TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida's jobless workers are facing additional hurdles to qualify for state unemployment compensation.
Several new requirements go into effect Monday under a law passed this year to help reduce unemployment taxes paid by businesses.
Claimants will be required to contact at least five potential employers or else meet with a state reemployment services representative each week.
They'll also have to complete a skills review over the Internet to qualify for benefits.
Starting Monday, unemployed workers must use the Internet to file initial and continued claims. That change alone is expected to save $4.7 million annually.
Also, if claimants' severance pay for a week equals or exceeds their benefits for that week they will not get the compensation.
Severance pay, though, will not affect their total benefits.
