Unemployment Compensation

Unemployment compensation (UC) provides partial, temporary income to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own and are able and available for work. 

Eligibility

Employees who lose their jobs through no fault of their own or have their work hours reduced against their wishes may be eligible for UC benefits.

 An important exception is that students are not eligible for UC benefits.Students are defined as student assistants, graduate assistants, pre- and post-doctoral fellows, and residents. Wages earned through any student employment while enrolled at UF are statutorily exempt from benefit consideration per Florida Statute 443.1216(2).

How to apply for unemployment benefits

Reemployment assistance benefits, formally known as unemployment compensation, can be filed online through the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)

Apply through Department of Economic Opportunity (click for link)

Payment of Benefits

Who pays for UC benefits at the University of Florida?
The University of Florida is classified as a Reimbursable Employer, which means that the state Department of Revenue (DOR) pays the university’s unemployment compensation charges as they occur. DOR then bills the university quarterly for those charges and the university reimburses the agency.

When does an individual start receiving UC Benefits?
Florida law requires every individual to serve one waiting week during which no UC benefits are paid. This waiting week is the first week that an individual files a claim and meets all eligibility requirements. An eligible claimant generally receives his or her first check three to four weeks after filing the initial claim and meeting all eligibility requirements.

How much money will an individual receive each week while on unemployment compensation?
If an individual is found to be eligible, the amount of her unemployment check will be between $32 and $275 per week, based on her previous earnings. An individual’s work history determines the duration of her benefit eligibility

Denial of Benefits

Can a current/former university employee be denied Unemployment Compensation Benefits?
Yes. A current/former university employee may be denied benefits if he:

• Quit his job with the university, and the university was the last employer
• Was suspended/discharged for misconduct as defined by the UC Law
• Is on a leave of absence that he requested
• Received wages in lieu of notice of termination
• Is not able to, available for, and actively seeking work
• Knowingly makes a false statement to obtain benefits
• Received wages while enrolled as a student

Fraudulent Activity Information

In February of 2021, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) expanded their partnership with ID.me, to help keep Floridians’ identities secure from fraudulent activity and bolster current fraud prevention measures.  Any new claimant filing for Reemployment Assistance will need to verify their identity through ID.me. In addition, the DEO needs your help preventing Reemployment Assistance fraud and abuse and to ensure that Reemployment Assistance benefits only go to eligible claimants.

To report any cases of fraud, please contact DEO:
The Fraud Hotline at 1-800-342-9909. The DEO information at 1-833-352-7759, extension 4, Monday-Friday between 7:30a-6:30p EST.  Via the Online Fraud Form.

Online Fraud Form      Fraud FAQs

If you receive a check from DEO for an unemployment claim you did not submit, please write VOID, across the front, make a copy for your records and then return this payment/check to the address below:

The Department of Economic Opportunity
Benefit Payment Control
P.O. Drawer 5050
Tallahassee, FL 32314-5050

Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) contact information is 1-833-352-7759, Monday through Friday from 7:30a-6:30p EST.

How can I protect myself from becoming a victim of Identity Theft?
There are multiple ways you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of Identity Theft.

View Florida’s Identity Theft Victim Kit.

You can also find resources at https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central

Please alert UFHR Unemployment Compensation at (352) 392-6615, as soon as you suspect any fraudulent activity.

Additional Resources

UF Employee Assistance Program (EAP) website https://www.eap.ufl.edu/
UF Careers website: https://jobs.ufl.edu/