Unemployment Benefits Extension

It's always hard to find a new job, but when the economy is in a slump, it can be extremely difficult. That is why Florida offers Extended Benefits (EB) to anyone who has exhausted their regular unemployment claim benefits. If you have any questions about unemployment benefits extensions, feel free to call Jacksonville unemployment attorney

If your benefits expire before the end of your "benefit year," you will be automatically evaluated for eligibility to collect extended benefits and a letter will be sent to you regarding your status. If you are approved for EB, you will continue to receive the same weekly benefits, but for half as long as you had earned benefits on your original claim. If you exhaust these benefits, you may not collect unemployment until a year passes since you first began collecting unemployment.

There are more requirements for collecting EB than there are for your first unemployment compensation claim. If you feel you were wrongly denied for Extended Benefits, you may contact a Jacksonville unemployment lawyer and file an appeal within twenty days of receiving your determination letter.

To receive unemployment extended benefits, you must be unemployed and looking for regular work. Additionally, you must:

Be ineligible for unemployment compensation in any other state.
Be actively looking for work twice a week.
Not refuse any suitable work offer.
Provide tangible proof that you have been seeking work. These records must be accurate and up-to-date.

Additionally, unlike your original claim, if you are unable to find work within the first month of EB, you must apply for and accept any work offered to you as long as it pays more than your weekly benefit amount. That means even if you have always worked as an administrative assistant, if you can receive more than your unemployment benefits by working at a fast food restaurant, you must accept the job.

If you decide to take a vacation from job-seeking, or even just don't feel like doing it one week, you may choose to not file for EB for a particular week that you have chosen to not look for work. This will prevent you from being disqualified from the EB program.

Extended Benefits can greatly help a person suffering from an extended period of unemployment. If you were denied from receiving EB, contact a Jacksonville unemployment compensation lawyer to discuss your options. We have helped hundreds of clients just like you and we understand the stress you feel as your money remains tight. If you have any questions for this experienced Jacksonville unemployment attorney, contact us today to set up your free initial consultation.