Unemployment Resources

Although WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA is not the unemployment office, we can connect you to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Unemployment Compensation Office to file a claim. Unemployment Compensation (also called unemployment insurance) provides temporary wage benefits to qualified individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own. 
 
Please note that WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA staff members are not employed by Florida’s Unemployment Compensation System and therefore cannot determine or offer opinions on anyone’s eligibility for benefits.  WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA can provide computer, Internet, phone and fax access so that you can apply for and make inquiries about their eligibility for and receipt of unemployment compensation benefits.
 
You may contact the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Unemployment Compensation office the following ways:
  • Internet - To file your claim online, claim your weeks or for information about unemployment compensation click here.  This link allows Florida's citizens and former Florida workers to file claims for unemployment insurance.  The online system is available 24 hours, 7 days a week, but please note that you may only claim weeks Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
     
  • Phone - For questions about unemployment compensation, you may call the unemployment compensation hotline at 800-204-2418 between the hours of Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.  PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MAY NO LONGER FILE A CLAIM OR CLAIM WEEKS BY PHONE.  Please note that the hotline's busiest days are Monday and Tuesday.  The best time to reach an unemployment compensation agent is Wednesday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
 
Filing a Claim
 
To file a claim, visit https://www2.myflorida.com/fluid/.  It will take 30 minutes to one hour to complete the claim. Before filing your claim, make sure you have the following information available:
  1. Your correct Social Security Number.
  2. The names, addresses and phone numbers of all your employers in the last 18 months.
  3. The dates you worked and total income from each employer.
  4. Earnings for this week since 12:01 a.m. Sunday.
  5. Driver's license or state identification card number, voter registration number or other type of ID that could verify your identity.
  6. The name and local number of your labor union hall, if applicable.
  7. If not a U.S. citizen, your Alien Registration Number and work permit expiration date.
  8. Your DD-214 form, if you were in the military within the last two years.
  9. SF-50 form or SF-8 form and check stubs or W-2 proof of earnings (if you are a federal employee) unemployment compensation.
Please note that all unemployment compensation claimants are required to make contact with five potential employers or meet with a WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA re-employment specialist and participate in one re-employment service on a weekly basis.  Click here to schedule an appointment with a re-employment specialist. 
 
For information about your claim or to speak to a representative, call (800) 204-2418.