What is Fluid Unemployment?
Fluid unemployment has nothing to do with changing jobs frequently or the changing rate of unemployment. FLUID stands for the FLorida Unemployment Internet Direct Claims program (FLUID).
The state of Florida has begun a program to change its image and rebrand itself not as an agency of “UNEMPLOYMENT” but rather as an agency of “REEMPLOYMENT” thus on July 1, 2012, the Unemployment Compensation Program administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity was renamed the Reemployment Assistance Program they also renamed the Unemployment Appeals Commission the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission (RAAC). Although these name changes sound nice the agency has also instituted a program called “FLUID” to help individuals get easier access to their unemployment benefits.
Thus the FLorida Unemployment Internet Direct Claims program. (FLUID). The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity provides a website that allows you to file claims online. Here is a link to the Florida Internet Claims Filing System. Their phone number is (850) 245-7105.
The FLUID system requires your correct Social Security number, names of previous employers, dates, and gross earnings from these employers and earnings for the current week (if any). In addition, it requires a legitimate form of ID, Union membership information and citizenship or alien registration information, military duty or federal employee information and bank information if you would like to have your checks directly deposited.
The Florida FLUID unemployment system provides for fairly strict punishment if you answer questions fraudulently or give false or misleading information or if you conceal employment (i.e. “work off the books”). It is a third-degree felony punishable by up to $5,000 in fines and five years in jail.
Florida law requires that you complete an online Initial Skills Review and Work Registration to continue eligibility for benefits. The skills review and work registration may assist in matching you with jobs, training, or other services provided by your One-Stop Career Center. Payment of your claim may be delayed or denied if you do not complete the Initial Skills Review and Work Registration prior to making your first report to claim weeks.
Florida law requires that you are actively seeking employment so you are required to contact at least 5 potential employers every week and report contacts online at www.floridajobs.org to continue claiming weekly benefits.
File a Reemployment Assistance Claim– Reemployment Assistance (also called reemployment assistance insurance) provides temporary wage replacement benefits to qualified individuals.
In order to qualify for benefits, you must:
- Have lost your job through no fault of your own.
- Be actively looking for a new job.
- Be ready to take a new job when offered.
- Meet wage requirements based on your previous job(s).
Through the new FLUID system, all reemployment assistance claims must be filed online.
The FLUID system Allows you to:
- Submit proof that you looked for work – Florida law requires that you contact at least five potential employers each week or receive re-employment services from a One-Stop Career Center
- Establish or cancel payment by Florida Visa® debit card
- Establish, change or cancel direct deposit information
- Create or change your PIN
- Get your claim and payment information, Claim your weeks
- When claiming your weeks you can change your address and/or phone number
- Print your tax forms
Steps to File a Reemployment Assistance Claim
- File Online – This process should take approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Your application must be completed within 72 hours and by midnight Saturday, Eastern Time, or your information will be lost and you must restart the FLUID application.
- Receive Confirmation – After you file your claim, you will receive a confirmation that your claim has been received and instructions for the Initial Skills Review. If your claim is approved, your benefits will begin on the day your application is completed. It typically takes three to four weeks to receive your first payment.
- Complete Initial Skills Review – You must complete an initial online skills review in the following subjects: Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information and Locating Information. If you are unable to complete such a review due to illiteracy or because you speak a language other than English, Spanish, or Creole you will be referred to your local One-Stop Career Center for assistance. The results of the review will be used by your local One-Stop Career Center to assist in your job search efforts.
- Claim Your Weeks and Submit Your Work Search Information Online – Even though you have filed a claim online you will still need to “Claim Your Weeks.” You should continue to claim your weeks every two weeks until you are employed or your claim eligibility ends.
See Also:
- What Is U-6 Unemployment?
- What is the Real Unemployment Rate?
- 10 Awesome Jobs You Can Do From Home
- The Difference a Degree Makes in Unemployment Levels
- Choosing a Professional Resume Writing Service
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