As if losing your job or income was not bad enough on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, but for weeks Floridians have been struggling to file unemployment claims. While it was a blessing the Federal legislation was passed to help Floridians financially struggling, and the aid goes well beyond typical unemployment benefits, too many individuals have not even been able to apply. This is because the system Florida used for unemployment claims was broken before the pandemic and did not have the technological capacity to handle the thousands of citizens applying each day.
During normal times, only a few persons at a time need aid to help get them on their feet between jobs. What we are going through now has not taken out a few jobs or companies, it has colapsed whole indistries. And for the good of our country, it is necessary for most people to stay at home to avoid further spread of the virus.
Well, finally, it seems we may have true good news that will at least begin the process of getting the unemployeed or forloughed individuals money in their pockets.
The state just announced that Floridians can now download a paper application to file for unemployment as the state’s computer system continues to bog down because of the number of workers now jobless due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The agency chief apologizes for system woes amid coronavirus pandemic Additionally, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said FedEx Office is making paper applications available at more than 100 of its locations in Florida. DeSantis tweeted late Monday:
“I appreciate @FedEx’s willingness to help Floridians in a time of need. Starting today, over 100 @FedEx storefronts throughout the state are providing free printing and mailing of reemployment assistance applications.”
Paper applications are also being handled at CareerSource Florida locations, and the state Department of Economic Opportunity is working with local governments to expand the use of paper applications. Applications should be filled out and mailed back to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
If you want to download applications, see the links below:
To get paper application in English:
To get paper application En Español:
To get paper application in Creole:
Other helpful links:
- For the paper application information page, visit: http://www.floridajobs.org/Reemployment-Assistance-Service-Center/reemployment-assistance/claimants/rapaperapplication.
- For information about Florida’s unemployment program and to apply online, visit: http://www.floridajobs.org/Reemployment-Assistance-Service-Center/reemployment-assistance/claimants/rapaperapplication.
Miami-Dade locations to pickup physical forms:
Miami-Dade County decided to go one step further by handing out printed applications in person at local libraries on Tuesday. At least at the time of writing this post, applications can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 7. For morn information on participating locations and details, refer to the April 7, 2020 Press Release: https://www.mdpls.org/news/press-releases/2020/mdpls-to-provide-reemployment-assistance-applications.asp
Below is a list of the 26 library locations where residents may be able to pick up an application:
| Allapattah Branch 1799 NW 35 Street Miami, FL 33142 | Arcola Lakes Branch 8240 NW 7 Avenue Miami, FL 33150 | California Club Branch 700 Ives Dairy Road Miami, FL 33179 |
| Coconut Grove Branch 2875 McFarlane Road Miami, FL 33133 | Concord Branch 3882 SW 112 Avenue Miami, FL 33165 | Coral Reef Branch 9211 SW 152 Street Miami, FL 33157 |
| Country Walk Branch 15433 SW 137 Avenue Miami, FL 33177 | Edison Center Branch 531 NW 62 Street Miami, FL 33150 | Fairlawn Branch 6376 SW 8 Street West Miami, FL 33144 |
| Golden Glades Branch 100 NE 166 Street Miami, FL 33162 | Hialeah Gardens Branch 11300 NW 87 Court Hialeah Gardens, FL 33018 | Hispanic Branch Library 1398 SW 1 Street Miami, FL 33135 |
| Homestead Branch 700 N. Homestead Boulevard Homestead, FL 33030 | International Mall Branch 10315 NW 12 Street Doral, FL 33172 | Kendale Lakes Branch 15205 SW 88 Street Miami, FL 33196 |
| Miami Beach Regional Library 227 22nd Street Miami Beach, FL 33139 | Miami Lakes Branch 6699 Windmill Gate Road Miami Lakes, FL 33014 | Naranja Branch 14850 SW 280 Street Miami, FL 33032 |
| North Dade Regional Library 2455 NW 183 Street Miami Gardens, FL 33056 | North Shore Branch 7501 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33141 | Northeast Dade – Aventura Branch 2930 Aventura Boulevard Aventura, FL 33180 |
| Palm Springs North Branch 17601 NW 78 Avenue Hialeah, FL 33015 | South Miami Branch 6000 Sunset Drive Miami, FL 33143 | West Dade Regional Library 9445 Coral Way Miami, FL 33165 |
| West Flagler Branch 5050 West Flagler Street Miami, FL 33134 | West Kendall Regional Library 10201 Hammocks Boulevard Miami, FL 33196 |
As last week, 227,000 Floridians applied for unemployment benefits and applicants reported having trouble using the Department of Economic Opportunity’s website and phone line, the newest response by the state is sure to help many struggling individuals and families.
While I am an attorney and I practice employment and discrimination law, I do not practice unemployment law, which has its own separate procedures and laws. I simply wanted to provide helpful resources for my community as so many friends and clients have been effected. Information is subject to change and may not be updated. Stay well.
