How do I file for unemployment benefits in Florida?

Florida's Reemployment Assistance program (renamed from "unemployment compensation" in 2012) is administered by the Department of Commerce (formerly DEO) under Fla. Stat. Ch. 443.

1. How and When to File

File online at FloridaJobs.org through the CONNECT system — phone filing is generally not available.

File immediately upon becoming unemployed — claims start the Sunday of the week filed.

A one-week unpaid waiting period applies.

2. Weekly Benefit Amount

Range: $32 to $275 per week (the $275 cap is the lowest in the U.S. and unchanged since 1998).

Calculated as 1/26th of your highest-quarter base-period wages.

Maximum 12 weeks of regular benefits — the shortest duration in the country. Duration scales from 12 to 23 weeks based on the state unemployment rate (Fla. Stat. § 443.111(5)).

3. Eligibility Requirements (Fla. Stat. § 443.091)

Base-period wages of at least $3,400 total and 1.5× your highest quarter.

Wages in at least two quarters of the base period.

Unemployed through no fault of your own.

Be able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work.

4. Initial Skills Review

All claimants must complete a mandatory 45-minute online Initial Skills Review before benefits begin.

5. Work Search Requirement

Must make 5 employer contacts per week (one of the highest requirements nationally).

Must register at EmployFlorida.com within 7 days.

Maintain a detailed log of contacts.

6. Claiming Weeks

Claim weeks every 2 weeks through CONNECT.

Earnings up to 8× the federal minimum wage are disregarded.

7. Appeals

Appeal denials within 20 days of the mailing date of the determination.

This is legal information, not legal advice.