Florida Unemployment Eligibility
Florida unemployment eligibility is determined through two primary means. Knowing whether you are eligible in your specific case depends on completing claims paperwork through Florida’s department of labor to determine your Florida unemployment eligibility.
Monetary Eligibility
The first major test is whether you worked enough during the base period to be “monetarily eligible” for unemployment benefits. The base period includes the previous five quarters of work. In general, for Florida unemployment eligibility, you need to have worked for at least two full quarters of that time. You also must look at the total you earned during your highest-earning quarter. Your total income for the base period must be at least twice what you earned in that high-earning period. Other requirements apply as well, such as a minimum amount made during the base period. This amount changes from time to time as the regulations are reviewed.
Separation Eligibility
Florida unemployment eligibility also hinges on how and why the employee and employee split ways. If the employee loses her job for no fault of her own, such as an ending to seasonal work or layoffs, then separation eligibility is automatic. In other cases, the caseworker assigned to the claim must determine whether there is a qualifying reason. Employees fired for misconduct are not eligible for benefits, and in most cases, employees who quit their jobs are not eligible, though there are some exceptions to that rule. Anyone seeking unemployment benefits also must be available to work at any time to continue to receive benefits.
Because of recent legal changes, Florida unemployment eligibility has been extended. Many people not previously eligible now can receive extended benefits. Because of the economic crisis, it is to your benefit to apply for unemployment benefits even if you believe you cannot get them because of rapid changes in regulations.