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How To File For Unemployment In Tampa Florida

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Am I Eligible For Additional Benefits When My Regular Ra Claim Normally Would End

Florida launches new website to file for unemployment during coronavirus pandemic

The Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation provided up to 13 weeks of benefits to a claimant who has exhausted their Reemployment Assistance benefits.

Through PEUC, Floridians were eligible for up to $275, in addition to the $600 and then $300 through Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation in weekly benefits. HOWEVER, Florida ended federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits on September 6, 2021.

After the federal benefit programs expire on September 6, 2021, claimants will have 30 days to submit an application for PUA benefits for any weeks they are entitled. After this, there are no PUA benefits.

The Department will continue to pay eligible claimants the PUA and PEUC benefits they are owed for weeks of unemployment through the week ending September 4, 2021.

The state previously withdrew participation from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation programs effective June 30, 2021.

How To Apply For Florida Unemployment Benefits

In these doubtful times, being jobless is a fact of life that many people have to bear. In Florida, like the rest of the nation, many people have to file for jobless benefits for the first time in their lives. Fortunately for the recently unemployed of Florida, the process of filing for unemployment benefits is quite easy. However, you can look ahead to wait about 4 weeks until you collect your first check, so you will want to begin the process on your first day of unemployment.

This page has been created as a resource to help you in your filing for Florida unemployment compensation benefits. After reading the following, you will know if you meet the criteria for unemployment benefits, how to apply for benefits, as well as when to expect getting unemployment benefits.

What To Wait For After You File Your Unemployment Claim

About a week after applying, you will obtain a letter stating if you are eligible and, if so, how much you will collect weekly as your benefit. In case you do not qualify for benefits, the letter will clarify why and tell you what you must do if you wish to appeal the verdict.

Once you have qualified to collect benefits, you must claim your weekly benefits every 2 weeks. The initial letter you obtain will give you a date on which you must call or go online and answer a few questions about your continued eligibility. Failure to reclaim your benefits every two weeks will hold up the payment of benefits to you.

Moreover, in the state of Florida, the first week of unemployment is not considered eligible for unemployment benefits. As such, your first date to claim your weekly benefits will be 3weeks after you initially claimed unemployment benefits, and then the benefits paid out will only be for 2 weeks.

Also Check: Telephone Number For Unemployment Benefits

When To Hire A Lawyer

It is in your best interest to get legal help early on in addressing your situation. There are times when hiring a lawyer quickly is critical to your case, such as if you are charged with a crime. It may also be in your best interest to have a lawyer review the fine print before signing legal documents. A lawyer can also help you get the compensation you deserve if youve suffered a serious injury. For issues where money or property is at stake, having a lawyer guide you through the complexities of the legal system can save you time, hassle, and possibly a lot of grief in the long run.

Floridas Unemployment Benefits: We Answer Your Questions

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UPDATE: This page was updated on May 8 with several answers, including how you apply,what to do if youre ruled ineligible and whether youll lose out on benefits because you were unable to apply right away. We will keep updating this page with the latest answers, so bookmark this page and keep coming back.

The number of Floridians applying for unemployment benefits exploded last week. So did questions about how much money workers can get and how they can navigate the states balky system. Here are a few:

Im unemployed. How much does Florida offer?

The state offers a maximum of $275 a week based on your earnings for up to 12 weeks. An additional week is added for every 0.5 percent increase in the state unemployment rate above 5 percent. The maximum is 23 weeks when the unemployment rate gets above 10.5 percent. One catch: The state normally makes the calculation on the number of weeks once a year, according to state statute, usually sometime in October or later.

What about the jobless benefits from the federal stimulus package?

You can get an extra $600 a week through July 31. The package also provides an additional 13 weeks in state benefits. Its possible that another extended benefits program will kick in that adds more weeks, but that hasnt happened yet.

What if I earned less than $600 a week before I lost my job?

Can I be denied state benefits based on getting the $600 a week?

Can contractors and the self-employed receive Floridas unemployment benefits?

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Yesterday The Florida Department Of Economic Opportunity Debuted A New Mobile

ByColin Wolf onThu, Apr 9, 2020 at 11:27 am

Over the past couple weeks, Floridas unemployment claims have skyrocketed and the $7.7 million website meant to handle it all has been a catastrophic failure.

However, yesterday the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity debuted a new mobile-friendly site that, so far, seems to actually work.

The new site can be found here: www.FloridaJobs.org/RAApplication

On Wednesday, the state of Florida also rolled out a new mobile-friendly coronavirus page, which can be found at: www.FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19.

The new site features links to the new jobs site, as well as info about paper applications.

According to the site, before applying be sure to have the following:

  • Social Security number

  • Drivers License or State ID number

  • Your employment for the last 18 months including for each employer

Additionally, if you are one of the following, make sure you have this additional information available:

  • Not a US Citizen: Alien Registration Number or other work authorization form

  • Military Employee: DD-214 Member 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 may be used

  • Federal Employee: SF 8 or SF 50

  • Union Member: Union Name, Hall Number, and Phone Number

Support local journalism in these crazy days. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you up to the minute news on how Coronavirus is affecting Tampa and surrounding areas. Please consider making a one time or monthly donation to help support our staff. Every little bit helps.

How Much Will My Florida Unemployment Benefits Pay

The weekly payment amount you receive during unemployment will vary from person to person. The only way to be sure of your benefit amount is to submit a claim.

The state determines your weekly benefit payments based on your previous earnings during employment. In 2020, you can receive a maximum of $275 per week for 12 weeks. You are entitled to a maximum benefit amount of $3,300.

You will continue to receive Reemployment Assistance weekly for up to 12 weeks. When you secure a job, the payments will stop. However, working part-time or temporarily does not necessarily end the benefits.

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How To Find The Right Attorney

  • Determine the area of law that relates to your issue. Attorneys specialize in specific practice areas around legal issues within the broad field of law.
  • Seek out recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. A successful attorney or practice will typically have many satisfied clients.
  • Set up consultation appointments to get a better understanding of your case as well as gauge your comfort level with different attorneys. Find the attorney who is the right fit for your needs.

Finalizing And Submitting Application

Florida residents run into problems filing for unemployment as nationwide claims rise

Once you have completed the application and pressed submit, it will have to be reviewed to determine whether or not you qualify. Be advised that the Department of Economic Opportunity is receiving a high number of applicants which is resulting in longer wait times. If you need help filing or have questions about your application you can call 1-800-681-8102, which is taking calls 7 days a week.

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What Is An Offer Of Suitable Employment

To keep collecting unemployment benefits, you need to demonstrate that youre unable to work. That means you usually cant keep collecting if you refuse a suitable job that offered you pay. That doesnt mean you have to take just any job, however. A suitable job usually means its safe for you to do that work and is reasonably accessible to you. You may have the option to turn down jobs that pay far less than you used to make, if theyre outside your career field and below your level of experience, if you can reasonably expect to find work in your field again. Check with your local unemployment office to confirm if you can turn down a particular job and still continue your benefits.

Are You Out Of Work Through No Fault Of Your Own

You must be out of work through no fault of your own to qualify for unemployment benefits.

Collecting Unemployment After a Layoff

If you are laid off, lose your job in a reduction-in-force , or get “downsized” for economic reasons, you will meet this requirement.

Collecting Unemployment After Being Fired

If you are fired for a reason like not being good at the job or not having the skills to perform the job, you should be able to collect benefits. But in Florida, employees who are fired for misconduct connected with work may not qualify for unemployment benefits. Misconduct is defined as an intentional or controllable act that shows a deliberate disregard of the employer’s interests. Misconduct also includes failure, without good cause, to maintain a license or certification required for the job. An employee who is fired for performance problems, carelessness, inefficiency, or good faith errors in judgment will ordinarily qualify for benefits.

Collecting Unemployment After Quitting

If you quit your job, you won’t be eligible for unemployment unless you had a good reason for doing so relating to your work or a personal illness or disability. If you left your job because your spouse was transferred by the military, you will remain eligible for benefits. And, if you left a temporary job because you were recalled by your permanent employing unit within six months after termination, you will be eligible for benefits.

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How To Appeal An Application Decision

What if I donât agree with my Reemployment Assistance benefit determination?

You can 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. You can send it in through one of these avenues.

  • Online: through CONNECT
  • Tallahassee, FL 32399-5250
  • Fax: 850-617-6504

Iâve been denied unemployment, but I was let go because of COVID-19. Do I need to submit an appeal?

You may submit an appeal. According to the state: “your determination will have appeal rights that provide you with the necessary information on how to file your appeal.”

How do I file an appeal?

From the state: “You must request an appeal hearing within 20 calendar days after the distributed date of the determination. If the 20th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday you may file the appeal the next business day.

Was my request for monetary reconsideration received?

CONNECT will not display a confirmation screen when submitted. Verify the request was received by checking the âDetermination, Pending Issues and Decision Summaryâ section of CONNECT and reviewing the âMonetary Pending Issuesâ section. You should see a pending item attached to the employerâs name that you reported wage issues on.

What is an appeal hearing?

DEO leadership in the past said it would review the 400,000+ “ineligible” claims to ensure accuracy of eligibility. What is the status and process of those reviews?

Are There Any Unemployment Benefits Lawyers Near Me In Tampa Fl

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Searching for a verified Unemployment benefits attorney near you may seem like a daunting task, but it will be worth it when you find the right fit for your case. Get an advocate that will fight to protect your unemployment benefits rights under the law. The LawInfo directory can assist you in finding a verified unemployment benefits lawyer in Tampa.

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Do I Have To Look For A Job To Get Fl Unemployment Benefits

Yes. In addition, you will have to report your job hunting efforts. You must register with the Employ Florida Marketplace before claiming weeks of unemployment. You are exempt from registering if:

  • You have a literacy or language impediment
  • You have a physical or mental impairment
  • You dont currently live in Florida
  • You are on a temporary layoff that will not go longer than 8 weeks
  • You are a union member who regularly obtains work through a union hall
  • You are legally prohibited from using a computer

Florida Reemployment Services requires you to contact at least five employers a week to maintain your state of Florida unemployment benefits. Be sure you keep records of which potential employers you contacted, the results of the contact, and the employers contact information.

If you are offered a suitable job, but turn it down, you could lose your benefits. In addition, when you go back to work, you must report that information to the Reemployment Assistance Program immediately.

How An Attorney Can Help

An attorney can often resolve your particular legal issue faster and better than trying to do it alone. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, while avoiding costly mistakes or procedural errors. You should seek out an attorney whose practice focuses on the area of law most relevant to your issue.

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Do You Meet The Minimum Earnings Requirement

Virtually all states look at your recent work history and earnings during a one-year “base period” to determine your eligibility for unemployment. In Florida, as in most states, the base period is the earliest four of the five complete calendar quarters before you filed your claim for benefits. For example, if you filed your claim in October of 2021, the base period would be from June 1, 2020, through May 31, 2021.

During the base period, your work history and earnings must meet all three of these requirements:

  • You must have been paid wages in at least two of the four calendar quarters that make up the base period.
  • Your earnings during the entire base period must be at least one-and-a-half times your wages in the highest paid quarter of the base period. For example, if you earned $5,000 during your highest paid quarter, your total earnings for the base period year must be at least $7,500.
  • You must have earned at least $3,400 during the entire base period.

Applying And Qualifying For Florida Benefits

Major changes to Florida’s unemployment could shake up how benefits are received

How do I apply for unemployment?

There are currently three ways to apply for unemployment in Florida.

CONNECT: This process is for those who already have an account created, have previously applied, or previously received state benefits.

PEGASUS: This process is for those who have never applied for or received state benefits.

PAPER: Individuals may also choose to file for unemployment benefits by paper, of which there are two ways to submit your paper application.

Individuals may mail paper applications directly to FDEO:

  • P.O. Box 5350Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350

Individuals may also go to any FedEx location in Florida where they will print out a paper application and send it to Tallahassee on your behalf, free of charge.

NOTE: In order to submit an application you will need:

  • Social Security number

If you are one of the following, make sure you have this additional information available:

  • Not a U.S. Citizen: Alien Registration Number or other work authorization for
  • Military employee: Copy of your DD-214 Member 4 if you do not have the Member 4, then a copy of your Member 2-7 may be used
  • Federal employee: SF-8 or SF-50
  • Union member: Union name, hall number, and phone number

Who qualifies for State of Florida unemployment?

There are State of Florida unemployment benefits that are separate from federal benefits provided through the CARES Act.

To qualify for state benefits :

What is the âbase periodâ?

What if my employer fails to respond?

Yes.

How do I backdate my claim?

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Unemployment Benefit Legal Issues

Having legal counsel to obtain unemployment benefits can make a difference. It is best to hire a Tampa lawyer who handles unemployment benefits cases. He or she can form the arguments to use at the appeal hearing, meet the deadline for filing your appeal and present your case to the administrative judge.

Hillsborough County Unemployment Statistics

Find Hillsborough County Unemployment Rates by Age and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment. Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2018 ACS 5-Year Estimates.

Hillsborough County Unemployment Rates
Hillsborough County Unemployment Rates by Age

Hillsborough County Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment

Less than High School Graduate 9.2%
High School Graduate 7.1%
Some College or Associate’s Degree 5.1%

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File Your Florida Unemployment Claim

Within one week of becoming unemployed, you should begin the claims process to receive your Reemployment Assistance benefits. The date your application is finished determines when you will begin receiving benefits. Claims always begin with the Sunday prior to the completion of the application. For example, an application completed on Wednesday will take effect on the Sunday before that Wednesday.

All claims in Florida must be completed online. The process should take approximately 30-60 minutes to complete.

Those who need assistance because of disabilities, legal reasons, computer illiteracy or language barriers should call 1-800-681-8102.

Once your claim is filed, you will receive a confirmation notice that your claim has been received. You must request benefit payment no later than seven days from your scheduled report date. If your claim is accepted, it will take two to four weeks to receive your first payment. The week you file your claim is a “waiting week” during which no benefits are paid.

If you do not receive a confirmation notice, call the Claims Assistance Center toll free at 1-800-204-2418.

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