TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) issued reemployment assistance updates on the Reemployment Assistance (RA) Claims Dashboard. As of November 12, DEO has paid 2,094,210 claimants nearly $18.4 billion ($18,366,811,468). Nearly 4.4 million (4,381,475) unique claims have been processed, representing 99.1% of unique claims submitted. 

UPDATES:

• Claimant Update: This week, DEO launched a website to assist claimants with verifying whether they have returned to work, and whether any new job separation has occurred since filing their initial claim.  
• Individuals who have a “Return to Work Issue” connected with their Reemployment Assistance claim have been notified, and they should complete the questionnaire to help determine their eligibility for benefits. To utilize this site, a claimant must have a “Return to Work Issue” associated with their claim and have been notified by the Department.
• Reemployment Assistance Update: Since April 2020, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has been providing daily updates on the efforts made to address the challenges to Florida’s Reemployment Assistance program in response to COVID-19. This includes a Reemployment Assistance Claims Dashboard that is updated daily to reflect the total number of Reemployment Assistance claims submitted, verified, processed, and paid.
• Beginning next week, the Department will begin releasing the Reemployment Assistance Update Press Release weekly. The update will be sent out on Tuesday of each week.
• The Reemployment Assistance Claims Dashboard will continue to be updated Monday - Friday.

PANDEMIC EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION:

• The Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, offered through the federal CARES Act and administered by DEO, provides up to 13 weeks of benefits to claimants who exhausted their Reemployment Assistance benefits. Floridians will need to apply for PEUC benefits once the balance of their current claim is exhausted. Floridians who have already exhausted their benefits or have Reemployment Assistance claims that expired after July 1, 2019, will also be able to apply. 

PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE:

• The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program provides unemployment benefits to those that may not otherwise be eligible under Florida’s state Reemployment Assistance program, including independent contractors and individuals who are self-employed. Individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19 and believe they may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, can visit www.FloridaJobs.org and select "File a Claim" to apply and be considered for PUA. 

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:

• The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has been dedicated to paying eligible Floridians the reemployment assistance benefits they are owed as quickly as possible while improving the customer experience and promoting more efficient claims processing. 
• Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Centers are available today, Friday, November 13, from 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. for all account inquiries and questions and will reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, November 16. On Saturday, November 14 – Sunday, November 15, staff resources will be dedicated to processing claims and payments.
• CONNECT will be available from 8:00 a.m. – 7:59 p.m. on Friday, November 13 and 8:00 a.m. – 4:59 p.m. on Saturday, November 14. CONNECT will be unavailable on Sunday, November 15. CONNECT will be available at 8:00 a.m. Monday, November 16.
• This schedule does not affect individuals who wish to file a new claim. Individuals can file a new claim 24 hours a day, seven days per week atwww.FloridaJobs.org and select "File a Claim."  
• Governor Ron DeSantis has directed DEO to continue waiving the work search and work registration requirements for claimants. These requirements will continue to be waived through December 5, 2020.
• Additionally, the waiting week requirement will continue to be waived through December 5, 2020.  

HOW TO APPLY FOR REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE:

• DEO has a mobile-friendly online application for individuals filing a new Reemployment Assistance claim, which is available here. For a step by step guide on how to apply read more here. For the Reemployment Assistance Resource Guide which includes frequently asked questions, please click here. For additional information about Reemployment Assistance benefits visit www.FloridaJobs.org/COVID-19. 

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts, expediting economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities and promote economic resiliency. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.FloridaJobs.org.