The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is today providing an update on the efforts made to enhance the Reemployment Assistance program due to the negative economic impacts presented by COVID-19.
Executive Order
Today, Governor DeSantis signed Executive Order 20-104, which suspends the biweekly “actively seeking work” reporting requirement by claimants. Click here to view the Executive Order.
Reemployment Assistance Processed Claims
From Sunday, March 15 – Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 141,451 claims have been through the initial monetary determination process. This means that a decision has been made on whether the claimant is monetarily eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance, in addition to what the amount of their weekly benefits will be.
Reemployment Assistance Claims Paid
From March 15 to April 15, DEO has made 121,102 payments to Floridians in Reemployment Assistance benefits totaling $47,544,993. This includes 33,623 individual Floridians who applied for Reemployment Assistance benefits after March 15.
This week, 23,801 checks for $600 have been mailed to Floridians for their benefits available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act. These checks were provided by paper to ensure they were distributed as quickly as possible. Floridians who received their $600 check will receive their state benefits for Reemployment Assistance via direct deposit or prepaid debit card based on their preference. DEO remains committed to getting benefits out to eligible Floridians as quickly as possible
Reemployment Assistance Initial Claims
DEO is seeing historic increases in Floridians filing for Reemployment Assistance. Initial claims, which are new individuals requesting assistance, filed for Reemployment Assistance are provided below:
- For the week ending March 21, Florida received 74,313 applications for Reemployment Assistance.
- For the week ending March 28, Florida received 228,484 applications for Reemployment Assistance.
- For the week ending April 4, Florida received 169,885 applications for Reemployment Assistance. *
- For the week ending April 11, estimates are that Florida received 175,306 applications for Reemployment Assistance. *
*Florida Reemployment Assistance claim numbers are not official until the U.S. Department of Labor releases them each Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
CARES Act Update
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides unemployment benefits to those that may not otherwise be eligible for regular Reemployment Assistance benefits. This includes individuals who are self-employed or independent contractors. DEO will provide more information on PUA and how to apply in the coming week.
System Enhancements
DEO will be conducting nightly maintenance to the CONNECT system to help with processing claims. CONNECT will be unavailable from 8 p.m. – 8 a.m. daily. Individuals who need to certify their weeks should sign-on to CONNECT between 8 a.m. and 7:59 p.m. during their scheduled reporting time to ensure their claims are processed on time.
Importantly, this will not affect individuals that are filing a new claim. Individuals can file a new claim 24 hour a day, seven days per week.
New Mobile-Friendly Application – Last week, DEO announced a mobile-friendly online application for individuals filing a new Reemployment Assistance claim available at www.FloridaJobs.org/RAApplication. Click here to read more.
For more information about Reemployment Assistance benefits, including how to apply and frequently asked questions, 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.
