Unemployment Compensation Benefits and Appeals

You may be eligible for unemployment benefits in Florida if you involuntarily lost your job (rather than quit) and you meet the requirements required under Florida law. The main requirement is that you were not terminated for “misconduct” as defined by Florida law, which may be different from your employer’s opinion.  You also must have earned enough wages prior to your job loss to qualify, and you must be able to work, willing to work, and actively looking for a new job.

Florida workers can apply for unemployment benefits online through Florida’s CONNECT system.  https://connect.myflorida.com

Florida unemployment pays a weekly benefit amount based on the worker’s past earnings. In 2025, the maximum weekly benefit is $275 per week, and benefits typically last up to 12 weeks in most cases.

Yes. Florida law requires all workers receiving unemployment benefits to prove they are actively seeking work. Workers must apply for at least 5 jobs per week and report their job search efforts each week through CONNECT.

It depends. You may still qualify for unemployment compensation in Florida if you were fired for a reason other than “misconduct” as defined by Florida statutes. Misconduct that will prevent a Florida worker from qualifying for unemployment compensation includes:

• Serious disregard for your employer’s interests: Doing something on purpose that goes against your employer’s reasonable expectations or rules.
• Deliberate wrongdoing: Examples include intentionally breaking company rules, damaging property worth more than $50, or stealing from the employer, customers, or visitors.
• Repeated carelessness: Being careless or negligent over and over in a way that shows you do not care about your job duties or your employer’s interests.
• Attendance problems: Frequently being late or missing work on purpose, especially after being warned or reprimanded about it.
• Breaking state regulations or license standards: Knowingly violating a law or rule that applies to your job when your employer is licensed or certified by the state, if that could cause the employer to lose its license or be punished.
• Violating company policies: Breaking an employer’s rule, unless you did not know about the rule, the rule was unfair or unrelated to the job, or the rule was not enforced equally for everyone.
• Serious on-the-job misconduct: This can include assaulting another employee or customer, or abusing or neglecting someone in your professional care like a patient, resident, or child.

However, if you were fired due to a personality conflict, the job not being a good fit, or poor performance, you typically can qualify for benefits, even if your employer says you were fired for “cause.” 

The Florida Department of Commerce (not your former employer) will determine if your conduct was bad enough to disqualify you for benefits.

Generally, quitting makes you ineligible for unemployment benefits unless you can show “good cause” attributable to the employer or a constructive discharge.

Examples of good cause may include:

• Unsafe working conditions
• Significant, unexpected cut in pay or hours
• Harassment or discrimination not addressed by the employer

Even if you only worked part-time, you could still qualify for unemployment benefits so long as you earned the minimum number of work credits over the past quarters. Your benefit amount will be calculated based upon your earnings. 

Once you get a new job, your unemployment benefits will be reduced or may end completely. It depends on how much you are earning.  

If your part-time income is less than your weekly benefit, you may still get partial benefits. If your earnings exceed your benefit amount, you will not be paid that week.

Yes. Unemployment benefits are considered taxable income under federal law. You can choose to have 10% withheld from your weekly payments for federal taxes.

If your application for unemployment benefits is denied, you will be notified of the reason you were denied, and of your right to appeal. Typically, you must request an appeal within 20 days of the denial notice. Once you request an appeal, you will be given a date for your appeal hearing. Appeal hearings are typically held by telephone. 

Prior to the hearing, you have the right to request evidence to help you present your appeal.  

At the hearing, the referee begins by explaining the purpose of the hearing and the procedures. You and any witnesses will be sworn in under oath. You will have a chance to present your side. You and your witnesses may be questioned by the appeals referee, and the representative for your employer can “cross-examine” you and your witnesses as well. Then your employer will have the chance to present their side. 

After the hearing, the referee will issue a written decision that includes the applicable legal standards, findings of fact and the referee’s decision. 

If you or your employer disagrees with that decision, you may appeal to the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission within 20 days.

Yes. Florida workers have the right to have a lawyer represent them at the Florida unemployment appeal hearing. An attorney can help you understand the legal standards for “misconduct,” gather and present evidence, question witnesses, and make sure your rights are protected during the process. Because the outcome often depends on how the facts and law are presented, having legal representation can improve your chances of a fair and favorable decision.