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2 State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation Unemployment Compensation

3 Change in Service Delivery October 2000 – The Division of Unemployment Compensation was transferred from Florida Department of Labor & Employment Security to the newly created Agency for Workforce Innovation

4 Change in Service Delivery Consolidated service delivery from 90 local offices to 2 Hubs and 1 Call Center Transitioned from in-person claims filing at local offices to remote claim filing by Internet and Telephone. Currently: 50% Internet Claims, 40% Telephone, and 10% Other

5 Orlando Call Center –Information and Assistance Calls Tallahassee Claims Hub –Internet and Telephone Claims Processing and Adjudication Ft. Lauderdale Claims Hub –Internet and Telephone Claims Processing and Adjudication

6 Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Legal Authority: The Stafford Act (Title 42, Chapter 68 of U.S. Code), and 20 CFR 625, Code of Federal Regulations Funding provided by FEMA, and channeled through U.S. Dept. of Labor to the states Administered by state workforce agencies as part of the unemployment compensation program

7 Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) PURPOSE: To provide financial assistance to individuals who become unemployed due to a major disaster (partial income replacement). Intended to assist those who do not qualify for regular unemployment compensation benefits, including self-employed individuals.

8 Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) CHRONOLOGY: Damage assessment by emergency management officials Governor requests and President declares major disaster and designates counties eligible for Individual Assistance State workforce agency issues press release and other media announcements of DUA availability and filing period Agency immediately begins taking and processing DUA claims and issuing payments to eligible individuals

9 Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) ELIGIBILITY: Lived or worked in a declared county Was working at time of disaster (or was scheduled to work) Not eligible for regular unemployment benefits Unemployment is a direct result of disaster Filed timely application for DUA (within 30 days of public announcement)

10 Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) ELIGIBILITY (Continued): For self-employed, benefits calculated based on reported net income Self-employed must provide proof of net income, such as tax return May be required to show proof of employment at time of disaster Must be legal resident, authorized to work in U.S., with valid Social Security Number

11 Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) BENEFITS: Based on earnings for most recent tax year (calendar year 2005) Minimum DUA weekly benefit amount = $113 (if based on full-time work) Maximum DUA weekly benefit amount = $275 (same as regular unemployment max) Benefits begin as of first full week following date of disaster (claim is effective Sunday)

12 Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) BENEFITS (Continued): Payable for up to 26 weeks following disaster If regular unemployment compensation exhausts during assistance period, may be eligible for DUA Evacuees from another state apply for and receive DUA benefits from state where they were working (interstate claim)

13 Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Filing Florida claims and obtaining information (regular unemployment benefits and DUA benefits): Website: or Telephone: or

14 THANK YOU! Questions?