Unemployment Application Instructions


There are two ways to apply for Reemployment Assistance benefits: online or in person.

Apply Online

The most convenient way to apply is via by clicking here. This a web application where you enter all of the needed information. It should take approximately 30 to 60 minutes to fill out this online application.

Apply in Person

In case you want to apply in person, you can visit one of the One-Stop Career Centers, where you can get answers to any questions or doubts you might have. For a complete listing of One-Stop Career Center by Florida's counties, visit this web page.

Preparing to File

Before proceeding with filling out your application, you'll need to know which documents and information you might possibly need. You'll usually need the following:

  • Your Social Security number
  • A complete listing of the jobs that you have had in the past. This listing needs to contain the names, addresses and phone numbers of your employers. (This is not always required).
  • Gross earnings from each of your employers.
  • In case you worked during that same week you want to apply, you'll need to report those earnings.
  • An ID card. This can be you Driver's License or State Identification Card number.
  • Information regarding your labor union hall, if applicable.
  • In case you were on active military duty within the last two years, you'll need information from your number 4, DD-214.
  • In case you were a federal employee within the last two years, you'll need you SF-50 or SF-8 form as well as your paystubs.
  • Finally, if you're not a U.S. citizen, you'll need your Alien Registration Number as well as work permit expiration date.

You also need to know that there are 4 steps you'll need to take in order to start collecting your Reemployment Assistance benefits:

  1. The first step is to apply, or differently said - to file a claim. You can do this either online or by person in one of the One-Stop Career Centers.
  2. Now you'll need to wait until you receive a confirmation and further instructions. This confirmation will tell you that your claim has been received and it will contain information regarding the Initial Skills Review process.
  3. Before you enroll with this program, you'll also need to complete Initial Skills Review. There are 3 general areas which you'll need to pass and those are: Applied Mathematics as well as Reading for Information and Locating Information. The results of this review are used by your unemployment agency, which should ease up the job seeking process.
  4. This final step is actually a continuous process which is important part of your enrollment. You'll need to submit your Work Search Information every two weeks and you'll also need to "Claim your weeks". You can do this online, by following this link.

    This service is also created in order to give you up-to-date information on your payment method and other specific information on your weekly benefits. You'll be obligated to submit at least five work search contacts, which are considered as a potential employers. You can also claim your weeks in person, by visiting one of the One-Stop Career Centers for each week you're out of the job.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to enroll with the Reemployment Assistance program, you'll need to meet to following criteria:

  • You need to be a U.S. citizen or a legal alien
  • You need to reside in the state of Florida
  • You need to be currently unemployed
  • Termination of your previous employment should not be a consequence of your wrongful actions
  • You need to meet the base period requirement

In order to be eligible for the Reemployment Assistance benefits you'll need to fulfill a general rule of the base period. This means that in order to be eligible, a person must have worked during the 4 quarters of the previous 5 completed quarters prior to applying for these benefits. There are also some specific eligibility requirements which are tied to the previously mentioned "base period" rule. These are:

  • An individual should have been paid in two or more calendar quarters in the base period.
  • Have at least $3,400 of net income in the base period.
  • Finally, an individual needs to have total base period wages of at least 1 to 1/2 times the wages in the quarter having the highest earnings.

Finally, your earnings during the base period determine the amount of your weekly benefit. For example, for applications filed during the April, May or June of 2012, the base period is January 1st to December 31st of 2011. Now you'll need to see during which quarter of your base period you've had the highest earnings and divide that number by 26. Minimum weekly benefit can be $32, while maximum weekly benefit amount can be $275.