Nearly 270,000 independent contractors, many of whom are Realtors®, are receiving their unemployment benefits – totaling approximately $286 million in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits.*

Additionally, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) will continue waiving the work search and work registration requirements for claimants through August 1, 2020. The waiting week requirement will also continue to be waived through August 1, 2020.

For continued reference, here are the steps for applying for PUA in Florida.

If you applied for state benefits on or before April 4 you must: 

1. Go to CONNECT and apply for state benefits again.

2. Wait for DEO to deny you state benefits.

3. Once you get denied, check your CONNECT inbox for instructions about PUA.

If you applied for state benefits after April 4 you must:

1. Wait for DEO to deny you state benefits.

2. Once you get denied, check your CONNECT inbox for instructions about PUA.

In both of the above cases, you will not get access to the PUA application until DEO has processed your state benefits application and denied you state benefits. Only then will access to the PUA application appear in the CONNECT system.

Once Realtors® are denied state benefits and receive access to the PUA application, they can refer to this guide and/or this video for assistance as they fill it out. These resources, and much more can be found on DEO’s CARES Act website. You can also always refer to Florida Realtors® Q&A website on this topic.

Source: Florida Realtors®

*According to the DEO unemployment dashboard, as of July 9th.