The application process for Florida’s Reemployment Assistance (RA) program can be complex and confusing, especially for those who have found themselves out of work and in need of financial help for the first time. Filing a claim with RA requires an in-depth knowledge of the rules and regulations associated with this program. Here are the basic steps required to claim benefits from the RA program.
Gather All Necessary Information
Before beginning the application process, individuals claiming these benefits will need to compile a list of previous employers, employment dates and positions held. This information will be necessary to answer the questions posed during the application process.
Register for Work
Before filing a claim for RA benefits, unemployed individuals must first complete an online work registration process with Employ Florida Marketplace. Some applicants may be exempt from this step of the process because of language barriers, disabilities, legal prohibitions, non-residency and employment-related factors that include the following:
- Participation in certain short-term compensation programs
- Temporary layoff from ongoing employment
- Union membership status
After registering for work with the Employ Florida Marketplace, claimants must actively seek employment throughout the period in which they receive benefits to remain eligible for the RA initiative.
Apply Online
RA claimants are required to apply for benefits online through the CONNECT system. Some individuals are exempt from filing online:
- Those who cannot read or write in English, Spanish or Creole
- People with disabilities that prevent them from using a computer
- Claimants who are legally proscribed from using computers
These individuals can request help from the Employ Florida Marketplace to complete their claims. The application process typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. The CONNECT system resets each Saturday at midnight Eastern Time; applicants are advised that if they cannot complete their application before this reset, the data entered will be lost and they will be required to restart the process from the beginning.
Complete a Skills Assessment
Florida CareerSource Centers offer skills assessment testing to help unemployed individuals determine the best job choices for their particular needs. Participation is voluntary; however, the information provided from these assessments can often prove useful in selecting a new career or finding short-term employment solutions best suited to the applicant’s needs.
Claim Benefits
Once the application process is complete, RA participants are required to claim the weeks for which they are entitled to benefits. The state of Florida requires that recipients of RA benefits renew their claims every two weeks until they find employment or become otherwise ineligible for this financial assistance.
Maintaining absolute accuracy for all information provided is essential to ensure that applicants receive the correct amount of benefits through RA. Misrepresenting or omitting any facts can result in prosecution for fraud and ineligibility for the program until all funds have been repaid to the state of Florida.