More on Reemployment Assistance

The state of Florida is making important changes to the former Unemployment Insurance Program, including its name: it is now called the Reemployment Assistance Program.

These are the changes below which went into effect in July and August of 2011:

• As of July 1, 2011, you will have two options for receiving benefits: by debit card or by direct deposit to your bank account. Paper checks will no longer be issued.  Please note that individuals who were receiving (Reemployment Assistance) benefits by check prior to July 1, 2011, may continue to receive benefits by check until the end of the claim.
• As of August 1, 2011, initial unemployment claims and continued claims must be made through the unemployment compensation (now Reemployment Assistance) website at http://floridajobs.org/RA
• Initial claims and continued claims may no longer be filed by phone or through the mail.
• Effective August 1, 2011, unemployment compensation (now Reemplopyment Assistance) claimants MUST participate in an online skills review to be eligible to receive benefits. Failure to complete the skills review will result in denial of benefits until the review is complete.  Persons with language barriers or disabilities may be agency assisted by calling the hotline 1-800-204-2418.
• As of August 1, Reemployment Assistance claimants will be REQUIRED to make contact with five potential employers weekly, or meet with a Brevard Workforce Staffing Specialist  for re-employment services once for each week being certified. Failure to meet and document one of these requirements may result in loss of Reemployment Assitance benefits.

Brevard Workforce offers job seekers the following services: resume coaching, advanced labor market information, details on services that can help you with your job search and job leads. Call 504-7600 toll free in Brevard to schedule an appointment or visit one of our locations at Career Centers.

Please note that Brevard Workforce staff members are not employed by Florida’s Unemployment Compensation System (now Reemployment Insurance System) and cannot determine or offer eligibility for benefits.

You can read more about these and other Reemployment Assistance changes at the Agency for Workforce Innovation website.

See this special publication: TOP TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW…ABOUT THE REEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SYSSTEM WHEN FILING A CLAIM at this link.