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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20-9748 Request Governor Desantis Retroactively Authorize Payment of Unemployment Benefits to Affected Workers during Covid 19nonsored by: Commissioner Kelley RESOLUTION NO. 20-9748 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THAT STATE OF FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO AFFECTED WORKERS FROM THE TIME OF LAYOFF, EVEN IN CASES WHERE THE LAYOFF WAS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented number of Florida workers to experience layoffs, reduced hours and furloughs; and WHEREAS, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Florida has changed some of its Reemployment Assistance Program rules; and WHEREAS, although Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has waived the mandatory delay that prevented applicants from receiving benefits during the first week of their unemployment, there are still many workers who filed for unemployment prior to COVID-19 rule modifications who are unable to obtain employment due to the further decline in economic conditions; and WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Opa-Locka desires to express to Governor DeSantis that there is still a pervasive need for persons who were unemployed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to receive the economic support in the form of unemployment benefits for a duration beyond the standard twelve (12) weeks, even if the unemployment rate is below five (5%) percent. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals to the preamble herein are incorporated by reference. Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Opa-Locka hereby requests that State of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis retroactively authorize payment of unemployment benefits to affected workers from the time of layoff, even in 'esolution No. 20-9748 cases where the layoff was not directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the City of Opa-Locka would urge Governor DeSantis to extend unemployment benefits beyond the standard twelve (12) weeks duration, even if the unemployment rate is below five (5%) percent in the State of Florida. Section 3. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the State of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Office of the Governor. Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption, and is subject to the review of the State of Florida's Financial Emergency Oversight Board for the City of Opa-locka, FL. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 22nd day of April, 2020. Matthew A. Pigatt, Mayor TTEST: Jo "nna Flores, City Clerk APPROyEp AS TO FORM AND LEGAL ST2 FICIENCY: i BurnTdette Norris'Weeks, P.A. City Attorney Moved by: VICE MAYOR DAVIS Seconded by: COMMISSIONER BURKE Resolution No. 20-9748 VOTE: 5-0 Commissioner Bass YES Commissioner Burke YES Commissioner Kelley YES Vice -Mayor Davis YES Mayor Pigatt YES City of Opa-Locka Agenda Cover Memo City Manager: John E. Pate CM Signature: ( / Commission Meeting Date: 04/22/2020 Item Type: (EnterX in box) Resolution rdin n e Other X Fiscal Impact: (Enter X in box) Yes No Ordinance Reading: (Enter X in box) St Reading 2nd Reading X Public Hearing: (Enter X in box) Yes No Yes No X X Funding Source: Account# : (Enter Fund & Dept) Ex: Advertising Requirement: (EnterXinbox) Yes No X Contract/P.O. Required: (Enter X in box) Yes No RFP/RFQ/Bid#: X Strategic Plan Related (Enter X in box) Yes No Strategic Plan Priority Enhance Organizational Bus. & Economic Dev Public Safety Quality of Education Qual. of Life & City Communication Area: Strategic Plan Obj./Strategy: (list the specific objective/strategy this item will address) X m • • • Image • Sponsor Name Commissioner Kelley Department: City Commission Short Title: A Resolution requesting the Governor of the State of Florida, Ron DeSantis to retroactively pay unemployment to affected workers from the time of their layoff as a result of COVID-19. Staff Summary: The City of Opa-locka would like those affected to receive the economic support they need to withstand the COVID-19 crisis. There are many people who were laid off from work due to the coronavirus pandemic who did not receive pay during the first week of their unemployment. Since Governor Ron DeSantis waived the mandatory delay, those affected should be able to receive retroactive pay. Proposed Action: Staff recommends approval and a copy of legislation be transmitted to the Governor's Office. Attachment: 1. State of Florida.com changes to unemployment due to COVID-19. Sponsored by: Commissioner Kelley RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, RON DESANTIS TO RETROACTIVELY PAY UNEMPLOYMENT TO AFFECTED WORKERS FROM THE TIME OF THEIR LAYOFF; PROVIDING FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented number of Florida workers to experience layoffs, reduced hours and furloughs; and WHEREAS, in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Florida has changed some rules of the Reemployment Assistance program; and WHEREAS, although Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has waived the mandatory delay that prevented applicants from receiving benefits during the first week of their unemployment, there are many workers who filed unemployment prior to the rules being changed. The City of Opa-locka would like those affected to receive the economic support they need to withstand the COVID-19 crisis. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA: Section 1. The recitals to the preamble herein are incorporated by reference. Section 2. The City Manager is hereby directed to transit a copy of this legislation to the State of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption, and is subject to the review of the State of Florida Financial Emergency Board for the City of Opa- locka, FL. PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of , 2020. Matthew Pigatt Mayor Attest to: Approved as to form and legal sufficiency: Joanna Flores City Clerk Moved by: Seconded by: Commissioner Vote: Commissioner Bass: Commissioner Burke: Commissioner Kelley: Vice Mayor Davis: Mayor Pigatt: Burnadette Norris -Weeks, P.A. City Attorney Florida Unemployment Changes Due to COVID-19 Page 1 of 9 MENU StateofFlorida.com is not affiliated with, owned, or operated by the State of Florida and is not endorsed or approved by the State of Florida. Visit MyFlorida.com Changes to Florida Unemployment Due to COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented number of Florida workers to experience layoffs, reduced hours and furloughs. While the Florida unemployment program was initially overwhelmed by the high volume of new applicants, the state is making frequent updates to the program and its rules to ensure all Floridians can access economic relief during this difficult time. New changes to the program include: • Creating a new mobile -friendly website for online applications • Waiving the one -week delay for payments, the work search requirement and the work registration requirement • Extending federal benefits to self-employed workers, contractors and gig economy workers • Offering paper applications to Floridians without internet access Many people are facing lengthy wait times while filing for unemployment benefits or contacting the Reemployment Assistance Program, but the state is using every agency and resource available to get Floridians the assistance they need as soon as possible. https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment-covid-19/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Changes Due to COVID-19 Page 2 of 9 Can't reach this pace • Make sure the web address https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net is correct • Search for this site on Bing • Refresh the page Updated Website for Online Unemployment Applications Due to the staggering number of new unemployment claims submitted to CONNECT, Florida's website for processing online applications, many applicants experienced errors and glitches that prevented them from filing successfully. To address this problem, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has launched a new unemployment website that streamlines the application process. It also provides a much better experience for mobile users applying on their smartphone or tablet. Early reviews of the new website indicate that users are not experiencing the same errors and glitches affecting the CONNECT website. If you have any issues during the online application process, review the DEO's list of frequently asked questions. The state has updated the list with questions about applying for benefits during the COVID-19 crisis. Florida Now Accepting Paper Applications https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment-covid-19/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Changes Due to COVID- 19 Page 3 of 9 With public libraries closed, unemployed workers may not have access to a computer to file an online application. If you can't access a computer or mobile device with internet access, you can now mail in a paper application for Florida unemployment assistance. FedEx is assisting with this process by offering free printing and mailing options for paper applications at more than 100 stores statewide. » Find a FedEx location near you You can visit FedEx to print and send out your paper application. You should complete your form using blue or black ink and mail it to: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity P.O. Box 5350 Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350 Keep in mind that paper applications will take longer to process than online applications. If you already completed an unemployment application through the CONNECT website and your application is pending, do not submit an additional paper application. Governor Waives One -Week Payment Delay and Work Search Requirement Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has waived the mandatory delay that prevented applicants from receiving benefits during the first week of their unemployment. In addition, DeSantis dropped the requirements to contact at least five potential employers per week and complete work registration on the Employ Florida website. https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment-covid-19/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Changes Due to COVID-19 Page 4 of 9 You still need to log into the Reemployment Assistance website every two weeks to request your benefits. The work search requirement and full work registration requirement has been waived only for applicants requesting benefits for the weeks of March 15 to May 2. You must fulfill these requirements if you requested benefits before March 15. Duration of Benefits May Be Extended When the state unemployment rate increases above 5 percent, Florida extends the duration of benefits beyond the standard 12 weeks. An additional week is added for every 0.5 percent increase to the unemployment rate above 5 percent. The maximum possible extension is 23 weeks. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the Florida unemployment rate for February was 2.8 percent. Can't reach this 3ace • Make sure the web address https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net is correct • Search for this site on Bing • Refresh the page Additional Financial Relief Through the Federal CARES Act The federal government's COVID-19 relief package, known as the CARES Act, provides eligible unemployed individuals $600 per week for four months. https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment-covid-19/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Changes Due to COVID-19 Page 5 of 9 Those who qualify will receive this benefit in addition to their weekly Florida unemployment benefit. The federal unemployment benefit payments are scheduled to end July 31, 2020. The CARES Act also authorizes direct relief payments to qualifying individuals and families. If you filed your 2019 or 2018 tax return and received your refund through direct deposit, your emergency relief payment will be automatically deposited in your bank account. The payment amount for those who qualify is $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for married couples and up to $500 for each child. » Learn more about CARES Act emergency relief payments Self -Employed and Gig Economy Workers Now Qualify for Unemployment Benefits Floridians who are self-employed, nonprofit workers or contractors — including gig economy workers such as Uber and Lyft drivers — do not typically qualify for state benefits. However, the CARES Act allows these workers to apply for $600 per week in federal benefits by filing through Florida's unemployment system. As of April 9, 2020, the state is still developing a process to accept these claims. Sources Brink, G. and Mower, L. (2020, April 2). Florida's unemployment benefits: We answer your questions. Retrieved from https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2020/04/01 /floridas- unemployment-benefits-we-answer-your-questions/ https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment-covid-19/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Changes Due to COVID-19 Page 6 of 9 Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. (n.d.). Claimant FAQs. Retrieved from http://www.floridajobs.org/job-seekers-community- services/reemployment-assistance-center/connect-general- information/connect-fags Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. (n.d.). Reemployment Assistance Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://www.floridajobs.org/docs/default-source/reemployment- assistance-center/new-individual-faq-includes-cares-act-final.pdf? sfvrsn=5f2547b0 4 Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. (2020, January). Reemployment Assistance Handbook. Retrieved from http://www.floridajobs.org/docs/default-source/reemployment- assistance-center/unemployment/bri/bri_english.pdf?sfvrsn=8e8e78b0_4 Internal Revenue Service. (2020, April 2). Economic impact payments: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you- need-to-know Mower, L. (2020, April 6). Floridians could wait weeks for unemployment checks, officials say. Retrieved from https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2020/04/06/floridians-couId- wait-weeks-for-unemployment-checks-officials-say/ Turner, J. (2020, March 30). DeSantis urges patience amidst criticism of Florida's unemployment registration website. Retrieved from https://www.foxl 3news.com/news/desantis-urges-patience-amidst- criticism-of-floridas-unemployment-registriation-website https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment-covid-19/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Changes Due to COVID-19 Page 7 of 9 U.S. Department of Labor. (2020, April 2). U.S. Department of Labor Announces New CARES Act Guidance on Unemployment Insurance for States in Response to COVID-19 Crisis. Retrieved from https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20200402-0 Warren, K. (2020, April 2). Companies are putting workers on 'zero hour schedules.' Here's how you can get unemployment benefits even if you're not officially laid off. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-zero-hour-schedule- unemployment-benefits-2020-3 REMOTE ONLINE NOTARY Become a Remote Online Notary in Florida! Learn More NEED OSHA TRAINING? /It https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment-covid-19/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Changes Due to COVID-19 Page 8 of 9 Get Your Certificate 100% Online at OSHAEducationCenter.com Learn More FI. INSURANCE LICENSE Get Your FL Life & Health Insurance License Online! Learn More NEED ONLINE TRAINING? https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment-covid-19/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Changes Due to COVID-19 Page 9 of 9 a y 0- ruble Online Education through American Safety Council Learn More ADS Can't • Make StateofFlorida.com is not an official publication of the State of Florida. Copyright C 2000-2020, StateofFlorida.com. AM Rights Reserved. "Florida Information Locator" and "It's Your Florida!" are registered servicemarks in the State of Florida. About Us Disclaimer & Terms of Use Privacy Policy I Refund Policy Contact Us https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment-covid-19/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits I Reemployment Assistance Page 1 of 14 MENU StateofFlorida.com is not affiliated with, owned, or operated by the State of Florida and is not endorsed or approved by the State of Florida. Visit MyFlorida.com Florida Unemployment Guide Florida's unemployment insurance program is called Reemployment Assistance. If you lost your job, were put on furlough or had your hours cut or reduced to zero through no fault of your own, you can apply online to receive monetary assistance and get help finding work. Changes to Florida Unemployment Due to COVID- 19 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Florida has changed some rules of the Reemployment Assistance program. Benefits are now available to self-employed workers and independent contractors. And the governor has waived several program requirements, including the mandatory waiting week for your first payment. The state has also launched a new mobile -friendly website that is better prepared to handle the high volume of unemployment applications. » Learn more about recent changes to Florida unemployment benefits https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits Reemployment Assistance Page 2 of 14 Florida Reemployment Assistance The state of Florida provides temporary, partial income replacement benefits and job assistance resources to unemployed workers who qualify for the program. Learn more about applying for unemployment benefits, including eligibility requirements, benefit payment amounts, and how to apply. Am I Eligible? Submitting a Claim How Much Money Will I Receive? Additional Benefits and Assistance Help Finding a Job Claiming Your Benefits Appealing Denied Benefits Florida Unemployment Benefits Eligibility To qualify for Florida unemployment benefits, you must meet several criteria: • You must have lost your job through no fault of your own. You won't qualify if you quit for personal reasons or were terminated for malicious misconduct. Poor job performance does not disqualify you. • You must be totally or partially unemployed. Partially unemployed means your hours were reduced or you're a part-time worker who can't find additional work. • You must have earned at least $3,400 before taxes in what is called the "base period," which is the first four complete quarters beginning 18 months prior to your claim. https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits Reemployment Assistance Page 3 of 14 • You must be able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work. This includes being able to get to a job and have child care if necessary. The best way to find out if you are eligible is to apply online. If you need help applying or determining your eligibility, contact your local CareerSource Florida center. » Find the location and contact information for your nearest CareerSource Florida office Can Furloughed Workers Receive Unemployment Benefits? Yes. Furloughed workers — those put on mandatory unpaid leave — are encouraged to apply for Florida unemployment benefits. If your hours were reduced or you were put on a zero -hour schedule, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Even if your employer says you won't qualify, you should apply anyways. Eligibility is based on your earnings in a prior week, not the number of hours you worked. Once you apply for benefits, the Reemployment Assistance team will review your information and determine your eligibility. Can't reach this oace • Make sure the web address https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net is correct • Search for this site on Bing https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits Reemployment Assistance Page 4 of 14 Submitting a Claim Find out how to file a Florida unemployment claim online. Prepare for Your Claim To apply for unemployment benefits, you will need: • Your Social Security number • Your driver's license or state ID number • Information on your employment over the past 18 months, including: Employer names, addresses, and phone numbers Dates of first and last day of work Gross earnings (before taxes) during employment periods Reason for separation FEIN number (on your W2 or 1099 tax forms) If you don't have a FEIN, use employer details from paystub Some workers will need to provide additional information: • Non-U.S. citizens must provide their Alien Registration Number or work authorization form • Military employees must provide their DD-214 Member copy 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 • Federal employees must provide SF 8 or SF 50 • Union members must provide the union's name, hall number and phone number https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits 1 Reemployment Assistance Page 5 of 14 If you want to use direct deposit, you must provide your bank account number and routing number. You can also request a Reemployment Assistance debit card. 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. » File your online unemployment claim. If you need assistance filing your claim, you can: • Read the Reemployment Assistance FAQs • Email a Reemployment Assistance agent • Call the Reemployment Assistance Hotline: 1-800-204-2418 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. https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits I Reemployment Assistance Page 6 of 14 If you do not receive a confirmation notice, call the Claims Assistance Center toll free at 1-800-204-2418. Initial Skills Review Along with the confirmation that your claim has been received, you will receive instructions on the Initial Skills Review. This examination is mandatory. There is no pass or fail, and the answers given do not affect your claim or eligibility. CareerSource Florida uses the Initial Skills Review to help in your job search efforts. 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. Benefits Extensions No benefit extension programs are available at this time. Once you receive 12 weeks of unemployment benefits or reach the maximum total benefit amount of $3,300, your Reemployment Assistance payments will end. https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits Reemployment Assistance Page 7 of 14 Additional Florida Unemployment Benefits In addition to the Reemployment Assistance Program, there are other programs to help unemployed Floridians. These are different than unemployment benefits, and you need to apply for them separately. Eligibility for one benefit does not guarantee or prohibit eligibility for another. Low -Income Home Energy Assistance Program The Low -Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income households cover heating and cooling costs. You can request assistance up to three times per year, but the program does not cover water, sewer or telephone services. The funds are paid directly to the energy company, not the household. » Learn more about the Low -Income Home Energy Assistance Program Weatherization Assistance Program The Weatherization Assistance Program is another federally funded program intended to help with home energy costs for low-income households. Instead of paying for energy costs directly, this program helps with the causes of high energy costs, helping households with insulation and ventilation needs, applying solar reflective coatings and installing solar screens, and repairing or replacing inefficient air conditioners and water heaters. Not every eligible applicant will receive assistance, but you should contact your local Weatherization office to see if you qualify. » Find a Local Weatherization office Community Services Block Grant Program https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits I Reemployment Assistance Page 8 of 14 The Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG) is designed to help members of low-income households be self-sufficient. The funds are distributed by local governments and non-profit agencies called Community Action Agencies. These funds are used in a variety of ways to combat poverty, including: • Providing emergency health, food, housing, day care, and transportation assistance • Housing counseling • Home finance management assistance • Nutrition programs and federal surplus food distribution • Community gardening projects • Food banks • job counseling • Placement and training services • Homelessness prevention programs To see if you are eligible for these benefits, contact your local CSBG provider. » Learn more about the Community Services Block Grant Program Jobs in Florida Help Finding a Job https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits I Reemployment Assistance Page 9 of 14 The state of Florida provides free reemployment services and assistance to unemployed workers, recent graduates, and those entering the job market for the first time. To take advantage of these services, visit the Employ Florida website. Claiming Your Benefits Find out the steps to take to file your claim and start receiving payments. Set up a Personal Identification Number (PIN) When you fill out your application, you need to set up a PIN that you will use to log into the CONNECT system and claim your benefits. A PIN is not provided for you, so you must create one yourself. Your PIN must be four digits long, and it cannot be: • A repeating number (1111, 2222, 3333, etc.) • Four sequential numbers (such as 1234) • The last four digits of your Social Security number Make sure your PIN is easy for you to remember but not easy to guess. Requesting Benefit Payments Every two weeks, you will use your PIN to log into your online Reemployment Assistance account and claim your unemployment benefits. You must request your benefits within seven days of your scheduled report date. If the last digit of your Social Security number is even, you will claim your benefits on Mondays. If the last digit is odd, you will claim your benefits https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits I Reemployment Assistance Page 10 of 14 on Tuesdays. Once you receive your first payment, your scheduled report date may change. If you are more than seven days late to claim your benefits, you may be denied payment. So make sure to always request your benefits on time. Note All Work and Earnings When you claim your benefits, you will have to report any work you have done in the weeks being claimed as well as the gross earnings (pre-tax wages). Even if you have not received payment from the employer yet, the earnings must still be reported over the time worked. Failure to report work and earnings is a crime and can carry severe penalties. Keep Seeking Employment You also need to report your efforts to find a new job when you claim your benefits. Florida unemployment laws require you to contact five potential employers each week in order to maintain benefits. Throughout your job search, be sure to keep track of: • Dates of contact • Methods of contact (in person, phone, online, fax, etc.) • Business names, telephone numbers, websites, and email addresses • Results of your search • Type of work sought You can use the Employ Florida website to help you in your job hunt; it has thousands of jobs you can search and apply for. Deal with Problems Immediately https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits I Reemployment Assistance Page 11 of 14 If you should encounter any issues with your claim, your PIN, or your reception of benefits, do not delay in fixing them. Call the Claims Assistance hotline toll free at 1-800-204-2418 to speak with a program representative. Appeal a Denial of Benefits If you were denied unemployment benefits, you may file an appeal online. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity refers to those seeking benefits as Claimants. Claimants, employers, and authorized representatives may appeal a decision that was not made in their favor. You must wait until after a determination is mailed or delivered to file an appeal. The determination will also contain instructions on how to file your appeal after a denial of benefits. Additional Links and Resources • Florida Unemployment FAQs • Apply for unemployment benefits online using CONNECT • Guide to the CONNECT claim management system • Florida Reemployment Assistance Handbook • Explore available supports and services • A Reemployment Assistance Guide to Requesting Your Benefit Payments (video) REMOTE ONLINE NOTARY https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits I Reemployment Assistance Page 12 of 14 Become a Remote Online Notary in Florida! Learn More NEED OSHA TRAINING? Get Your Certificate 100% Online at OSHAEducationtenter.com Learn More FI. INSURANCE LICENSE https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits Reemployment Assistance Page 13 of 14 Get Your FL Life & Health Insurance License Online! Learn More NEED ONLINE TRAINING? Easy & Affordable Online Education through American Safety Council Learn More ADS Can't • Make • se , ,. https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020 Florida Unemployment Benefits Reemployment Assistance Page 14 of 14 StateofFlorida.com is not an official publication of the State of Florida. Copyright 2000-2020, StateofFlorida.com. All Rights Reserved. "Florida Information Locator" and "It's Your Florida!" are registered servicemarks in the State of Florida. About Us Disclaimer & Terms of Use ( Privacy Policy Refund Policy I Contact Us https://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/florida-unemployment/ 4/10/2020