Employer FAQs

Welcome Employers

Thank you for visiting the Frequently Asked Questions page. You can also find more Employer resources and information by visiting the Reemployment Assistance (RA) Help Center.

General

What is Reemployment Assistance?
Reemployment Assistance, federally known as Unemployment Insurance, is temporary income for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and are either looking for another job, have a definite recall within 8 weeks of the last day worked, or are in approved training. Reemployment Assistance is funded from taxes paid by employers.

What is Reconnect?
Reconnect is a claims management system that claimants use to apply for benefits. Claimants, employers and third parties access information related to claims, and communicate with FloridaCommerce Staff through Reconnect.

What is the Reemployment Assistance Help Center?
A self-service website available to employers 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The RA Help Center is constantly being updated with capabilities and resources, currently employers can:

• Reset their Reconnect password
• File mass protests to charges against their tax account
• File, request continuance, or withdraw an appeal
• Report refusal of work
• Report failure to attend scheduled interview
• Respond to Notice of Claim Filed (UCB-412)

I am having trouble opening items in my Reconnect inbox. How can I access these documents?
Please verify the following:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader is installed and up to date.
• You are using a computer, not a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet.
• You are using a compatible browser.
• Disable any pop-up blockers.

Account Login

Where can I log into Reconnect?
Reconnect is a central system that is accessed by six types of users: claimants, employers, FloridaCommerce staff, Third Party Representatives (TPRs), Third Party Administrators (TPAs) and Other State and Federal Agencies.

Reconnect Logins

How do I find my Reconnect User ID?
You will need to enter your User ID by putting the letters e and p, then the number zero in front of your 7-digit Employer Account Number (EAN). Your EAN can be found on some of the correspondence from Reemployment Assistance. It is sometimes referred to as the RT Account #. Here is an example of how you would create your User ID >> If your EAN was 1234567, your User ID would be: ep01234567. Please use the Reemployment Assistance Help Center if you have the User ID but need to have your password reset.

I am locked out of Reconnect, what do I do?
If you entered an incorrect password more than three times, your password needs to be reset. If you have added someone else as an administrator, that person can reset your password. Otherwise, submit a password reset request by visiting the Reemployment Assistance Help Center, select "I am an Employer" and then "I need to reset my employer password."


How do I create an ID.me account?
Review How to Set Up and Protect Your ID.me Account to learn more about creating your account.

Tax Information

What is Reemployment Tax rates?
Under Florida law, reemployment tax rates are calculated each year by the Florida Department of Revenue. Learn more about Reemployment Tax.

Where do I file my Reemployment Taxes?
If you paid reemployment taxes for 10 or more employees during any quarter of the prior state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30 of a given year) you must file reports and pay taxes online through the Florida Department of Revenue.

What is the difference between a contributory employer and a reimbursable employer?
A contributory employer is a non-government employer who pays quarterly into the trust fund and benefits charged to their account may affect their rate. A reimbursable employer is a government employer (federal, military, county, or state agency) with an employer account number that starts with “99.”  These employers pay back the exact amount paid as claimants receive benefits.

What is an RT1 form?
An RT1 is a breakdown of the charges made to an employer’s account for an indicated time period. The form will show both charges and credits made to the employer’s account. These forms are very important to employers because their tax rate is affected by the information on this form.

How can I protest benefit charges made to my account?
You can protest benefit charges made to your account in the Reemployment Assistance Help Center or Reconnect.  You will need to provide: RT-1 or RT-29 mail date, claimant's last name and SSN, last day of work for claimant, reason for protesting the benefit charge.

UI SIDES and SIDES E-Response

What are UI SIDES and SIDES E–Response?
SIDES E–Response is a web-based system, that provides a secure, electronic and nationally-standardized format to respond to RA information requests. SIDES E–Response is for employers with a limited number of RA claims throughout the year and has zero startup cost as you will utilize a free nationwide interface system. SIDES E-Response requires only a working internet connection and an employee who will enter the needed information.

UI SIDES is an automated data-exchange between your own custom built interface and UI SIDES. It is designed for employers and TPAs that typically deal with a large volume of UI information requests, operate in multiple states, or want a custom interface to this service.

What are the benefits of UI SIDES and SIDES E–Response?
UI SIDES and SIDES E–Response has the potential to significantly improve the RA information exchange process. While the best option depends on your specific business needs, both systems offer significant benefits:

• Saves time and money
• Services provided for FREE (UI SIDES has cost for employer to maintain their own custom interface)
• Reduces staff time and paperwork
• Helps keep UI rates as low as possible by reducing overpayments
• Provides an electronic, nationally standardized data format
• Includes data checks to ensure the exchange of complete and valid information

How do I determine which SIDES option is best suited for my business?
SIDES E-Response is best suited for employers or TPAs with a limited number of annual UI claims. It requires only a working internet connection and an employee who will enter the needed information. SIDES is best suited for larger employers facing many potential UI claims throughout the year. It provides a more automated data exchange interface between employers’ and TPAs’ IT systems and state agency networks.

What are the differences between SIDES and SIDES E-Response?
SIDES E-Response is a website that provides an easy and efficient way to respond to UI information requests from state UI agencies. SIDES is a more automated data-exchange interface between employers’ IT systems and SIDES. It is designed for employers and TPAs who typically deal with more than 30 UI information requests per week or those operating in multiple states.

Requests for Information

Do I need to respond to requests for information sent to me from Reemployment Assistance?
It is required that you respond to all documents and forms electronically using Florida's Reemployment Assistance claims system, Reconnect, unless otherwise exempt.

What types of documents would need my response?
Below are examples of forms that would need your attention:

• Notice of Reemployment Assistance Claim (UCB-412)
• Request for Additional Information (Fact Finding Questionnaire)
• Claimant Wage Post Audit (UCO-2)

What is a Notice of Reemployment Assistance Claim (UCB-412)?
This notice is sent when a claim is filed, and it is reported that you have employed the claimant within the last 18 months in order to collect basic employment information. You must respond within 14 days otherwise your business will not be eligible for relief from benefit charges.

How can an Out-of-State employer or Non-liable employer submit a UCB-412?
To respond to the Notice of Claim Filed (UCB-412), log into Reconnect by entering the Unique Document ID and Claimant ID that are listed on the notice.

Where do I report New Hires?
New hires can be reported at the Florida Department of Revenue website.

What is a Claimant Wage Post Audit (UCO-2)?
This form is sent when a claimant is eligible for benefits and working part time, their reported earnings will be verified with your business.  Please provide any requested wage information accurately because it may be used in legal action.

How do I find out if my response or objection was received?
You can view correspondence you have provided to FloridaCommerce in your reemployment assistance account. If the correspondence was faxed, it should be viewable in your portal within a few hours of receipt. If there was not a bar-code on the correspondence, it should be processed and searchable in your employer portal within 48 hours.

Reemployment Assistance Appeals

How do I file an appeal?
You may submit your request for an appeal by mail, fax, or online through the Reemployment Assistance Help Center or Reconnect. Please complete a Notice of Appeal for your request by mail or fax.

How soon do you have to file an appeal?
All requests for an appeal hearing must be filed within 20 calendar days after the distributed date of the determination. If the 20th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday the appeal may be filed on the next business day.

Can I submit a late appeal request?
You may submit a late appeal request in your reemployment assistance account, by mail or in the Reemployment Assistance Help Center by selecting “I am an Employer,” and then “I disagree with a determination that was made about at least one of my employees and need to file an appeal.”

What happens after I file an appeal?
The following will occur:

• You will receive a Notice of Hearing.
• You will be contacted on your scheduled date.
• The appeals referee assigned to the case will conduct the hearing.
• You will receive the appeal decision.

What is the Notice of Hearing?
A notice that contains the date, time and contact information for the scheduled hearing.

What are my rights at the hearing?
As a party, you have the right to:

1. Testify in your own behalf.

2. Present documents and other evidence.

3. Question your own witnesses.

4. Question the opposing party’s witnesses.

5. Examine and object to evidence presented.

6. Explain or rebut evidence presented; and

7. Make a closing statement at the end of the hearing.

Can I request a postponement of the hearing?
A postponement may be requested if there is a compelling reason why you cannot participate as scheduled. The request can be made in writing before the hearing or on the record during the hearing. Include a detailed reason why you cannot participate and what, if any, attempts you made to re-arrange your or your witness(es)’ schedule so you could participate.

Special Deputy Tax Hearing Appeal

What is a Special Deputy Tax hearing?
Special deputies conduct hearings and issue Recommended Orders on tax rate, reimbursement, and liability protests.

Who makes the final decision?
The Secretary of FloridaCommerce or the Secretary’s designee will issue a Final Order and serve a copy to the parties by certified mail.

How do I cancel my Tax appeal if I change my mind?
The Petitioner may withdraw an appeal by mail or fax to the Appeals Office address or fax number on the Notice of Telephone Hearing or to:

Office of Appeals
PO Box 5250
Tallahassee FL 32399-5250.

Include the docket number and employer account number on the withdrawal request. In most situations, a withdrawn appeal cannot be reopened.

How do I appeal the order if I think it is wrong?
Orders of the Secretary become final when the time expires for seeking judicial review, provided such review has not been invoked. Final Orders may be appealed to the appropriate District Court of Appeal.

Fraud and Identity Theft

What are examples of RA fraud?
Examples of Employer RA fraud:

• Deliberately reporting incorrect or zero wages.
• Intentionally misclassifying employees as independent contractors.
• Paying workers off-the-books or under-the-table wages to avoid paying RA taxes.
• Manipulating payrolls by shifting workers between employer accounts to improperly use a lower contribution tax rate. This is called State Unemployment Tax Act (SUTA) dumping.
• Knowingly providing false information regarding a worker’s separation from employment or failing to respond to a claim notice that a worker has filed a RA claim while still working for you.

What are the penalties for committing fraud?
RA fraud is a serious offense that carries some serious penalties.
For example:

• Liens, fines, and a court ordered operating suspension against your business.
• The fraudulent behavior being shared between state and federal agencies.
• Prosecution or even jail.

What is the procedure for reporting a fraudulent claim?
You should report your information to FloridaCommerce as soon as possible by selecting 'Report ID Theft / Fraud' option on the Reemployment Assistance Help Center. It is important to respond to any forms sent to you, even if you have already reported fraud to us. When responding to a Notice of Claim Filed (UCB-412), it is important to indicate that you believe this claim was filed as a result of identity theft.

Where can I report identity theft?
If you, or someone you know, is a victim of identity theft, please visit the Reemployment Assistance Help Center to notify FloridaCommerce. You should select “Report ID theft / fraud,” and follow the prompts to complete the report.

Short-Time Compensation (STC)

What are the benefits of STC?
Employees are spared the hardships of full unemployment, and employers retain employees who can resume high production levels when business conditions improve.

Employers avoid the expense of recruiting, hiring, and training new workers when business conditions improve. Affected employees may continue to work at reduced levels with an opportunity to find other employment before the expected layoff.

How do I submit a STC Plan?
Employers submit their STC plan to FloridaCommerce for approval.

STC is only available if the normal weekly hours of work for individuals in the affected unit are reduced by at least 10 percent and by not more than 40 percent. The plan does not serve as a subsidy to seasonal employers during the off-season or as a subsidy to employers who traditionally use part-time employees. An Individual may not be paid Short-Time Compensation benefits for more than 26 weeks in any benefit year.

As part of STC, are there charges for the employer?
STC benefits are charged to the employment record of the employer as they would be charged to any employer not enrolled in a STC plan. The maximum tax rate for employers participating in STC is 6.4 percent (Note: 5.4 percent is the highest possible tax rate that may be assessed for non-STC employers).

What are the requirements for employers to qualify for STC?
Only full-time permanent (not part time or seasonal) employees with a set number of hours worked each week (excluding overtime) may participate in the STC program.

Employees must work at least 60%, but no more than 90% of their normal work hours, to qualify for STC benefits. Employees must be eligible for RA benefits.

What is involved in an STC Plan?
Employers submit their STC plan to FloridaCommerce for approval. STC is only available if the normal weekly hours of work for individuals in the affected unit are reduced by at least 10 percent and by not more than 40 percent. The plan does not serve as a subsidy to seasonal employers during the off-season or as a subsidy to employers who traditionally use part-time employees. An Individual may not be paid Short-Time Compensation benefits for more than 26 weeks in any benefit year.