John Willoughby
reporter2@greenepublishing.com
Over four percent of Americans are unemployed and a majority of the blame rests on the shoulders of COVID-19 as the virus covers all of Florida and continues to strike the country at alarming rates.
With Florida feeling some of the impacts, the number of unemployed residents of the Sunshine State continues to grow steadily and assistance is normally only a click away … but, there's one hurdle. The reemployment assistance system seems to be overloaded.
Because Florida's CONNECT system has been difficult to access, likely due to a large volume of users, CareerSource North Florida is working closely with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to get Floridians the assistance they need while laid off or furloughed.
If you are a Florida resident who is seeking assistance through DEO during your time of unemployment, paper applications may be picked up directly outside of CareerSource North Florida.
This approach by DEO is an attempt to help steer traffic away from CONNECT, allowing it to free up and work as it should for those who choose to complete their application online. "The less traffic, the better the people can make their claims," said CareerSource North Florida's Diane Head.
Despite being closed to the public, CareerSource North Florida is offering pre-addressed and stamped envelopes along with the applications. Therefore, when your application is complete, it can be placed into your mailbox or dropped off at the local post office to be sent to DEO. There, your application will be processed into Florida's CONNECT system in a timely manner. Applicants should expect a phone call to proceed with access benefits if made available.
If you're unable to make it downtown to pick up a paper copy, but have access to internet and a printer, applications are also made available online at www.careersourcenorthflorida.com/reemployment-assistance/.
Prior to filing for your reemployment assistance benefits, formerly known as unemployment compensation, ensure your application includes your social security number, driver's license or state identification number and your employment history (including the last 18 months, with information regarding employer, gross earnings and the reason for separation).
Paper applications will be available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Staff may be contacted via phone at (850) 973-9675. While no staffers are currently working at their downtown office, they remain steadfast and ready to help you. The Madison office of CareerSource North Florida is located in the Pic-N-Sav shopping center, at 705 E Base St., in Madison.