Narrative: d. 3.

Section 443.091, Florida Statutes, requires all RA claimants to engage in systematic and sustained efforts to find work, including contacting at least five prospective employers for each week of unemployment. In small counties – defined as having a population of 75,000 residents or fewer – a claimant must contact at least three prospective employers for each week of unemployment claimed. Claimants file their work search activities online each week. Alternatively, instead of claimants contacting three or five prospective employers, as appropriate, claimants may, for that same week, report in person to a LWDB to meet with a career center representative and access reemployment services.

LWDBs conduct a skills assessment that measures an individual’s skills, abilities, and career aptitude. LWDBs use results obtained from the assessment to provide a customized and tiered level of service. Results from the assessment may indicate the claimant is equipped with skills to seek jobs and obtain employment before their benefits expire. These individuals require less staff intervention. Conversely, assessment results may also indicate a claimant may require more intensive staff intervention before being job-ready.

For claimants selected to receive RESEA services, upon completion of the RESEA appointment, career center staff are required to electronically submit information related to whether the claimant reported for and received all required services to satisfy the program’s minimum requirements. If a claimant has not reported to the required appointment, an automatic notification is transmitted to the RA system notifying an adjudicator of potential eligibility issues. The RA unit conducts a follow-up to determine if the absence should result in disqualification. An eligibility review program (ERP) questionnaire is conducted for all RESEA claimants to determine eligibility for continued benefits.