Reemployment Assistance Benefits

ALERT  ALERT  ALERT  ALERT
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Idalia and are not eligible for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits.

Applications for DUA are being accepted from residents and businesses in Citrus and Levy counties as well as Dixie, Gilchrist, Hernando and 11 other counties identified as FEMA-designated disaster impacted areas. The deadline to submit a claim for DUA for businesses and residents in Citrus and Levy counties is no later than 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

DUA is available for weeks of unemployment beginning Sept. 3, 2023 until March 2, 2024, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster in a designated-disaster area.

Additionally, work search reporting, waiting week, and Employ Florida registration requirements to file claims for regular state Reemployment Assistance (otherwise known as Unemployment Compensation) have been temporarily waived for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Idalia in Citrus and Levy counties as well as other FEMA disaster-declared counties. By waiving these requirements, eligible Floridians will be able to quickly apply and receive reemployment assistance and disaster unemployment assistance benefits.

To file a DUA claim, visit the disaster unemployment assistance services page at Florida Jobs or call 1-800-385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time, to assist claimants. For DUA claims information, call 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to speak to a customer service representative.

________________________________________________________

FLORIDA’S REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, POPULARLY KNOWN AS “UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE” OR “UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION,” PROVIDES TEMPORARY WAGE BENEFITS FOR THOSE OUT OF WORK THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN. IT IS ADMINISTERED BY THE  FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY (DEO).

Claimants are required to provide five work search contacts for every week of Reemployment Assistance benefits requested from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. 

The fastest and best way to file new claims for Reemployment Assistance is by using DEO’s mobile-friendly application portal. The portal is accessible by mobile phone and desktop computer  at www.FloridaJobs.org/RAApplication

The duration of benefits is a maximum of 12 weeks. The maximum weekly benefit amount will remain at $275.

To claim benefits:

Work Registration:  All applicants must complete an Employ Florida profile, provide a valid e-mail address, complete or upload a resume and complete the background history on your profile.

For a step-by-step guide on work registration, click here.

For a one-sheet tip guide, click here.

Under normal circumstances, you are required to register with Employ Florida. When creating (or updating) your Employ Florida (EF) profile, you must provide a valid e-mail address, upload or create a current resume, and complete background history on your profile. 

Work search:  Provide five work search contacts weekly.  If work search is done in Employ Florida, the system automatically exports the searches to CONNECT. If not done in EF the claimant will be required to provide the job listing and contact for how the search was conducted. Claimants may also receive an accountable service from a staff member; these services are career services and require a full Wagner-Peyser application and engagement with a career development coach. You may request assistance with registration, work search and/or career service assistance by contacting CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion at 800-434-JOBS (5627) or visiting one of our Career Centers in Citrus, Levy or Marion counties.

________________________________________________