Unemployment benefits (also called reemployment assistance) in Florida are for more than just workers who are laid off from their jobs. Can you collect unemployment insurance benefits if you quit in Florida? Yes, you can, but you must fulfill several eligibility requirements and have a strong argument in your favor before you can cash in on a claim. At Brenton Legal, PA, we can give you a no-nonsense review of your case and craft relevant arguments to help you receive the financial assistance you deserve while you are between jobs.
Who Is Entitled to Unemployment Benefits?
Do you get unemployment benefits if you quit? Well, that depends on many factors. A Florida worker is not eligible for unemployment payments unless the following prerequisites apply to them:
- They are able and available to work;
- They are a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or someone who is permanently living in the U.S. under appearance of law;
- They are totally or partially unemployed;
- Their unemployment is not the result of their misconduct; and
- They earned at least $3,400 during the unemployment benefit base period.
There are other details to these prerequisites that you might need to discuss with a knowledgeable attorney so that you can put yourself in the best position to receive benefits.
And once you have established that you meet the minimum requirements for unemployment benefits, there are several steps you need to follow to remain eligible, such as:
- Submitting an initial online claim for benefits,
- Actively seeking a job,
- Participating in reemployment services, and
- Waiting a week after filing your claim.
Speaking to an attorney before embarking on a claim for reemployment assistance in Florida can keep you ready for the obligations you might have to fulfill to receive financial help.
How to Get Unemployment Benefits If You Quit
If you have voluntarily left your job and are seeking unemployment, you can still have access to those benefits if you prove that you quit your job for a “good cause.” Florida law defines good cause as a circumstance that would make a reasonable person leave their job or an illness or disability that would compel an individual to quit. If you leave under any of the following circumstances, you might have a right to request reemployment assistance benefits in Florida:
- You were subjected to harassment,
- Your employer discriminated against you,
- You were in a hostile work environment,
- You have a condition or injury that blocks you from fulfilling your job obligations,
- You were the subject of unreasonable job transfers or assignments, or
- You needed to quit because of extenuating life circumstances.
And if you must leave your job because of your spouse’s need to relocate for military purposes, you still have access to unemployment benefits.
However, some reasons for quitting can seem perfectly reasonable but can disqualify you from getting unemployment benefits. If one of the following is the reason that you have left your job, or if one of the following occurs after you quit, you could be barred from receiving reemployment assistance:
- You are receiving retirement benefits from the employer that paid you during your base period;
- You are participating in an active labor dispute;
- You are receiving workers’ compensation disability benefits;
- You were incarcerated during an unemployment period; or
- Instead of severance pay or notice that is applicable to a claim week, you are receiving payments that are as much as or greater than your weekly unemployment benefits.
If one of the above-listed circumstances applies in your case, consult with an attorney before submitting a claim or throwing in the towel. An attorney can help you obtain assistance when your prospects look grim and keep you from wasting your time on a fruitless claim.
What Kinds of Benefits Can I Receive Under Florida’s Reemployment Assistance Program?
If you get approval to receive unemployment benefits in Florida, you receive a fraction of your regular pay while you look for other work. There is plenty of math involved in determining the amount of your benefits. Your benefits are 1/26th of your high quarter wages. And approved claimants receive between $32 and $275 a week or between $3,300 and $6,325 total, depending on what they have made in a quarter and what the unemployment rate is. A skilled attorney can present your wage and work history in the best light to help ensure that you receive all the assistance available to you in an unemployment case.
Can I Appeal a Denied Claim?
Yes. If the state rejects your claim, you can appeal the denial. You have to submit your appeal within 20 days from the date the Department of Economic Opportunity mails its denial letter to you. Your appeal will likely need to include specific reasons why you are eligible for benefits and why the rejection of your claim was wrong. To utilize your appeal opportunity well, you will probably need attorney help.
What Disqualifies You from Unemployment in Florida?
Florida disqualifies unemployment claims if you resign without good cause, are fired for work-related misconduct, or reject suitable job offers.
You may be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits in Florida if:
- Monetary Ineligibility: You don’t have enough wages in the base period (the last five completed calendar quarters).
- Still Working: You are currently employed or earning more than $275 per week while partially unemployed.
- Availability Issues: You are not able or available to accept work if a job opportunity arises.
How Long Do You Have To File For Unemployment After Losing Your Job In Florida?
Begin the Reemployment Assistance claims process within one week of becoming unemployed to start receiving benefits promptly. The completion date of your application sets your benefit start date.
Brenton Legal Can Give You the Professional Support You Deserve
Am I entitled to unemployment benefits if I quit? We can answer your question at Brenton Legal. Each case is different, and our experienced employment law attorneys can review the details of your case and give you straightforward information about your options after a job separation and your likelihood of success in an unemployment benefits claim.
We are passionate about making sure that members of the Florida workforce receive the protections they deserve under state and federal laws, so we do not seek payment from our clients unless we win for them. We have more than a decade of combined experience, and we are respected by our clients and peers. If you need a skilled advocate to protect your livelihood, we are the attorneys to call. You can reach us online or call us at 954-639-4644 to schedule a free consultation.
Ryan Brenton
Ryan Brenton, the founding partner of Brenton Legal PA, is a distinguished employment lawyer with a profound experience in a variety of employment disputes. His practice encompasses complex litigation, wage and hour class action cases, and discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims. Representing a diverse clientele, from minimum wage workers to executives, Ryan has successfully argued cases in both state and federal courts, as well as in administrative proceedings. His legal acumen has earned him a national reputation and respect from clients and peers alike. A graduate of Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, and holding a B.S. in Economics from Florida Atlantic University, Ryan's legal prowess is underpinned by a solid educational foundation. His commitment to justice and fairness in the workplace marks him as a trusted advocate in the field of employment law.
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