The Florida Senate

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, an individual claiming benefits may not be charged fees of any kind in any proceeding under this chapter by the commission or the Agency for Workforce Innovation, or their representatives, or by any court or any officer of the court. An individual claiming benefits in any proceeding before the commission or the Agency for Workforce Innovation, or representatives of either, or a court may be represented by counsel or an authorized representative, but the counsel or representative may not charge or receive for those services more than an amount approved by the commission, the Agency for Workforce Innovation, or the court.

An attorney at law representing a claimant for benefits in any district court of appeal of this state or in the Supreme Court of Florida is entitled to counsel fees payable by the Agency for Workforce Innovation as set by the court if the petition for review or appeal is initiated by the claimant and results in a decision awarding more benefits than provided in the decision from which appeal was taken. The amount of the fee may not exceed 50 percent of the total amount of regular benefits permitted under s. 443.111(5)(a) during the benefit year.

The Agency for Workforce Innovation shall pay attorneys’ fees awarded under this section from the Employment Security Administration Trust Fund as part of the costs of administration of this chapter and may pay these fees directly to the attorney for the claimant in a lump sum. The Agency for Workforce Innovation or the commission may not pay any other fees or costs in connection with an appeal.

Any person, firm, or corporation who or which seeks or receives any remuneration or gratuity for any services rendered on behalf of a claimant, except as allowed by this section and in an amount approved by the Agency for Workforce Innovation, the commission, or a court, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.