Unemployment has reached an all-time high and Florida is no exception. Learn how to apply for unemployment benefits in Florida.
Apply Online
To apply by phone, call: 1-800-204-2418. Choose the language and then option 2. The telephone center is open to process claims Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
You may also file by mail. Claim booklets are available at the One Stop Career Centers throughout Florida. View a list of the One Stop Career Centers. Computers are also available at the One Stop Career Centers so that you can file your claim using the internet.
Visit a CareerWorks Job Center
How to apply for Unemployment Benefits in Florida?
- If you have been separated from work, you can file your initial claim during your first week of total or partial unemployment.
- You can file your first claim in one of the two ways: by calling the TeleClaim Center or visiting a One-Stop Career Center close to you. Unluckily, you cannot file an initial claim online at this time.
- Have your entire information ready before filing your claim.
- If you have received severance pay upon your separation from work, you may still be eligible for unemployment benefits, so it is still important to call to file your initial claim during your first week of total or partial unemployment.
- If eligible for unemployment benefits, you can expect to receive your first payment in 3-4 weeks if there are no issues with your claim.
- In general, it takes approximately 3 weeks to process a claim; however, you will still need to claim benefits every week.
Information needed is as follows:
- Information needed is as follows:
- Your Social Security Number
- The year you were born
- Your home address and telephone number
- Whether you have filed an unemployment insurance claim in your state or in any other state during the past 12 months
- Your last day of employment
- The names and addresses of all of the employers you have worked for during the 15 months prior to filing your claim and the dates you worked for each of these employers. If you are reopening a claim, be ready with the same information for the past 8 weeks
- The reason that you are no longer working or that your hours have been reduced The names, dates of birth and social security numbers for any dependent children if you are going to apply for dependency allowance
- Form no. SF 8 or SF 50 if you were a federal employee
- Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN) – this is found on any W2 or 1099 tax forms you have received
- In case you don’t have the FEIN, you can use employer details off of a recent paystub
- If you were military personnel, from DD-214 must be produced. Note that only member copies 2-8 of DD-214 are acceptable.
- Your alien registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen
If You Are Not a United States Citizen
You must give verification that you were legally eligible to work in your state and that you are presently eligible to begin a new job.
Want to know about how much you will receive? —–>Calculate your benefits here
Unemployed?? ——>Check your eligibility for unemployment benefits
Florida Disaster Relief – How To Apply for FEMA Benefits
If your home or business suffered damage resulting from Hurricane Ian, FEMA may be able to offer some assistance. Your first step is to carefully document the damage to your property – make sure to take several photos of all damaged areas of your home or business and carefully list out any items that were damaged or lost as a result of the storm.
If you have insurance, you are required to file a claim with your insurance company before applying for FEMA benefits – FEMA cannot assist with losses covered under an existing insurance policy. If your insurance claim is denied, or if you don’t have insurance, you can visit FEMA’s website at DisasterAssistance.gov and file a claim. You also may call FEMA at 800-621-3362 to apply for benefits or to check your application status after you have applied. If you prefer, you also may file a claim in person at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. You can find the center nearest you at DisasterAssistance.gov. FEMA also will accept benefits applications by mail or fax.
When you apply, you will need to provide an insurance determination letter, proof of your identity, and documentation showing that you have ownership or occupancy rights of the home or business that was damaged.
In many cases, FEMA can assist with storm-related expenses that may include reimbursement for immediate lodging if your home is unlivable, long-term rent assistance while repairs are being made, and reimbursement for major repairs and/or out of pocket expenses you incur as a result of storm damage. These may include anything from medical or dental expenses to child care expenses, funeral or burial expenses, and the replacement of furniture, clothing, household appliances, and more.
Before you apply, it’s important to understand the scope of FEMA’s assistance – FEMA is committed to helping meet the basic needs of a household, but not necessarily to ensuring that the home, business, or any personal belongings therein are restored to pre-storm conditions. In cases where homes are destroyed, FEMA may be able to help cover expenses to help replace a home, when damage is not covered under an existing insurance policy.
For some qualified applicants, FEMA also provides aid for critical life-saving and -sustaining items while those applicants are temporarily displaced from their homes. Such items may include breastfeeding equipment, infant formula, food, water, prescriptions, diapers, personal hygiene items, and fuel for transportation.