Friends,

Over this past weekend, the Department of Economic Opportunity was able to increase benefit payments by 600%. The total benefit payments have now surpassed $523 million, reaching 392,051 people.

However, it has not gone unnoticed that there is a large percentage of total applicants deemed ineligible for benefits.

There may be several reasons for this determination to be made, but a great number are those folks who are independent contractors, GIG workers, and self-employed.

These individuals are still eligible for Federal funds under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program highlighted in the CARES Act. If you have applied, be on the lookout for communications from DEO in your inbox.

Please find below details on DEO's official announcement and share it with anyone who may find this information helpful!

Sincerely ,
James Buchanan
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program

For those who are self-employed, contract employees, or gig workers who have applied for the state’s Reemployment Assistance:

Applied on or before April 4, 2020:

Apply at  www.FloridaJobs.org  and select “File a Claim” to request PUA.

Applied on or after April 5, 2020 :

If you were deemed ineligible for state reemployment assistance benefits, you will receive additional application information from the Department of Economic Opportunity.

For those who have not applied yet:

Apply at  www.FloridaJobs.org  and you will be considered for all existing programs, including PUA.

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Office of Representative James Buchanan
941-429-4561
5900 Pan American Blvd,
North Port, FL 34286
Building A, Unit #102