What Disqualifies You From Unemployment in Florida?

In Florida, you may be disqualified from unemployment if you:

• Voluntarily resign without good cause attributable to your employer
• Are terminated due to misconduct connected with your work
• Refuse to accept suitable work when offered
• Fail to meet the state’s earnings requirements or lack sufficient work history
• Provide false information or make errors when filing your claim
• Are receiving other benefits that conflict with unemployment compensation
• Are not monetarily eligible based on your previous earnings.
• Are still employed or not available to work

Confirming your eligibility for unemployment benefits can be complicated. Consulting our experienced employment lawyers ensures you receive accurate guidance and support to protect your rights.

How We Can Help at Four Rivers Law Firm

If you’re facing a challenging legal situation, Four Rivers Law Firm is here to provide the personalized guidance you need. Our experienced team offers tailored advice on a wide range of issues, from employment and asset protection to business disputes, always focusing on what’s best for you and your unique circumstances.

Our goal is to ensure you know your options and feel supported every step of the way. To take the next step, call us today at (813) 773-5105 to schedule a free consultation, and let us help you safeguard your interests with confidence.

Wondering what disqualifies you from unemployment in Florida? Learn how factors like if you quit your job may impact eligibility. Contact our Tampa employment lawyer to find out more!

A Deeper Insight into the Reasons for Disqualification

Let’s take a closer look at the most common disqualifying factors that could impact your unemployment claim in the state of Florida.

Voluntary Resignation Without Cause

Resigning from your job without a reason tied directly to your employer typically disqualifies you from receiving unemployment benefits in Florida. Valid reasons that may not disqualify you could include:

• Hostile work conditions
• Significant alterations to your job duties or pay
• Harassment
• Other employer-driven issues

However, leaving due to personal dissatisfaction, relocation without job-related reasons, or other non-work-related factors generally results in disqualification.

Termination Due to Misconduct

Misconduct includes willful violations of company rules, intentional harm to the employer’s business, excessive absenteeism, or failure to follow specific, established work procedures.

Repeated, unexcused tardiness or insubordination also falls under misconduct. The employer must document misconduct, showing a clear pattern of behavior or a specific incident that violates company standards.

Refusal to Accept Suitable Work

Suitable work generally refers to positions that align with your previous experience, training, skill level, comparable wages, and commuting distance.

Declining such offerswithout a legitimate reason, such as health restrictions or a genuine scheduling conflict, may disqualify you from continued benefits, as the state expects recipients to make genuine efforts toward reemployment.

Earnings Requirements and Work History

To qualify for unemployment benefits in Florida, applicants must meet specific monetary criteria based on their earnings during a designated base period. The base period typically comprises the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before filing a claim.

For instance, if you file a claim in November 2024, the base period would be from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.

The monetary eligibility requirements are as follows:

1. Earnings in Multiple Quarters: You must have earned wages in at least two of the four quarters within the base period.
2. Minimum Total Earnings: Your total earnings during the base period must be at least $3,400.
3. High Quarter Earnings Ratio: Your total base period earnings must be more than 1.5 times the wages earned in your highest-earning quarter. For example, if your highest quarter earnings were $5,000, your total base period earnings should exceed $7,500.

Filing Errors or False Information

In Florida, even minor mistakes must be corrected immediately to avoid delays or denials. If the information provided is found to be intentionally falsified, it is treated as fraud, leading to immediate disqualification, required repayment of benefits, and potential legal consequences, including fines or criminal charges. 

Receiving Other Benefits

Receiving other income-replacing benefits, like disability, retirement, or Social Security payments, can affect eligibility for unemployment benefits in Florida. The state considers certain income sources, especially those meant to replace lost wages, as conflicting with unemployment compensation, as they indicate financial support is already provided.

However, some types of income, like partial disability payments, may not automatically disqualify you and could be permitted depending on the amount and type of income.

Still Employed

If you are working full-time, you generally will not qualify for unemployment benefits. However, part-time workers may still receive partial unemployment compensation if their earnings fall below a specific threshold. Florida assesses employment status and hours worked each week, so accurately reporting weekly hours and income is essential for those seeking partial benefits.

Not Available to Work

You may be disqualified if you cannot work due to personal circumstances, like illness, lack of childcare, or other responsibilities. The state requires claimants to be ready and able to accept suitable employment immediately, ensuring that benefits are reserved for individuals prepared to reenter the workforce.

Applying for unemployment benefits in Florida? Speak with our Tampa employment attorney to understand your rights and maximize your benefits.

Purpose of Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits provide a financial bridge for workers who have been laid off, terminated without cause, or otherwise separated from employment in situations outside their control. These benefits act as temporary financial relief intended to ease the transition as individuals look for new job opportunities.

Recipients receive weekly payments that help cover essential costs, support their well-being, and enable them to participate actively in the economy. In Florida, several basic eligibility requirements must be met to qualify for unemployment benefits:

Eligibility largely depends on the reason for job separation. Generally, individuals who have lost their jobs due to layoffs, company downsizing, or other involuntary reasons qualify, while those who voluntarily resigned or were terminated for misconduct may not be eligible.

Meeting the criteria we discussed above establishes a foundation for eligibility, but other disqualifying factors — voluntary resignation without cause or termination due to misconduct — may still impact an applicant’s eligibility status.

If you are uncertain about your eligibility, consult our employment lawyer, who will offer tailored guidance and support for moving forward in Florida’s unemployment system.

Additional reading: can my employer deduct money from my paycheck without my permission

Florida-Specific Unemployment Laws

Florida has specific statutes, regulations, and administrative codes that outline the requirements for unemployment benefits, eligibility, and disqualification. These laws are designed to ensure that only qualified individuals receive benefits while also providing guidelines for disqualification due to misconduct, voluntary resignation, or insufficient work history. 

Florida’s unemployment benefits are primarily governed by Chapter 443 of the Florida Statutes, which is known as the “Reemployment Assistance Program Law.” This legislation defines eligibility requirements, disqualification criteria, and the appeal process for unemployment benefits.

Key elements of the statute address:

• Eligibility Requirements include thresholds for earnings and work history, specifying the minimum amount of wages and the base period considered for eligibility.
• Disqualification Criteria outline specific conditions that disqualify applicants from receiving benefits, including voluntary resignation without good cause, termination due to misconduct, or refusal to accept suitable work.
• Reporting and Compliance establishes requirements for accurate reporting, ongoing job search efforts, and penalties for failing to comply with program regulations.

These legal definitions help applicants properly identify misconduct, acceptable reasons for resignation, and how work history and earnings thresholds affect eligibility.

Consider the following examples:

• Misconduct Definition: Misconduct is defined in Florida law as any deliberate violation of employer policies, repeated disregard for standards of behavior, or chronic tardiness or absenteeism. Misconduct disqualifies an individual from benefits, and Florida law includes specific examples and conditions that determine if misconduct applies.
• Voluntary Resignation Standards: Under Florida law, voluntary resignation only allows benefit eligibility if it’s due to “good cause,” which could include unsafe working conditions or significant changes to job duties. Resignation for personal reasons typically results in disqualification.
• Earnings and Work History Requirements: Applicants must meet a minimum earnings threshold within a designated base period, typically covering the first four of the last five completed quarters. This threshold determines eligibility and the amount of benefits available.

Lost your job or dealing with unpaid wages? Understand how factors like leaving the workplace voluntarily could affect your claim. Speak to our employment lawyer in Tampa and protect your rights.

Seeking Legal Guidance From Our Law Firm

Are you thinking about submitting a claim? Our firm’s attorneys specialize in unemployment law and Florida’s regulations, which means we are ready to guide our clients through every stage of the process to protect their rights.

We assist clients in accurately completing and submitting unemployment claims, ensuring that each claim complies with Florida-specific requirements. By advising on necessary documentation and deadlines, we help prevent errors that may lead to delays or disqualification.

If a claim is denied, we can assess the reasons, collect additional evidence, and represent clients in appeals hearings to strengthen their cases. Florida’s unemployment laws are distinct, and we clarify how these apply to individual situations, helping clients make informed decisions about their rights and eligibility.

We encourage you to reach out for a consultation. Contact us today at 813-773-5105.