Florida residents seeking to file for unemployment benefits can do so through Florida’s Reemployment Assistance Program CONNECT system. To be eligible for this benefit program, you must a resident of Florida and meet all of the following: be unemployed, have worked in Florida during the past 12 months (this period may be longer in some cases), earned a minimum amount of wages determined by Florida guidelines, and are actively seeking work each week you are collecting benefits.

Before filing, you should have the following information available: Social Security number; driver’s license or State ID number; your employment for the last 18 months including for each employer including gross earnings (before taxes are taken out) during the listed dates, the reason for separation, and Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), which is found on any W2 or 1099 tax forms you have received. If you don’t have the FEIN, you can use employer details off of a recent pay stub.

Once you complete your application, you will be required to complete the following: register for work through Employ Florida; review your monetary determination; keep a record of your weekly job contacts and request benefits biweekly; and review your Home page in Reconnect to complete any open fact-findings and review any important messages on your account.