The Florida Senate

Benefits are payable by mail or electronically. Notwithstanding s. 409.942(4), the agency may develop a system for the payment of benefits by electronic funds transfer, including, but not limited to, debit cards, electronic payment cards, or any other means of electronic payment that the agency deems to be commercially viable or cost-effective. Commodities or services related to the development of such a system shall be procured by competitive solicitation, unless they are purchased from a state term contract pursuant to s. 287.056. The agency shall adopt rules necessary to administer the system.

Each claimant must report in the manner prescribed by the Agency for Workforce Innovation to certify for benefits that are paid and must continue to report at least biweekly to receive unemployment benefits and to attest to the fact that she or he is able and available for work, has not refused suitable work, is seeking work, and, if she or he has worked, to report earnings from that work. Each claimant must continue to report regardless of any appeal or pending appeal relating to her or his eligibility or disqualification for benefits.

Wage credits in two or more calendar quarters of the individual’s base period.

Minimum total base period wage credits equal to the high quarter wages multiplied by 1.5, but at least $3,400 in the base period.

Total.—Each eligible individual who is totally unemployed in any week is paid for the week a benefit equal to her or his weekly benefit amount.

Partial.—Each eligible individual who is partially unemployed in any week is paid for the week a benefit equal to her or his weekly benefit less that part of the earned income, if any, payable to her or him for the week which is in excess of 8 times the federal hourly minimum wage. These benefits, if not a multiple of $1, are rounded downward to the nearest full dollar amount.

If the remuneration of an individual is not based upon a fixed period or duration of time or if the individual’s wages are paid at irregular intervals or in a manner that does not extend regularly over the period of employment, the wages for any week or for any calendar quarter for the purpose of computing an individual’s right to employment benefits only are determined in the manner prescribed by rule. These rules, to the extent practicable, must secure results reasonably similar to those that would prevail if the individual were paid her or his wages at regular intervals.