Coronavirus Florida: State releases instructions to apply for federal unemployment benefit

According to instructions released this week, workers who were laid off, furloughed or had their hours cut due to the coronavirus pandemic must file for state unemployment benefits before filing for assistance from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, PUA.

The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program provides unemployment benefits to workers who may not otherwise be eligible for benefits in Florida, including independent contractors and people who are self-employed.

Workers whose applications for state benefits were denied may still be eligible for federal benefits. To apply, workers should create or login to the CONNECT account. After answering several questions, workers will then be prompted in CONNECT to file a PUA application.