Florida residents who have lost a job will need to know how to file for unemployment benefits . Losing a job or having hours reduced significantly can be a difficult situation to deal with financially and emotionally. The information in the steps below will help make the process more understandable for those needing to use it.

Becoming unemployed suddenly can be a stressful and worrisome experience. However, if you meet certain requirements, you may be eligible to receive temporary unemployment benefits. Use this information to determine whether you're eligible a for unemployment insurance benefits if you worked in the state of Florida.

The state of Florida offers temporary financial assistance through unemployment insurance for those who worked in the state and meet the necessary monetary and separation requirements. You should contact the State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation either online, via telephone or in person at one of the 24 One-Stop career centers and apply for insurance benefits as soon as you become unemployed. Your application will help the agency determine whether you meet the requirements and how much you are eligible to receive.

To be eligible to receive unemployment insurance in Florida, you must be currently unemployed, or be partially unemployed. Basic requirements are based on the amount of money you made at your last position and the reason you are no longer employed.

Monetary Requirements To be eligible for unemployment benefits in Florida, you must have been employed for a year before you were let go, or four quarters out of the prior five quarter cycles. Additionally, you must have been paid for your work at least two calendar quarters out of the base quarter period. The base period correlates to the quarter cycle. A new base period starts at the beginning of each business quarter in October, January, April and July. Since each new cycle resets your qualifications, it is important to file as soon as possible after being terminated from your position. Additionally, you must have at least $3,400 in earnings during the prior base period and your earnings can't vary significantly. Earnings for your lowest period cannot be less than 150 percent of your highest earning quarter. You don't need to worry about trying to make these calculations yourself, as the application process will make the calculations for you.http://www.floridajobs.org/unemployment/

Separation Requirements To be deemed eligible for unemployment insurance, you must not have separated from your last job due to misconduct. Basically, if you were fired for just cause, you will likely be ineligible for benefits. Also, if you quit your job, without a justifiable reason, you cannot receive benefits. Reason you can quit your job and still receive benefits include disability or illness, a significant problem with the job location or the transfer of your spouse for military related purposes. If in doubt, it is best to apply for benefits to determine your exact eligibility. After you file a claim, the State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation will deem whether you are eligible for unemployment insurance after reviewing information from both you and your employer.http://www.floridajobs.org/unemployment/

Work Eligibility Requirements Eligibility for unemployment benefits also requires that you are able and willing to work. This means you must be actively seeking new employment. You will be required to to keep a record of your job search activities if you are approved for benefits.http://www.floridajobs.org/unemployment/

You should file a claim with the State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. The preferred application method is online. If you do not have access to a computer, you can gain access at a Florida public library, or stop by one of the 24 One-Stop career centers. If these options are not a good match, you can also apply by calling 1-800-204-2418If you are deemed eligible to receive unemployment benefits, there is a one week mandatory waiting period for which you will not be paid. You can file a claim online through the State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, or by calling 1-800-204-2418 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Note that once you begin your online application, it must be completed by midnight on Saturday of the week your are applying and withing 72 hours of when you first start the application, or you will have to start over with your application.https://www2.myflorida.com/fluid/

To file a claim, you will need the following information:

1. Your Social Security Number
2. The names, addresses and phone numbers for all the employers for the the past year and a half.
3. The wages you earned for the week in which you are filing (if applicable)
4. Your drivers license, identification card or other government-issued identification
5. Your Alien Registration Number and date of work permit expiry if you are not a U.S. citizen
6. Your labor union hall number and name if you are a union member
7. Your bank account information if you wish to sign up to have your benefits deposited directly to your account
8. Your SF-50 form or SF-8 form and check stubs or W-2 proof of earnings if you were employed by the government during the two years prior to filing your claim
9. Earnings information from your member 4, DD-214 if you were an active duty member of the U.S. military during the two years prior to filing your claim.https://www2.myflorida.com/fluid/PreDoc.asp?ClmLang=e&ResZip=32065&CtrID=01

If you process your application online, you should receive a confirmation number after finish the final page of the application. If you do not receive a confirmation number, the claim will not be processed as the system does not see your application as completed. If you have problems during the application process, be sure to call 1-800-2418 between 8am and 5pm to correct any issues. If you file over the phone, be sure the agent has confirmed that your application has been completed before getting off the phone.

After your application is submitted, be sure to be contactible at the phone number you list on your unemployment application. If there are any questions, you must be available to answer them in a timely manner to avoid delays in receiving your benefits.

Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive a notification by mail of your unemployment benefits acceptance or denial. If you are accepted, the letter will tell you how much money you will receive on a weekly basis and your requirements for updating your job search activities. Be sure to maintain your status, or you risk losing your benefits. These benefits are only valid for a short period of time, but depending on the circumstances, you may be able to apply for an extension due to economic conditions.https://www2.myflorida.com/fluid/PreDoc.asp?ClmLang=e&ResZip=32065&CtrID=01

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Please contact a finance professional before using the information presented here.