How to File for Unemployment in Florida
Florida runs its unemployment program, officially called Reemployment Assistance, entirely online through the state's Reconnect system administered by FloridaCommerce — there's no general phone-in filing option, just a translation line for people who need language help completing the online form.
Updated July 2026
What You'll Need
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1
Gather your paperwork first
Have your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and 18 months of employer details (including each employer's FEIN from a W-2 or 1099) ready before you start.
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2
Set up your Reconnect account
If you haven't filed in Florida before, or haven't logged into Reconnect since September 2021, you'll need to create a new login and pass a multi-factor identity check.
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3
Submit your application online
File through the Reconnect portal, listing every employer from the past 18 months — missing or wrong employer info is one of the biggest causes of delayed payments.
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4
Review your monetary determination
After you apply, check the monetary determination letter in your Reconnect dashboard to see your estimated weekly benefit amount.
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5
Register for work through Employ Florida
Most claimants must complete work registration on Employ Florida unless they qualify for an exemption.
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6
Request benefits every two weeks
Log back into Reconnect every other week to request payment, keep a record of your job contacts, and respond promptly to any fact-finding requests posted to your dashboard.
File Your Claim
Verified against the official Florida unemployment agency site. View source
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