to verify the identity of claimants who have been locked out of their CONNECT account, the online system for processing Reemployment Assistance claims. This identity verification service is quick, secure and available 24-hours a day. Individuals who were locked out of their CONNECT account have been notified and provided a direct link to verify their information, so they can access their account and have their Reemployment Assistance claims processed. If they did not receive a link, they will need to call the Customer Service Center at 1-833-FL-APPLY.”

What do people do if their weeks are being denied for failure to meet work search requirements? Why is this still happening?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/08/20): “If you have specific claimant IDs you would like to send we can check into this, but as we have mentioned, the work search and work registration notifications will not prevent anyone from collecting their monetary determinations. While the notifications will still pop up, this will not affect benefits being paid out. We have not seen any examples where this has caused someone to not receive payment. Here is the step-by-step guide.”

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/11/20): “If someone is having a specific question with their claim, they should call the Call Center at 1-833-FL-APPLY and choose the “Claim Specific” option. Additionally, we would love for you to share this step by step guide with your readers.”

If individuals haven’t been able to claim their weeks because they can’t log-on to CONNECT. Will they lose their benefits for that week?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/08/20): “If you miss the deadline shown in CONNECT to claim your weeks/request benefits for Reemployment Assistance, you still have the opportunity to claim your weeks. You should be aware if you are late claiming your weeks that it could lead to a delay in payment. DEO encourages you to log-into CONNECT and check your account regularly and take action when prompted. If you were late to claim weeks, you can contact the Customer Service Center at 1-833-FL-APPLY and a representative will be able to assist you.”

Why are people who are choosing the “claim-specific” option being directed to call center employees who can only answer general questions?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (6/08/20): “Individuals who call the Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center should select the option that best suits their needs, as the person who answers the phone will be trained in the option they selected. For claim specific questions, individuals should select “claim specific.” You may have seen in our press releases that sometimes on weekends, CONNECT is processing claims and unavailable to existing claimants. During this time, individuals who have general questions that are not claim specific can call 1-833 FL APPLY (1-833-352-7759) 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.”

What should people do if they still can’t get their identities confirmed (and they’ve already tried calling, faxing and emailing their information)?

UPDATE FROM DEO (5/27/20): DEO, in partnership with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, launched a website to verify the identity of claimants who have been locked out of their CONNECT account, the online system for processing Reemployment Assistance claims.

Individuals who were locked out of their CONNECT account have been notified and provided a direct link to verify their information so they can access their account and have their Reemployment Assistance claims processed.

UPDATE FROM DEO (4/18/20): At this time, we do not need additional documentation to verify the identity as long as the application is fully complete and submitted. If any additional information is needed, a DEO associate will reach out to the individual.

If an applicant made an error on an application unbeknownst to them, how does the DEO reach out to them and within what time frame?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/22/20): “The agency is currently reviewing pending applications to see what we issues we can solve. Our recommendation to your viewers who may be concerned is to log-in to CONNECT and review their application for completion. We also recommend they view their Inbox to determine if we are waiting on them for information. We have created a video to help claimants understand how to navigate their inbox. If a claimant has found an error in their application, they should call the Customer Service Center at 1-833-FL APPLY and they should select ‘Agency Assist.'”

What can people do if they applied, were deemed ineligible, but have no option or link on their account to apply for PUA? Why are some accounts unable to access the PUA link?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/22/20): “The link for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) should be available approximately 72 hours after an individual has been deemed ineligible for Reemployment Assistance. If an individual has not been invited to apply for PUA, but believes they may be eligible and it has been more than 72 hours since they were deemed ineligible for Reemployment Assistance we encourage them to call the Customer Service Center at 1-833-FL APPLY and they should select ‘Claim Specific.'”

Sec. Satter said the DEO has to call thousands of people to manually correct errors on their accounts. If someone has unresolved issues with their account, do you recommend they call, or wait to be called by the DEO?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/11/20): “We would recommend they call 1-833-FL-APPLY and choose the “Claim Specific” option.”

If people are unable to access the CONNECT website to claim their benefits because it keeps crashing, and they miss their deadline, will they get an extension?

UPDATE FROM DEO (4/18/20): “If you were unable to claim your weeks because you could not log-on to CONNECT, you will not lose your benefits for that week.

“At the end of your application, it will tell you what dates you need to come back into CONNECT and claim your weeks. Also, your inbox will have a message telling you what dates you need to come back into CONNECT to claim your weeks, and you will see an option that says, “Request Benefit Payment.” You need to log into CONNECT every two weeks.”

WHAT WE FOUND: The following is from the DEO’s resource guide, updated September 4.

I cannot log on to CONNECT, how does this impact my benefits?

Your benefits will not be impacted.

I haven’t been able to claim my weeks because I can’t log-on to CONNECT. Will I lose my benefits for that week?

No. If you were unable to claim your weeks because you could not log-on to CONNECT, you will not lose your benefits for that week.

How do I know when to file my weeks? What should I do if I cannot log-on to file my weeks? I missed my deadline to file a claim because CONNECT was down. What should I do?

At the end of your application, it will tell you what dates you need to log-on to CONNECT and claim your weeks. You are scheduled to return to the CONNECT system every two weeks to request your benefits. Completing this process submits your request for payment during your weeks of unemployment, even when your claim is pending for review. It is important that you request your benefits within 7 days of your scheduled date regardless of your claim status.

I used to have notices in my Inbox. Why don’t I see anything in my Inbox?

After you review an item in your inbox, it is hidden to make room for new notifications. You can use the search functions in the Inbox to pull up previously viewed correspondence. If you want all items displayed, select the “Search” button with no search information entered. All correspondence will show in your inbox.

I am having trouble opening items in my CONNECT inbox. How can I access these documents?

Please verify the following as these are common issues surrounding opening correspondence:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader is installed and up-to-date
• You are using a computer, not a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet
• Make sure you are using a compatible browser
•  Disable any pop-up blockers that may prevent PDF documents from opening

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Overall eligibility:

WHAT WE FOUND: The following is from the DEO’s resource guide, updated September 4. For more specific eligibility questions, see the DEO’s resource guide.

• You must have lost your job through no fault of your own, so you must not have quit for personal reasons or been terminated for misconduct;
• You must be totally or partially unemployed;
• You must have a minimum amount of wages earned in what is called the “base period,” which is the first 12 months of the past 15 months from when you filed your claim;
• At the time you apply, you must be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work, unless otherwise exempt from this requirement. This includes being physically able to perform a job and having child care if necessary.

You may be unable to receive benefits for the following reasons:

• You voluntarily left work without good cause.
• You were discharged for misconduct connected with work.
• You were discharged for a dishonest act.
• You refused to accept a suitable offer of work.
• You received or will receive wages instead of a notice of termination.
• You received or will receive Workers’ Compensation.
• You are unemployed because of a labor dispute.
• You are on a voluntary leave of absence.
• You are unemployed because you were suspended.
• You are receiving unemployment benefits from another state.
• You made a false or fraudulent misrepresentation to obtain benefits.
• You are receiving income, such as retirement pay or severance pay.
• You are not monetary eligible (i.e. you do not have enough wages in the base period).
You must:
– Have been paid wages in two or more calendar quarters in the base period;
– Have a total base period wages of at least 1 ½ times the wages in the quarter having the highest earnings; and
– Have at least $3,400 total wages in the base period. The base period for your claim is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your benefit claim begins.

Your continued eligibility may be impacted if:

• You are still working or you are partially unemployed and earning more than $275 per week.
• You are not able and available to work if a job became available.
• You have failed to register with the online work registration system (Employ Florida).
In order to better serve you, Governor DeSantis waived this requirement. Effective March 15, 2020 until June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021).
• You have failed to make the required work search requirements.
In order to better serve you, Governor DeSantis waived this requirement. Effective March 15, 2020 until June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021).
• You failed to attend a mandatory appointment for reemployment services. These
appointments are randomly chosen by CareerSource centers, not all individuals are selected to attend these services.
• You have been employed during the one week waiting period.
In order to better serve you, Governor DeSantis waived this requirement. Effective March 29, 2020 until June 26, 2021, which means you will be paid for the waiting week if you filed your application for Reemployment Assistance during this timeframe.

How will I know if I am eligible or ineligible?

If you are eligible, you will receive written determination stating your eligibility.

If you are not eligible, the written determination will explain the reason your claim was denied and will explain your appeal rights. If you disagree with a determination that denies benefits, you may request an appeal hearing.

* Be sure to check your CONNECT account for any updates. This includes your benefit payments and important notices regarding your account.

How do I know if I qualify for Reemployment benefits?

Please apply for Reemployment Assistance Benefits at FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19. When your application has been processed, we will notify you of your eligibility by providing a written determination electronically and/or by mail to explain your eligibility status.

• If you are eligible, you will receive payment for any weeks that you requested during the bi-weekly process. Please continue to check CONNECT for any important updates to your account.
• If you are not eligible, the written determination will explain the reason we denied your claim and will explain your appeal rights.
• If you disagree with a determination that denies benefits, you may request an appeal hearing.

When reviewing your claim, we will look to answer several questions that will impact your eligibility. Here are some examples:

• Ability and Availability Issues: In addition to reviewing why you lost your employment, we will look at whether you are able to work in another job. If you are not available to accept a job if one is offered, you will not qualify for benefits.

• Discharge: If you were fired from your job, we will look at the reasons why. Your employer must show that it had just cause to let you go, such as misconduct on the job or that you didn’t try to do your duties successfully even though the employer tried to help you.

• Voluntary Quit: If you voluntarily quit your job, you must show that you quit your job for good cause.

• There are other factors that may impact your eligibility that we will ask you about. The most important thing for you to do is to answer all questions as accurately as possible. Always know that you can ask us questions at any time during the process by calling 1-800-204-2418.

State Reemployment Assistance Eligibility

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/28/20): “Many of your viewers have had questions regarding state reemployment assistance eligibility, there are numerous reasons someone could be deemed ineligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits, including wage base period issues, lack of wage history, multiple claims in one year, separation circumstances, incomplete applications, among others. Each person deemed ineligible for state Reemployment Assistance receives a notification regarding their eligibility.”

How to Apply

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/14/2020): “There are multiple ways to submit an application for Reemployment Assistance.

1. New applicants can complete an application online at FloridaJobs.org/RAApplication.
2. Complete a paper application by following the steps online at FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19. Then mail your application to: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity P.O. Box 5350 Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350
3. Visit your local CareerSource center for assistance in filing your claim. CareerSource can offer assistance with online and paper applications. Please visit CareerSourceFlorida.com to find a location near you. We recommend calling to confirm your local center’s hours of operation.
4.  FedEx Office stores are also offering Floridians the option to print and mail applications in storefronts located throughout the state free of charge. Please visit FedEx.com for a location near you. You can also complete an application online at FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19.”

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The CARES Act additional benefits:

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 provides Reemployment Assistance benefits for the self-employed, independent contractors, certain nonprofit employees, gig economy workers, those who have exhausted other unemployment insurance benefits, and those who may not have sufficient work history to qualify for regular state Reemployment Assistance benefits.

The CARES Act also includes Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) for those receiving any amount of Reemployment Assistance benefits. This will include an additional $600 weekly benefit for individuals that are eligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). FPUC applies to weeks beginning March 29, 2020 and ends July 31, 2020.

For information on eligibility and how to apply for PUA through the Florida CONNECT system: http://www.floridajobs.org/cares-act

For a detailed explanation on how to navigate the CONNECT website to apply for PUA click HERE for a guide.

CARES Act Update – The following is from the DEO’s resource guide, updated September 4. For more specific eligibility questions, see the DEO’s resource guide.

UPDATE FROM DEO (5/9/2020):

Eligibility –

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, expands Reemployment Assistance benefits. Benefits will be paid from the date they became eligible under the CARES Act. At this time, individuals who apply for Reemployment Assistance whose employment was negatively impacted as a result of COVID-19 will follow the same application, review and payment process as all applicants for Reemployment Assistance in Florida.

Programs included in the CARES Act are:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – provides up to $275 in weekly benefits to those not ordinarily eligible for Reemployment Assistance, in addition to the FPUC funding. This includes individuals who are self-employed or contract employees. For those eligible, this benefit is available for weeks claimed from February 2, 2020 – September 6, 2020.
  * This funding is subject to federal withholding taxes.

PUA Eligibility: You may be eligible if your employment has been either lost or interrupted as a direct result of COVID-19, one or more of the following occurred: you became unemployed, you were scheduled to begin work but no longer have a job or you became the primary breadwinner due to the death of the head of household, and if you would not ordinarily be eligible for state Reemployment Assistance. This includes individuals who are gig workers, self-employed or contract employees.

• • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) – allows for an additional 13 weeks of benefits added to the end of state Reemployment Assistance benefits, in addition to the FPUC funding. This means claimants may collect unemployment benefits for a longer period of time than under normal circumstances. PEUC will provide individuals with up to $275 in weekly benefits.

DEO will gather your employment information and determine whether you qualify. When the department receives information regarding your claim, the following will happen:

• Your claim will be referred to a Reemployment Assistance representative to determine
eligibility.
• You may be contacted for additional information by telephone, email or mail.
• A separate determination will be made for each job separation that may affect your claim.
• Other determinations may be made for each eligibility requirement that may affect your claim.

* This funding is subject to federal withholding taxes.

You may be ineligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) if:

• Your unemployment is not a direct result of COVID-19.
• You are eligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits or extended benefits under state
or Federal law or pandemic emergency unemployment compensation (PEUC).
• You have the ability to telework and receive wages.
• You are receiving paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits.
• You are not able and available for work.
• You are no longer unemployed.
• You are receiving wages that are more than $275 per week.
• You commit fraud in order to obtain PUA benefits.

Do I need to submit an additional application to receive the additional $600 (FPUC) per week on my unemployment claim?

No, if you have filed a new Reemployment Assistance benefits claim and it is being processed; or you have an existing RA claim, there is nothing you need to do to receive the additional benefits. DEO began paying the $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits the week of April 13, 2020. If you are eligible for Reemployment Assistance Benefits and have previously provided a bank account in the CONNECT system, you will receive a direct deposit to your account. If you did not provide your bank account, you will receive a check to the mailing address provided on your account.

Who is eligible for PEUC?

WHAT WE FOUND: The Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program is provided through the federal CARES Act and administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity. This program 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 have to apply. Through PEUC, Floridians may be eligible for up to $275, in addition to the $600 through Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), in weekly benefits. The additional $600 through FPUC applies only to weeks of unemployment beginning March 29, 2020 and ends with the week ending July 25, 2020.

All claimants participating in PEUC will still be required to claim weeks on a biweekly basis, certifying that they remain unemployed and are able and available for work during the weeks they are receiving PEUC. The first week a claimant can be eligible for this benefit is the week beginning March 29, 2020, and the last payable week is the week ending December 26, 2020. More info at floridajobs.org/cares-act.

Is it true that through the CARES Act, recipients of PUA should receive the federal $600 weekly plus at least half the state’s amount in benefits?

Response from Rep. Dane Eagle and Rep. Michael Grant (4/23/20): “Yes, PUA benefits are calculated the same way as they are for the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance program under the Stafford Act, which is the model for the PUA program. PUA will have a minimum benefit that is equal to one-half the state’s average weekly UI benefit.”

Rep. Dane Eagle’s and Rep. Michael Grant’s offices provided this breakdown of the CARES Act bill.

What will the new CARES Act provide for Reemployment Assistance?

UPDATE FROM DEO (4/21/2020): “For weeks claimed beginning March 29, 2020, the CARES Act provides eligible individuals with $600 per week in addition to the weekly benefit amount determined under state law.”

What guidance has the state received on implementing the CARES Act?

WHAT WE FOUND: The U.S. Department of Labor announced on April 2 new CARES Act guidance on unemployment insurance for states in response to COVID-19. You can read that guidance here.

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Independent contractors/gig workers/self-employed people:

For information on the PUA process under the CARES Act click HERE.

For information on eligibility and how to apply for PUA through the Florida CONNECT system click HERE.

WHAT WE FOUND: The following is from the DEO’s resource guide, updated September 4. For more specific eligibility questions, see the DEO’s resource guide.

If I am self-employed, do I need to file a claim online for Reemployment Assistance?

Yes, you will first need to file a claim online at FloridaJobs.org/RAApplication to see if you are eligible for a regular claim. After you have submitted your claim, continue to check your CONNECT account for updates on what additional information is needed.

Am I eligible for benefits if I am an independent contractor?

Yes, under the CARES Act, individuals who are self-employed, independent contractors and those that are otherwise ineligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits and those that have exhausted state and federal benefits may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

However, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance eligibility does not include individuals who have the ability to telework and receive pay or individuals who are receiving paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits.

In normal circumstances, individuals whose income is only from self-employment or work as an independent contractor are not normally eligible for Reemployment Assistance benefits. However, if an independent contractor or self-employed individual also received wages through services performed as an employee (i.e., they had another job with an employer) during the base period (first 12 months of the past 15 months), he or she may be eligible for Reemployment Assistance benefits.

Where do gig workers apply?

Gig workers will apply just like any other individual would apply for Reemployment Assistance benefits. They will fill out the regular Reemployment Assistance application to determine if they’re eligible for regular Reemployment Assistance benefits, and if they’re not, they will be directed to fill out a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance application.

For information on the PUA process under the CARES Act click HERE.

For information on eligibility and how to apply for PUA through the Florida CONNECT system click HERE.

I was denied through CONNECT, but I am eligible through the federal government.

The Department will provide notification to individuals about their potential eligibility for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) or Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation. If you are eligible for PEUC, you will have to fill out an application. For Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), CONNECT will prompt you to fill out a PUA application.

For information on the PUA process under the CARES Act click HERE.

For information on eligibility and how to apply for PUA through the Florida CONNECT system click HERE.

1099 employees are still telling me they are unable to apply for PUA or have not gotten any response to the new application they submitted on CONNECT. Is the PUA application ready to accept them?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/11/20): Please see this step by step guide for applying for PUA. In addition, claimants can watch a tutorial video here.

Is the state considering making independent contractors eligible for unemployment benefits permanently (not just under the current federal executive order)?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (5/11/20): The eligibility is determined by state and federal law.

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The waiting week and work search requirements:

WHAT WE FOUND: The following is from the DEO’s new FAQ page, updated September 4.

I heard work registration requirement is waived, what does that mean?

Governor DeSantis has waived the work registration requirement for individuals filing an application for benefits from March 15, 2020 until June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021). If you file an application during this time period, you will not be required to complete the work registration in Employ Florida. You do not have to complete the registration if your application is filed between March 15, 2020 and June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021). You may be prompted to register in Employ Florida or may receive a message on the Reemployment Assistance system, however you do not have to register. If you completed your application prior to March 15, 2020, you must complete the online work registration.

I heard work search requirements were waived, what does this mean?

Governor DeSantis has waived the work search requirement for individuals filing an application for benefits from March 15, 2020 until June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021). When completing the application, you will be asked questions about your ability and availability to look for work for the weeks of unemployment you are claiming. If you did not search for work due to the waiver, you may select “no” when asked if you looked for work that week. After selecting no, proceed through the next steps in the process. If you answered that you did not search for work, you will not be asked to complete a work search log. However, you will be asked additional questions that need to be answered to proceed to the next step in the process. Example questions may include: why did you not search for work; did you not have transportation; did you not have child care; or were you out of the area? If you did search for work, you may be asked to complete a work search log.

What is a valid work search contact and what information do you need?

You are required to provide the following details for each job contact:
▪ Date of contact
▪ Method of contact (in person, online, fax, phone, etc.)
▪ Business name including telephone number & complete address, website URL or an e-mail ▪ Results of your search
▪ Type of work sought

How many work search contacts do I need to provide to the department per benefit week?

Prior to COVID-19, you are required to provide five work search contacts per week. The following are exceptions and exemptions:

• If you reside in a low-population county, you are required to submit three contacts weekly
• If you are a union member, you are required to remain in good standing and maintain regular contact with your Union.
• If you are on a temporary layoff and will return to the same employer within 8 weeks, you are exempt from work search requirements.
• If you are a part of an approved training program, you are exempt from work search
requirements.
• If you qualify for one of these exemptions and still receive a request for full work search
information, please contact us at 1-800-204-2418 for assistance.

I heard the waiting week for Reemployment Assistance has been waived, what does this mean?

Governor DeSantis waived the requirement to wait a week to receive Reemployment Assistance benefits beginning March 29, 2020 through June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021). The waiting week has been waived so eligible Floridians may receive the support they need to help recover from the current economic impacts of COVID-19. Previously, after your claim was filed and accepted, the state of Florida required a “waiting week” during which no benefits could be paid.

Governor DeSantis waived the waiting week, why haven’t I gotten paid?

Due to the “waiting week” being waived, Floridians will be eligible for benefits for the first week of unemployment, in which they would not have previously been eligible. Your claim must be processed before the waiting week can be paid to determine if you are eligible for those benefits. You will also have to claim your first two weeks of benefits before the waiting week can be paid. This requirement is waived for the period of March 29, 2020- June 26, 2021 (previously April 24, 2021).

I heard week certification requirements “claiming weeks” is waived, what does that mean?

DEO UPDATE (5/9/20): In order to better serve you, Governor DeSantis suspended the bi-weekly reporting requirement until May 9, 2020. However, to comply with federal law, weeks beginning May 10, 2020, claimants will be required to return to the CONNECT system every two weeks to request their benefits or “claim their weeks.” In doing so, claimants will confirm that they are still unemployed and acknowledge that they are able and available for work should it be offered.

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Paper applications:

How many paper applications are still waiting to be processed? 

RESPONSE FROM DEO (7/1/20): “As of yesterday, June 30, there were approximately 300 new paper applications outstanding. DEO processes paper applications as they are received. DEO has currently processed 258,095 complete and non-duplicated paper applications. This number is updated daily and can be found on the Reemployment Assistance Claims Dashboard. If the claimant didn’t supply an email address, they were mailed a letter with their temporary PIN for the CONNECT system.”

I am hearing from people who only applied by mailed-in paper application who have not received any correspondence from DEO (one since early April 2020). What can they do? 

RESPONSE FROM DEO (7/1/20): “Individuals who sent paper applications or applied through the mobile-friendly site should have received an email from the department with next steps including a temporary pin. These emails were sent from donotreplyreemploymentassistance@deo.myflorida.com. If someone did not receive this email, they can view this guide here for resetting their PIN in CONNECT. We’ve noticed some people have not opened the email that was originally sent from the department, so may not have received this information.

“We also received some paper applications that did not have enough information to be transferred into CONNECT (an example would be a name that did not match the social security number with no contact information).  Please remind your viewers that it is extremely important to fill out applications completely and accurately. Claimants should double check that all information is complete and accurate before submitting. Additionally, here is a video with more information on how to apply for Reemployment Assistance.

“Individuals can file a new claim 24 hours a day, seven days per week at FloridaJobs.org and select “File a Claim.” Once an application is uploaded into CONNECT, the claimant will receive an email from donotreplyreemploymentassistance@deo.myflorida.com with a temporary PIN to log into CONNECT. If they do not have an email on file, they will receive a mailed letter.”

Are paper applications only for new applicants?

WHAT WE FOUND: Yes. According to CareerSource, the paper application is only for individuals who have never filed for unemployment before. Floridians who do not have a current open Reemployment Assistance claim can also use the new, mobile-friendly website: floridajobs.com/raapplication

CareerSource cannot answer any questions about filing or pending applications, but they do have staff available to help applicants reset their PINs. Assistance resetting your PIN is available by filling out this form or calling 1-800-557-3242. You can also call the CareerSource center closest to you.

How much longer will a paper application take to process versus applying online?

UPDATE FROM DEO (4/18/2020): “If you submitted a paper application, you will receive a phone call, email or letter after your application has been processed. Based on your eligibility, you may receive benefits or you have the option to appeal your determination if it negatively impacts you.”

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/10/2020): “After an individual files a claim in our new online application or submits a paper application, DEO will process their claim for Reemployment Assistance. If further information is needed, the agency will contact the claimant.”

Click here to download a paper application. Certain FedEx Office store locations are offering free printing and shipping for unemployment applications. Click here to find a location.

FedEx says “Anyone needing to file for unemployment in the state of Florida can come into one of our more than 120 FedEx Office Print and Ship stores in Florida, pick up a copy of the application and complete it. Preprinted Re-employment Assistance Application Forms are available in English, Spanish and Creole. FedEx Office will ship all completed applications to the state each day, also free of charge.”

The DEO website says: “Please note that paper applications could potentially take longer to process than completing an online application.”

Is it an issue if claimants completed an application on the new website but already sent out a paper, mail-in application? Will multiple applications like this be flagged as fraud or ID theft?

WHAT WE FOUND: On May 19, 2020, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference with the DEO: “Anytime you have multiple claims for the same person, there’s going to be a fraud alert on that.”

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Receiving payment:

WHAT WE FOUND: The following is from the DEO’s resource guide, updated September 4.

How will I receive the benefits once my Reemployment Assistance application has been processed?

Floridians have two options for receiving benefits. You have the option to select how you receive benefits during the application process.

1- Direct Deposit- This process may take 1-2 business days to reflect in your bank account after your application has been processed. Please note, due to the high volume of requests, this process may take longer than usual, or
2- Way2Go Debit Card- Debit cards are mailed after the first payment is processed and may take 7-10 business days to receive by mail. Please note, due to the high volume of requests, this process may take longer than usual.

When will I receive my debit card?

The Way2Go debit card will be issued by mail after the first payment on your claim is made via debit card. If you have previously been issued a debit card, it is valid for three years from the initial issue date. Your previous card will receive any payments on your current claim. If you have lost your previous debit card and/or have not received your debit card 10 business days after your first debit payment, please contact our card provider, Conduent, at:
U.S.: 1-833-888-2780
International: 1-210-334-6615 (This includes Puerto Rico. This line is not toll-free)

How do I change how I get paid? I want to get direct deposit versus debit card.

You can log into CONNECT and change this information yourself under the “View and Maintain Account Information.”

Why can’t I enter my banking information on CONNECT?

There are several reasons your banking information may be rejected:
• The information you entered is incorrect.
• The interface to verify the information is currently down.
• Your bank is not approved for direct deposit.
• You are attempting to use a prepaid card for direct deposit purposes.
• Not every financial institution is accepted; your bank may not be eligible for direct deposit.
Please select debit card if you have no other financial institution.

What is the timeline from when someone successfully files to the time they actually receive their benefits? How long should it take to see the money?

RESPONSE FROM DEO (4/18/20): “Prior to the COVID-19 epidemic, it took three to four weeks (assuming there were no issues with the claim) to process a claim. We do not have an exact timeframe of when individuals will get paid. However, we are working diligently to process claims as quickly as possible.”

Why are some people receiving one or two weeks of payments and then nothing since? When can people expect to see regular weekly payment?

UPDATE FROM DEO (5/7/20):”DEO is committed to ensuring all Floridians receive the benefits they are owed.  We have done everything we can to get payments out as quickly as possible, and some individuals received their state and federal benefits on different days. Over the next few weeks, individuals should begin to see their benefits coming together.”

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If you still have questions about completing the Reemployment Assistance Application:

UPDATE FROM DEO (4/18/20): “You have multiple options if you need assistance or have questions about completing your Reemployment Assistance Application.

1- Virtual assistance is available here: (https://visualivr.connect.myflorida.com/fish- messaging/go/Q5uZriw-)
2- Complete the Reemployment Assistance Contact Form Found here: (racontactus.floridajobs.org)
3- Contact the Reemployment Assistance operator at 1-800-204-2418.
4- Your local CareerSource center for assistance and questions about completing your
application. Please visit CareerSourceFlorida.com to find website and contact information for your local career center. We recommend you call your CareerSource center to check their hours of operation.”

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The DEO says individuals should visit FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19 for frequently asked questions and helpful information for individuals and businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19.