Florida’s work-search requirement for unemployment benefits returns

ORLANDO, Fla. — Starting this week, any Floridian claiming unemployment benefits must also actively look for a job.

The state’s work search requirement, which had been waived throughout the pandemic, went back into effect at the end of May.

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“Those who are collecting unemployment, you are going to be required to be searching for a job, searching for work and abiding by the work-search requirements,” said Dane Eagle, the head of Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity. “The goal here is to help everyone find employment.”

Under the requirements, anyone claiming unemployment in Florida must look for at least five jobs every week; applicants must also show up for interviews and accept an offered job.

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“There’s going to be a tool for employers to report if someone is not abiding by the requirements, if they’re not showing it for an interview or refusing suitable work, then they will no longer be able to receive unemployment benefits,” Eagle said.

The reimplementation of the work-search requirements comes one week after the state announced that it would be ending the $300 a week in extra federal unemployment assistance at the end of June.

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VIDEO: Changes coming to Florida unemployment benefits, many Floridians still owed and locked out