$7.1 billion paid through Florida Reemployment Assistance

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity on Monday, June 22, issued reemployment assistance updates on the Reemployment Assistance Claims Dashboard. As of June 21, the DEO has paid 1,470,576 claimants a total of $7.1 billion ($7,135,906,179).

Of those, 178,690 are from Orange County. According to the DEO, the five industries most impacted in Orange County are:

Accommodation and food services industries: 28,123
Arts, entertainment and recreation industries: 27,875
Administration, support, waste management and remediation industries: 17,039
Retail trade: 12,926
Health care and social assistance: 6,590

PANDEMIC EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
The Federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program is now available. This program, offered through the federal CARES Act and administered by DEO, provides up to 13 weeks of benefits to a claimant who has exhausted their Reemployment Assistance benefits. 

Floridians will need to apply for PEUC benefits once the balance of their current claim is exhausted. Floridians who already have exhausted their benefits or have a Reemployment Assistance claim that expired after July 1, 2019, also will be able to apply. 

Click here for PEUC Application Process. 

Click here for PEUC Frequently Asked Questions. 

Click here for COVID-19 Employment Scenarios. 

PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program provides unemployment benefits to those who may not otherwise be eligible under Florida’s state Reemployment Assistance program, including independent contractors and individuals who are self-employed. Individuals who have been impacted by COVID-19 and believe they may be eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance can visit FloridaJobs.org and select "File a Claim" to apply and be considered for PUA. 

ADDITIONAL UPDATES:
DEO will be conducting nightly maintenance to the CONNECT system to process claims and payments. CONNECT will be available from 8 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. daily. This schedule does not affect individuals that wish to file a new claim. Individuals can file a new claim 24 hours a day, seven days per week at FloridaJobs.org and select "File a Claim."    

Governor Ron DeSantis has directed DEO to continue waiving the work search and work registration requirements for claimants through July 4, 2020. Additionally, the waiting week requirement will continue to be waived through Aug. 1, 2020.