How to Apply For Unemployment Benefits in Florida

Edited by Hannah Locklear

The Federal government works with the state of Florida to assist workers who are unemployed for reasons beyond their control.

The Florida Reemployment Assistance (Insurance) Program helps residents care for their financial needs until they find work. The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is responsible for this program.

It is a temporary arrangement lasting up to 12 weeks. But it does offer aid to struggling individuals and families by providing a continuation of some income while they search for other employment.

Florida, like all other states, has a standard application procedure. Below, we’ll take you through the qualifications and requirements and show you how and where to submit and follow up on your Unemployed Insurance (UI) application.

Get debt relief in Florida.

Who is eligible for unemployment benefits in Florida?

According to the official website for the Florida Reemployment Assistance (Insurance) Program, anyone wishing to apply for UI must:

• Have worked in Florida for (at least) the past 12 months.
• Be currently, wholly, or partially unemployed.
• Earn a specific minimum wage (as determined by Florida law) during the base period.
• Actively look for work while receiving benefits.
• Be able to work.

These are just the basic requirements. Every claimant must provide the necessary documentation and employment information to qualify.

What documents do I need to claim unemployment benefits in Florida?

Thankfully, the documents you need to prove your eligibility are straightforward. They are:

• Your personal information, such as name, date of birth, level of education, gender, and race.
• Your Social Security number.
• Your Florida ID and driver's license numbers.

Non-US citizens also need:

• Alien Registration number, or
• Work authorization form

Military employees need:

• Their Discharge from Active duty (DD-214)

Union members should provide the following:

• Union name
• Hall number
• Phone number

Federal employees must present the following:

• Their SF 8 or SF 50

In addition to these documents, all claimants must provide information on their last 18 months of employment. This includes the following:

• Employer names, addresses, and phone numbers.
• Dates of first and last day of work.
• Gross earnings (before taxes) during employment.
• Reason for job loss.
• Employer's Federal Employer ID Number (FEIN).
• Employer details on paystub if they don't have a FEIN number.

With your documents in hand, you are ready for the next step. You can begin the application process and submit some documents later. But it is best to get everything in one place for a smooth process.

How to apply for unemployment benefits in Florida

You should start applying for UI within a week of unemployment or partial layoff.

In Florida, you submit claims online. You need to create an account before submitting your application.

But you can call in to speak with someone if you are disabled, illiterate, or have difficulty understanding English. The agency's phone number is 800-681-8102.

The state has developed a mobile-friendly website that is accessible to most residents. It takes just up to an hour to complete the application. And you can save your progress and continue later if you are interrupted. Keep your pin and social security number handy whenever you log in.

Go to CONNECT, Florida's Unemployment Insurance system, to file a claim. Fill in your information and supply the information required at every step.

When you are sure you have sufficiently completed the claim application, click submit.

Below is an example of someone qualifying for unemployment benefits in Florida.

The lesson? You will never know if you may qualify unless you file a claim.

What should I do after applying for UI in Florida?

Now you need to wait for the department to review the information you sent and determine if you qualify.

As you wait, log into your account regularly to check your claim's status. See whether the agency has asked you for more information or documentation. If they have, provide these as soon as possible.

You also need to register with Florida's workforce agency (Employ Florida Marketplace). Remember, you need to be actively seeking employment to qualify for benefits.

If the DEO rejects your claims and you feel it is unfair, you can appeal the decision. You need to do so within 20 days of receiving the notice.

If your claim goes through and you are approved for benefits, you will receive payments a week after the approval. Keep in mind that these are not automatic payments. You must log in and request benefits each week. You must complete a short survey each time you request payment to determine if you still qualify for the payout.

How much can I receive each week on unemployment?

Florida's Unemployment Insurance offers one of the lowest weekly benefit amounts in the country. The state provides a minimum of $32 and a maximum of $275 each week. Though the maximum unemployment amount is small, every little bit can significantly help when you are out of work.

It is important to remember that unemployment benefits are intended to supplement only some of your lost income. Instead, it is meant to be a short-term solution to help keep you afloat while you find new employment.

If approved, you will receive a maximum of 12 weeks of benefits or $3,300 (whichever expires first) in a year in unemployment benefits. After that, the benefits stop. You may use up your yearly benefits at once or save a portion in case you fall into unemployment again during the year.

The benefits can also stop if you get a job. Remember that you can keep receiving the benefits if you find a part-time job that pays less than $275 a week.

Also, your benefits will stop if you fail to meet the continuing eligibility requirements.

The department lets you know when there are benefits extensions or changes in eligibility requirements.

Why you should apply for unemployment benefits

Although no one wants to apply for unemployment, it is a welcome solution for many. Knowing that you can afford groceries while looking for work gives you peace of mind. And you can better concentrate on your job hunting.

You may apply online if you are unemployed or furloughed and think you deserve unemployment benefits. It takes only a fraction of your day and can help you stay afloat until you can find your next job.

SoloSuit's goal is to provide all the information you need to stay financially healthy. Check out the blog for all things debt collection and lawsuits.

Check out this video to learn how to respond to a debt lawsuit in Florida:

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Here's a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

• Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
• Accredited Collection Services
• Alliance One
• Amcol Clmbia
• American Recovery Service
• Asset Acceptance LLC
• Asset Recovery Solutions
• Associated Credit Services
• Autovest LLC
• Cach LLC
• Cavalry SPV I LLC
• Cerastes LLC
• Colinfobur
• Covington Credit
• Crown Asset Management
• CTC Debt Collector
• Cypress Financial Recoveries
• Delanor Kemper & Associates
• Eagle Loan of Ohio
• Educap
• Estate Information Services
• FIA Card Services
• Forster & Garbus
• Freshview Solutions
• Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
• Harvest Credit Management
• Howard Lee Schiff
• Hudson & Keyse LLC
• Integras Capital Recovery LLC
• Javitch Block
• Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
• LVNV Funding
• Mannbracken
• Mariner Finance
• Medicredit
• Michael J Adams PC
• Michael J Scott
• Midland Funding LLC
• Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
• Mountain Land Collections
• MRS Associates
• National Collegiate Trust
• Nationstar Foreclosure
• Northstar Capital Acquisition
• NCEP LLC
• NRC Collection Agency
• OneMain Financial
• Palisades Collection LLC
• Pallida LLC
• Paragon Revenue Group
• Pinnacle Collections Agency
• PMAB LLC
• Portfolio Recovery Associates
• Provest Law
• PYOD LLC
• Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
• Revenue Group
• Regents and Associates
• RSIEH
• Salander Enterprises LLC
• Second Round Sub LLC
• Security Credit Services
• Sherman Financial Group
• Suttell and Hammer
• T-Mobile
• Transworld Systems
• Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
• UCB Collection
• Velo Law Office
• Velocity Investments
• Waypoint Resource Group
• Weinberg and Associates
• Wolpoff & Abramson

Win against credit card companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

• Bank of America
• Capital One
• Chase
• Credit One Bank
• PayPal Synchrony Card
• SYNCB/PPEXTR
• Synchrony Bank
• Target National Bank
• Wells Fargo

Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts

How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide

Get answers to these FAQs

Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.

Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?

How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?

What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?

Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?

SoloSuit FAQ

If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?

Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?

Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?

What is a default judgment?— What do I do?

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?

What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?

What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency

What is a Stipulated Judgment?

What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?

Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?

Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?

Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?

Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?

Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?

Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?

Do student loans go away after 7 years? — Student Loan Debt Guide

Am I Responsible for My Spouses Medical Debt?

Should I Marry Someone With Debt?

Can a Debt Collector Leave a Voicemail?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

What Happens If a Defendant Does Not Pay a Judgment?

How Does Debt Assignment Work?

Can You Serve Someone with a Collections Lawsuit at Their Work?

What Is a Warrant in Debt?

How Many Times Can a Judgment be Renewed in Oklahoma?

Can an Eviction Be Reversed?

Does Debt Consolidation Have Risks?

What Happens If You Avoid Getting Served Court Papers?

Does Student Debt Die With You?

Can Debt Collectors Call You at Work in Texas?

How Much Do You Have to Be in Debt to File for Chapter 7?

What Is the Statute of Limitations on Debt in Washington?

How Long Does a Judgment Last?

Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?

Can Debt Collectors Call From Local Numbers?

Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?

The Truth: Should You Never Pay a Debt Collection Agency?

Should You Communicate with a Debt Collector in Writing or by Telephone?

Do I Need a Debt Negotiator?

What Happens After a Motion for Default Is Filed?

Can a Process Server Leave a Summons Taped to My Door?

Learn More With These Additional Resources:

Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.

How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide

How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney

How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know

How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)

Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector

Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency

Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.

Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt

Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors

The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt

What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained

Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector

How to Liquidate Debt

Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt

Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim

Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector

How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment

How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont

North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt

ClearPoint Debt Management Review

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say

CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review

How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter

How to Appear in Court by Phone

How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands

Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement

Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do

How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection

Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa

How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court

Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review

How to Stop a Garnishment

Debt Eraser Review

Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?

Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?

How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?

How Long Does a Judgement Last?

​​How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?

How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court