Florida lawmakers cut jobless benefits
Tallahassee, FL, United States (AHN) – State lawmakers in Florida have approved a deal to cut jobless benefits for unemployed workers.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is expected to sign the bill into law.
Beginning in 2012, workers who lose their jobs can only qualify for a maximum of 23 weeks of state unemployment benefits instead of the current 26 weeks.
In addition, they would only be able to get 23 weeks if the state unemployment rate were 10.5 percent or higher. Right now, Florida’s unemployment rate is the third highest in the nation at 11.1 percent.
However, if the unemployment rate drops to 5 percent or lower, jobless workers would only qualify for 12 weeks of state unemployment benefits. The number of weeks an individual could receive jobless benefits would increase by one week for every 0.5 percent the jobless rate increases above 5 percent.
The changes to state benefits affect extended federal benefits as well and it will reduce the number of weeks that jobless Floridians qualify for federal unemployment benefits.
But the state left the maximum benefit amount of $275 unchanged. It remains one of the lowest in the nation.
Although the new law will negatively affect the unemployed, it is viewed as a boon for business because it cuts the tax businesses pay for the unemployment compensation insurance program by 10 percent.
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