The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released their report that showed Florida's unemployment rate of 12 percent in April of 2010. This is lower compared to March unemployment rate at 12.3 percent.The state also gained 37,088 jobs in the said month.http://www.deptofnumbers.com/unemployment/florida/

In Miami-Dade country which is in South Florida, the unemployment rate is at 10.9 percent. This number means that more than 130,000 resident in the said counties are jobless. Broward County on the other hand has an unemployment rate at 10.8 percent that translates to over 105,000 workers without a job. http://cbs4.com/business/unemployment.rate.florida.2.1550549.html

Flagler County experienced the worst with an unemployment rate of 17.1 percent while Liberty County had the lowest unemployment rate of 7.5 percent. http://cbs4.com/business/unemployment.rate.florida.2.1550549.html

According to Amy Baker, the state’s economist, they have projected that it may be a couple of year before Florida will be able to recover and regain its financial foothold and the most until 2019 before Florida will be able to return to a more palatable rate which is 6 percent. http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/workinglife/floridas-unemployment-rate-on-record-breaking-track/1067148

The Senate Ways and Means Committee has briefed on the tough challenge for lawmakers in looking for ways to grapple with a projected $3 billion budge shortfall and 1.1 million jobless statewide. Moreover, the state borrowed more than $1 billion from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits because of the state’s depleted unemployment trust fund. http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/workinglife/floridas-unemployment-rate-on-record-breaking-track/1067148

The number of jobs in Florida is 7,144,300 which is 303,200 lower in January 2010 compared to a year ago. Construction industry is losing most jobs with a cut of 90,700. Other industries that lose jobs over the year include trade, transportation and utilities with 56,600 cuts, professional and business services 44,900 jobs, manufacturing 42,200 jobs, leisure and hospitality 39,700 jobs, financial activities 27,800 jobs, information 13,700, other services with 8,400, and from government with 2,500 job cuts. http://www.floridajobs.org/publications/news_rel/LMS%20Release%2003-10-10.pdf

These job losses are due to weakness in specialty trade contractors, merchant wholesalers of durable goods, employment services, fabricated metal product manufacturing, food services and drinking places, credit intermediation, publishing, membership associations and organization and local government. The only sector who is gaining jobs is the private education and health services. These increases are mainly due to health care and social assistance which created 19,500 more jobs. http://www.floridajobs.org/publications/news_rel/LMS%20Release%2003-10-10.pdf

Liberty County has the lowest unemployment rate at 7.5 in January 2010 followed by Monroe County at 8.2 percent, Leon County 8.5 percent and Alachua County at 8.7. Most of the counties with lowest unemployment rate are those with high proportions of government employment.http://www.floridajobs.org/publications/news_rel/LMS%20Release%2003-10-10.pdf

The highest unemployment rate in Florida as of January 2010 is Flagler County with 17.1 percent followed by Hernando 15.7 percent, Marion County at 15.4 percent, Hardee and St. Lucie counties at 14.9 percent and Citrus County with 14.6 percent. These counties with high unemployment rate experienced ongoing weakness in construction, manufacturing, and financial activities.http://www.floridajobs.org/publications/news_rel/LMS%20Release%2003-10-10.pdf

Florida’s highest historical unemployment rate was 11.9 in January 2010 and has the historical lowest at a rate of 3.3 in May 2006. http://www.bls.gov/web/lauhsthl.htm The highest unemployment rate as of December 2009 is at Ocala city with 14.0 followed by Cape Corral and Fort Myers 13.8, Punta Gorda 13.0, Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce 13.6, Lakeland at 12.8, Tampa, St. Petersburg, & Clearwater with 12.4. http://data.bls.gov/map/servlet/map.servlet.MapToolServlet?state=12&datatype=unemployment&year=2009&period=M12&survey=la&map=msa&seasonal=u

unemployment benefits can be claimed by those residents of the state who find themselves unemployed and in need of money to pay the bills and other debt health or insurance. An individual can file for unemployment in Florida online at the site floridajobs.org or through phone or by visiting the local Florida unemployment offices. Weekly claims can be claimed online at MyFlorida FLUID website. A claimant should verify firsthand that he is eligible to receive compensation and review his application. More information can be find about the Florida unemployment benefits, eligibility, and application process and how to obtain an extension at www.unemploymentflorida.net http://www.unemploymentflorida.net/florida-unemploymentextension.php

Those who qualify for unemployment extension benefits will be paid 80% of the standard unemployment claim and this will be paid out or up to 20 weeks of benefits the most and applies to those who are unemployed beginning November 23, 2008.The amount of the unemployment extension cannot be higher than 20 per cent of the average monthly total number. http://www.unemploymentflorida.net/florida-unemploymentextension.php

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