How Much Are Unemployment Benefits in Florida?

Florida’s Reemployment Assistance program provides temporary financial aid to eligible individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. This assistance helps bridge the financial gap while they actively seek new employment opportunities.

Eligibility for Florida Unemployment Benefits

To qualify for Reemployment Assistance in Florida, individuals must meet specific criteria related to past earnings, job separation, and availability for work. A requirement involves having worked in covered employment and earned sufficient wages during a “base period.” This base period encompasses the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the effective date of a claim. For instance, if a claim is filed in October 2025, the base period would generally cover wages earned from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

Monetary eligibility requires earning wages in at least two of the four calendar quarters within the base period. Total earnings during the entire base period must be at least one-and-a-half times the wages earned in the highest-paid quarter. Additionally, a minimum of $3,400 in total wages must have been earned during the base period.

Beyond monetary qualifications, individuals must be unemployed through no fault of their own. This means they cannot have voluntarily quit without good cause attributable to the employer or been terminated due to misconduct. Claimants must also be able to work, available to accept suitable employment, and actively seeking new work.

Calculating Your Florida Unemployment Benefit Amount

The weekly benefit amount (WBA) in Florida is determined using a formula based on an individual’s earnings during their base period. The calculation involves identifying the calendar quarter within the base period with the highest wages. This highest quarterly wage is then divided by 26 to arrive at the weekly benefit amount. For example, if an individual earned $7,000 in their highest-paid quarter, their weekly benefit amount would be $269.23 ($7,000 / 26).

Florida law establishes both a minimum and maximum weekly benefit amount. The minimum weekly benefit an eligible individual can receive is $32, while the maximum is $275. Even if the calculation based on high-quarter wages exceeds $275, the weekly benefit will be capped at this maximum. This cap ensures a standardized level of support across all eligible claimants.

Unemployment benefits are considered taxable income at the federal level. Recipients generally receive a Form 1099-G, “Certain Government Payments,” which reports the total amount of unemployment compensation received during the year and any federal taxes withheld. Individuals can choose to have a flat 10% of their benefits withheld or make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid a larger tax bill.

Duration of Florida Unemployment Benefits

The length of time an individual can receive unemployment benefits in Florida varies, influenced by the state’s average unemployment rate. Eligible individuals can receive Reemployment Assistance for up to 12 weeks when the state’s average unemployment rate is at or below 5 percent.

For every half-percent increase in the unemployment rate above 5 percent, an additional week of benefits may be added. The maximum number of weeks for which benefits can be collected is capped at 23 weeks, applicable if the state’s unemployment rate equals or exceeds 10.5 percent. It is important to note that extended benefit programs are generally not available unless specific economic conditions, such as sustained high unemployment rates, trigger them. The total amount of benefits payable during a benefit year is also capped, typically at 25 percent of the total wages earned in the base period, not to exceed $6,325.

Applying for Florida Unemployment Benefits

The application process for Florida’s Reemployment Assistance is primarily conducted online through the state’s dedicated portal. Filing the claim online is the recommended method, though phone assistance is available.

Before applying, gather necessary information and documentation. This includes the applicant’s Social Security number, driver’s license or state ID number, and detailed employment history for the past 18 months. For each employer, provide their name, address, phone number, first and last day of work, gross earnings before taxes, and reason for separation. Having the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) for past employers can also streamline the process.

After submission, the state agency reviews the information to determine monetary eligibility based on past earnings. If monetarily eligible, further review assesses other eligibility requirements, such as the reason for job separation. The process involves a “waiting week,” which is the first week an individual is eligible for benefits, but for which no payment is made.

Maintaining Eligibility and Reporting Requirements

Claimants must request benefit payments every two weeks through the online system. This bi-weekly certification involves answering questions about their ability to work, availability for employment, and efforts to find a job during the specified period.

Actively seeking employment is a core requirement. Claimants in counties with populations of 75,000 or more must make at least five work search contacts each week. For those in less populated counties, the requirement is three work search contacts weekly. Contacts can include submitting applications, attending job fairs, or interviewing for new jobs. Detailed records of these activities must be kept, including dates, methods of contact, and business information.

Individuals must accurately report any earnings from part-time or temporary employment during weeks they claim benefits. Florida law accounts for partial unemployment, reducing benefits by earned income exceeding a certain threshold, typically eight times the federal hourly minimum wage. Failure to accurately report earnings or meet work search requirements can lead to penalties, including disqualification from benefits or the need to repay overpayments.