Florida’s Jobless Must Now Prove They’re Looking for Work to Collect Unemployment Benefits
Florida this week tightened eligibility requirements for people to collect unemployment benefits, part of a bid to encourage people to take jobs in the face of businesses’ hiring woes.
Starting June 1, unemployment benefit claimants with a few exceptions are required to submit work searches for every week of state or federal benefits requested, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced in an update.
The minimum number of required weekly work searches varies, depending on county population. Claimants living in counties with a population greater than 75,000 must complete at least five work searches, while those living in counties with 75,000 or fewer residents must submit a minimum of three.
Governor Ron DeSantis prematurely withdrew Florida from the federal program that provided an additional $300 in unemployment benefits. Critics like state Senator Victor Torres criticize the move as a political strategy that affects displaced workers, while others applauded DeSantis' move as "another crucial step in getting Floridians back to work," the Department of Economic Opportunity said.
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But does it pay? (Inside the Magic)
Florida will cease distributing $300 per week in supplementary federal unemployment assistance next month, the official who supervises the state unemployment system announced on Monday, leaving jobless workers to scrape by on $275 per week.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle said in a press release that the extra benefit will end on June 26 in the interests of “returning more Floridians to work.” He cited an uptick in private sector employment and “online job postings available throughout the state for job seekers.”
The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) supplement had been scheduled to last until Sept. 6. Lawmakers rejected efforts to boost Florida’s weekly benefit during the 2021 legislative session.
TALLAHASSEE –Florida plans to stop providing $300 a week in additional federal unemployment benefits as it pushes for people to return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.