Unemployment Benefits in Florida: How to File for Benefits
A Uncomplicated Guide to Claiming Unemployment Benefits in Florida
How Much Money will I be paid per Week for Unemployment Benefits in Florida?
In Florida, unemployment benefits range from a minimum of $32 per week to a maximum of $275 per week. The amount you will be paid on a twice monthly basis is determined by your last salary. Once you've applied for unemployment benefits, you'll receive a letter stating if you qualify, and if so, how much you'll receive per week. To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own (such as layoff, downsizing, etc.), be actively looking for a new job, be ready to take a new job if one is offered, and have made at least $3,400 in the last quarter.
Additionally, part the money Florida is receiving from President Obama's Stimulus Package (officially called American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) is being used to pay those receiving unemployment benefits in Florida an additional $25 per week. This began with the payments on February 22, 2009 and will continue thought July 3, 2010. The $25 is in addition to the amount for which you qualify from the State of Florida; effectively making the top amount you can be paid per week $300.
How do I File for Unemployment in Florida?
Claiming Unemployment in Florida can be done either online at www.fluidnow.com or by phone at 800-204-2418 (by phone is only available Monday - Friday 7:30am to 7PM and Saturdays 8am - 4pm). I recommend claiming online as the wait times to talk to a call center agent can reach an hour or more due to the increased volume of calls the state of Florida is handling.
Before you apply, you'll want to have some information handy. You'll need the name and address of your last employer, the dates worked, and the reason for separation. Remember, to be eligible you must have lost your job through no fault of your own. If you were fired, or you quit, your unemployment claim will not be accepted.
The claiming process is simple, regardless if you apply online or over the phone. You just answer some questions about your last job and the reason for leaving. The process takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
What to Expect after you File Your Unemployment Claim
About a week after applying, you'll receive a letter stating if you qualify and, if so, how much you'll receive weekly as your benefit (however, you'll receive a check every two week paying your for two weeks of benefits). If you do not qualify for unemployment benefits, the letter will explain why and tell you what you should do if you wish to appeal the decision.
Once you've qualified to receive benefits, you must claim your weekly benefits every two weeks. The initial letter you receive will give you a date on which you must call or go online and answer a few questions about your continued eligibility such as "did you looking for a job in the past two weeks" and "did you refuse any job offers." Failure to reclaim your benefits every two weeks will delay the payment of benefits to you.
Additionally, 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 three weeks after you initially claimed unemployment benefits, and then the benefits paid out will only be for two week.
Published by Matthew Steed
Live in sunny Orlando, Florida. Love to travel and have lived in Spain, Italy, and New York City. View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentI worked for an incorporated town in Florida for 14 months and then I was laid off, Feb. '10. I received unemployment benefits until Nov. '10 at which time I was elected to public office at $9,279.00 per year.
I stopped receiving unemployment benefits when I took office Nov. '10.
Am I still eligible for unemployment.
My husband has been out of work for over a month and has not been able to find any work since. He has been actively looking for that time but there is nothing to be found. Now after reading your information on this site, which says that to qualify for unemployment you can not have been fired or you can not quit a job in order to qualify. I am confused on what unemployment is for. He worked for the same company for 10 years and then they let him go. We have depleated our savings and now only have my disability to live on which is only $612.00 a month and that can barely covers our rent payment which is $500.00 a month so how are we to make ends meet? He did not want to apply for unemployment so we did not apply. Now I am glad we did not apply because it seems a lot of trouble for nothing. Your site was very informational and helpful so thanks for the information although this does not help my problem but it has made me aware of the fact that there is no help for the honest workin
i began collecting unemployment in december and am also being told that there is no more extensions, i was let go from my job when i was 3 months pregnant, i have been looking for work but all honesty nobody wants to hire a pregnant woman, i am 30 years old and have worked since i was 14 i am not lazy by any means i would love to work, my husband works but his hours have been cut to 25 hours a week, im not sure what we are going to do,we have a 7 year old and a new baby coming at the end of this month we applied for food stamps and are currently getting $35 a month......there is something wrong with this picture we have illegal immigrants that get more help, they come here have babies who become united states citizens and they get everything.......im not prejudice but come on i was born here and paid taxes where is the help when i need it
i began collecting unemployment 8/1/2009 after being laid off from a job of 7 years..i collected the first 26 weeks no issue was granted a 20 week extension good thru 7/6/2010 and that is working well..now when i asked for another extension i am told that that's all there is..originally i was quoted a total of 79 weeks and congress extended that 20 weeks late last year..all i am going to get is 46 weeks..what's up?? i have paid into the unemployment system for 56 years and never used it..now i nedd it and am being short changed..i am guessing that congress has not extended benefits beyond 7/3/2010..could it be they are too busy trying to hide their performance before election in november..they had enough time to give themselves a raise for the year.but those of in need can look elsewhere..my county is about the worst unemployment rate in the country at 14% we need to hear something soon!!
This is absolutely crazy. My husband serves his country for 21 years. Has paid into unemployment for that long and is told he doesn't have enough wage credits.. How is that possible?
What is the average time now to get your first check. My husband has worked for the same company for 13 years%2C was let go%2C applied for FL unemployment on July 30th and have claimed his weeks%2C and so far%3A nothing.%0D%0Ahow can you survive like that%3F%0D%0Athank you.
The information you provide is good, but what you are not telling people is that after someone starts receiving benefits they are mailed a job search worksheet that has to be filed out and sent back in. It then can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to get it processed and in the meantime your benefits stop. The agency acknowledged receiving my form on July 20, 2009 and I am still waiting for it to be processed. I am being told it could take another 2 weeks. I still have to claim my weeks every 2 weeks but have not received a check since July 15, 2009. I lost my job due to down sizing and I continue to search for work just like everyone else, but am now facing even more problems due to the agency being under man powered. Maybe they should hire some of us that would love a job and a steady paycheck again!
This article was very helpful for me to file for unemployment in Florida:
http://www.how2dothings.com/how-to-file-for-unemployment-in-florida-183.html
Good Reporting.
Good Reporting.