The first step is to be denied benefits from the state of Florida. Then Realtors, independent contractors and self-employed will be notified on how to apply for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). 

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) published a step-by-step guide — with screenshots of the online portal —to help independent contractors and self-employed individuals apply for federal unemployment benefits, referred to as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). 

The release of this guidance is significant news for Realtors because it means the system is now capable of accepting PUA applications — but only if you’ve been denied state benefits first. As stated at the beginning of the online guide, denial of state benefits is a critical step in getting access to the PUA application in the unemployment system. 

Per DEO, if you submitted an unemployment application on or before April 4, you need to apply again. If you submitted an application on or after April 5, you DO NOT need to reapply. In both cases, you will be denied state benefits once they process your application. 

After you’re denied state benefits, you will either receive a notification within the system to apply for PUA benefits, or DEO will contact you directly with instructions. Once that happens, you will be able to follow a step-by-step guide published by DEO to complete and submit your PUA application.

A helpful summary and FAQ of the PUA application process can be found here. Additionally, DEO will be paying benefits retroactively from when you became eligible under the CARES Act, as outlined in their COVID-19 resource guide (independent contractor question is on page 11).

The CARES Act provides two forms of unemployment benefits:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): $275 in weekly benefits for 39 weeks for individuals who are self-employed, independent contractors, certain non-profit employees and gig economy workers, as well as individuals working part-time or who otherwise would not qualify for regular state Reemployment Assistance benefits under state or federal law. 

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): An additional $600 a week for unemployment beginning March 29, 2020, and ends the week ending July 25, 2020.

The links throughout this story, as well as additional information such as documentation requirements, can be found on DEO’s CARES Act website. 

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