How to File a Florida Unemployment Claim

Florida's unemployment rate is hovering at about 1 percent higher than the national unemployment rate, and neither percentage looks very good right now. But regardless of what the economy is like, people lose their jobs all the time and could definitely use some unemployment money. States offer unemployment benefits for those who qualify in order to prevent them from losing everything as they seek to get back on their feet.

Before filing, make sure you qualify. Those who are eligible to receive unemployment include those who have been laid off due to no fault of their own. They also need to be seeking a job while unemployed, meet wage requirements based on their previous job and they need to be prepared to accept a job offer, even if they don't like it. Do not assume that the unemployment benefits will continue to come if you show that you're not seeking a job or if you're too particular with what you want to do.

If you file by phone, call 1-800-204-2418, and you should eventually be talking to someone who will help you finish the claim. You can file from 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Do not accept calls or e-mails from anyone who does not work for Florida's Agency for Workforce Innovation. Beware of anyone who tells you that you need to pay a fee for their services. Filing for unemployment should be free.



If you file online, go to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, at www.floridajobs.org. Once you're on the home page, click on "file for Unemployment." The Web site is geared to be self explanatory and should direct you with what you need to do.

Be frugal with what you have. Don't spend all of your unemployment checks. Although receiving unemployment benefits will prevent you from having absolutely no money, it's not made to make you rich, but rather to help you from losing everything within weeks. Be prepared not to receive something immediately - it can take three to four weeks before you get your first check. Also, do not get used to being unemployed and receiving the checks - they do expire after a certain period of time.