You may find the answer to your question in the list below. Can't find what you're looking for? Please visit the Help Center.
What is Unemployment Compensation fraud?
Any false statement or failure to disclose a material fact, knowingly made for the purpose of obtaining or preventing payment of benefits contrary to the provisions of the Unemployment Compensation law. For example, a claimant may intentionally not report any wages that may have earned; may have intentionally under reported earnings; or may have misrepresented the reason for job separation.
Benefit Payment Control associates have the responsibility to establish intent when determining a claim to be fraudulent. Intent is especially important if the case is to be referred for prosecution. Circumstantial evidence may be used in making the decision.
What are the penalties for fraud?
Unemployment Compensation Fraud is a 3rd degree felony and can result in jail time for the claimant. When a fraud determination is issued, in addition to being required to repay the overpayment, the claimant will be disqualified from receiving future benefits (a disqualification can be imposed on a week by week basis up to a one year period), and have the case referred to the State Attorney for prosecution. State Attorneys may charge the claimant with grand theft or a misdemeanor.
Prosecution and conviction of unemployment compensation fraud may result in the claimant being required to serve jail time, make restitution, be placed on probation or some type of pretrial intervention, and serve community hours.
I believe an individual is working and fraudulently claiming benefits. How do I report it?
You can report potential unemployment compensation fraud by completing an online form. You may also report fraud by calling the Unemployment Compensation Fraud Hotline toll-free at 1-800-342-9909 or by submitting the information in writing to:
Benefit Payment Control
P.O. Drawer 5150
Tallahassee, FL 32314-5150
Please provide as much information as possible when reporting fraud so that we are able to fully investigate the claim.
You are not required to provide your name when providing possible fraud. If you would permit us to contact you concerning the tip, please include your name and a telephone number.
- Making false statements that may alter or increase benefits, or
- Withholding information that may alter or increase benefits, or
- Failing to report work in order to obtain or increase benefits, or
- Failing to report earnings in order to obtain or increase benefits.
What happens if I commit fraud?
If you commit unemployment compensation fraud, you face:
- Up to five years in prison per offense, AND
- Up to $5,000 fine per offense, AND
- Loss of future unemployment benefits, AND
- Repayment of all benefits to which you were not entitled.
How can I avoid committing fraud?
1. Report all earnings
- Federal and state law require that you report all earnings before taxes are deducted, including wages earned from self-employment, while claiming unemployment compensation benefits.
- ALL earnings must be reported in the week between Sunday and Saturday that you earned them, even if you have not been paid.
2. Report all work
- Federal and state law require that you report all work, including self-employment, while claiming unemployment compensation benefits.
- ALL work must be reported in the week between Sunday and Saturday that you worked, even if you have not been paid.
How do I report earnings correctly?
- Keep track of the total hours you work each calendar week, Sunday through Saturday.
- Your hourly rate of pay times the total hours worked equals your gross pay, which is the amount you must report.
- You must report ALL earnings for the week you do the work, not the week you are paid.