Instead of emphasizing an individual’s lack of a job by referring to their program as “unemployment assistance,” Florida renamed their unemployment assistance program the Reemployment Assistance Program (Department of Economic Opportunity [DEO], 2013). This name is established in the Labor Laws of the State of Florida under the 2012 statutes, namely XXXI – Labor, specifically under Chapter 442 (The Florida Senate, 2015). The purpose of the Reemployment Assistance Program is to provide individuals who have lost their job with financial assistance until they are able to get a new job (DEO, 2013).
In addition to providing people with financial assistance, the State of Florida also provides other reemployment services. These services include job search counseling (that is, help finding the right job), testing and assessment (for jobs like civil service which require testing), information on occupational data and job markets (like salaries), workshops for job searching, referrals to potential employers, and training for jobs (DEO, 2013). The assistance provided by the Reemployment Assistance Program is not a part of Social Security; a loan; based on need; intended to completely replace the individual’s income prior to the loss of the job; or is otherwise based on any wages the individual eared prior to losing their job (DEO, 2013).
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In terms of eligibility, people who have lost their jobs, are recent graduates, or who are entering the job market for the first time can qualify (DEO, 2013). More specifically, a person can receive benefits if they make claims in the way described by the DEO; the person registers with the DEO for work and reports to the career center; the person continues to make claims as described by the DEO’s rules; the person is able to work and is available for work; the person participates in the state’s reemployment services (like the workshops or job counseling); the person does not make more than a certain amount if they do work; and the person submits a valid Social Security for verification and identification (The State Senate, 2015). In order to remain eligible, a person must make a real effort to find work. They must document their efforts and make records of contact to demonstrate to the DEO that they are actually trying to gain employment (DEO, 2013). Some of these eligibility standards do not apply to non-Florida residents; people who have only be temporarily laid off from their jobs; people who are members of unions and therefore are usually employed through union services; or are obtaining services on short-time compensation plans (The State Senate, 2015). Benefits are available for three different time frames. They include extended, short-time, and temporary (The State Senate, 2015).
In order for an individual to receive these benefits they must first be eligible. If they meet they eligibility requirements then they can make a claim. However, prior to making a claim, the State requires that people seeking reemployment assistance visit the Reemployment Assistance website to access the Claimant Authentication page. Through this page the person will complete the SET PIN process in order to create a login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) (DEO, 2013). This login information is what the person uses to file claims, which must be done every two weeks – benefits cannot be paid if not properly claimed, even if the person is eligible (DEO, 2013). This system helps identify if the person is eligible; if they are eligible, it helps the person make the most of the services available to them. Once a person is determined to be eligible and makes the proper claims, they can receive financial assistance. Reemployment Assistance Program payments are made to the person in one of two ways – either through direct deposit to the person’s bank account or through a debit card (DEO, 2013). Additionally, a person can be disqualified from receiving benefits if they violate the rules and eligibility requirements (The State Senate, 2015). The system used to make claims is intended to help DEO personnel to verify people’s identities and claims; determine eligibility; and facilitate claims.
- Department of Economic Opportunity. (2013). Florida’s reemployment assistance program.
Retrieved from www.floridajobs.org - The State Senate of Florida. (2015). 2012 Florida Statutes – XXXI Labor – Chapter 443.
Retrieved from http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/Chapter443
