Florida Unemployment Benefits 2026

Appeal Deadlines

Filing deadline: 20 calendar days from the determination date

According to Florida Statutes § 443.151(4), appeals must be filed within 20 calendar days of the date shown on the determination notice, not the date the claimant received the notice.

Critical timing rules:

• The 20-day period begins on the determination date printed on the notice
• Appeals must be received or postmarked by the deadline
• If the 20th day falls on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day
• Late appeals may be accepted only for good cause with written explanation

Calculation example:

Determination dated January 10, 2026:

• Deadline = January 30, 2026 (20 calendar days)
• If January 30 is Saturday, deadline extends to Monday, February 1

Late appeals:

Appeals filed after the 20-day deadline may be accepted if the claimant demonstrates good cause for late filing, such as:

• Serious illness preventing timely filing
• Death in immediate family
• Natural disaster or emergency
• Failure to receive determination notice due to address change not reported
• Other circumstances beyond claimant’s control

Late appeal requests require written explanation and supporting documentation.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 443.151(4)(b) (appeal deadlines)

Appeal Filing Process

How to file an appeal:

Online: Log into CONNECT system at floridajobs.org

• Navigate to Eligibility screen
• Click Details icon for the determination to be appealed
• Select “File an Appeal” option
• Complete online appeal form

Mail:
Office of Appeals
Florida Department of Commerce
P.O. Box 5250
Tallahassee, FL 32314-5250

Fax: 1-850-617-6504

Required information for appeal:

• Claimant name and Social Security number
• Determination reference number or date
• Clear statement of disagreement
• Reason for appeal
• Claimant’s current contact information (phone, email, mailing address)
• Signature and date

Appeal form: Notice of Appeal form may be completed and submitted, or claimants may write a letter containing required information.

Confirmation:

FloridaCommerce sends written confirmation when appeal is received, including:

• Acknowledgment of appeal filing
• Information about hearing process
• Instructions for submitting evidence

Critical: Continue certifying during appeal:

Claimants must continue to request benefit payments biweekly even while an appeal is pending. Failure to certify for weeks during the appeal period may result in permanent loss of benefits for those weeks even if the appeal is successful.

Source: FloridaCommerce appeals process information
Appeals page: https://www.floridajobs.org/

Hearing Process

Hearing notification:

After an appeal is filed, the Office of Appeals schedules a hearing and sends written notice at least 14 days before the hearing date. The notice includes:

• Specific date and time of hearing
• Hearing method (telephone, video, or in-person)
• Name of appeals referee assigned
• Issues to be addressed at hearing
• Instructions for submitting evidence
• Rights and responsibilities of parties

Hearing format:

Appeals hearings in Florida are conducted by telephone unless special circumstances require video or in-person proceedings. The hearing is formal and recorded.

Appeals referee:

An appeals referee, who must be an attorney licensed with The Florida Bar, presides over the hearing. The referee is an impartial decision-maker employed by FloridaCommerce but independent from the claims processing staff.

Hearing procedures:

1. Opening – Referee identifies parties present, explains hearing process, and swears in witnesses
2. Issue statement – Referee states the issues to be decided
3. Evidence presentation:
   
   • Claimant presents testimony and evidence
   • Employer (if participating) presents testimony and evidence
   • Referee may question witnesses
   • Parties may question opposing witnesses through referee
4. Document review – Referee reviews documentary evidence submitted by parties
5. Closing statements – Each party may make brief closing statement
6. Hearing conclusion – Referee closes the record

Evidence submission:

Evidence may be submitted before the hearing:

• Deadline: At least 2 business days before hearing
• Method: Upload through CONNECT, mail, fax, or email
• Requirement: Provide copies to all parties
• Accepted formats: Documents, photographs, business records, correspondence, medical records (if relevant), wage statements

Late evidence may be accepted at the referee’s discretion if good cause shown.

Representation:

Claimants may represent themselves or be represented by an attorney or non-attorney representative. There is no requirement for legal representation, though complex cases may benefit from attorney assistance.

Witnesses:

Parties may present witnesses who have relevant knowledge. Witnesses must be available by phone at the scheduled hearing time. Documents identifying witnesses may be submitted in advance.

Decision:

The appeals referee issues a written decision typically within 7-14 days after the hearing. The decision includes:

• Findings of fact based on evidence presented
• Conclusions of law applying Florida statutes and regulations
• Decision affirming, modifying, or reversing the initial determination
• Explanation of reasoning
• Appeal rights to next level

Decisions are mailed to all parties and posted in the CONNECT system.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 443.151(4) (appeals procedures); Florida Administrative Code Chapter 73B-11 (appeals rules)
Hearing information: https://www.floridajobs.org/

Further Appeals

Appeal to Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission:

Parties may appeal the appeals referee’s decision to the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission within 20 calendar days from the date of the referee’s decision.

Commission appeal process:

• Written appeal filed with Commission explaining error in referee’s decision
• Commission reviews hearing record without taking new evidence (except in limited circumstances)
• Commission may affirm, modify, reverse, or remand case
• Decision typically issued within 30-60 days

Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission:
Florida Department of Commerce
107 East Madison Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-4143
Phone: 1-850-245-7105

Judicial appeal:

Final administrative decisions of the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission may be appealed to the Florida District Court of Appeal with jurisdiction over the residence of the claimant or location of the employer.

Judicial review:

• Deadline: 30 days from Commission decision
• Jurisdiction: District Court of Appeal
• Standard: Limited to whether competent substantial evidence supports Commission’s findings and whether Commission correctly applied the law
• Representation: Parties may obtain legal counsel for court appeals

The Commission’s decision is the final level of administrative review. Court appeals involve formal legal proceedings governed by Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 443.151(4) (Commission appeals); § 443.151(4)(e) (judicial review)