In Florida, how does unemployment work after receiving lump sum of severance?

I am in Florida. I was laid off and given a severance package for 3 months to be paid out biweekly. It has been paid out bi-weekly until 1/15 when the company decided that it would pay out the remaining weeks in one lump sum payment. So, after reading some of the info on the internet decided to file unemployment on afte the 1/15 lump sum payment. Since then, my unemployment has been under review and although the site says eligible -- it says remuneration and they asked for my severance agreement to review along with the letter saying that I would receive lump sum on 1/15. Does this mean I will not be eligible for unemployment? Or will they determine that the lump sum is enough for me to survive the next couple of months? How does it work?

So received letter today saying I am ineligible because I show that I had wages in excess of weeks. They didn't even look at the letter from employer stating that it was now going to be paid out in one lump sum rather than biweekly as stated in agreement. Should I appeal? Will it matter at this point? I am still unemployed.

2 answers  |  asked Mar 9, 2016 10:59 AM [EST]  |  applies to Florida

Answers (2)

Phyllis Towzey
Under the circumstances you describe you will probably not be eligible for unemployment benefits until the 3 month period the severance was intended to cover runs out. It is likely the agency will treat the lump sum payment the same as the bi-weekly payments it replaced (especially if the severance agreement itself that the agency is reviewing specifies a 3 month period).

These issues are up to interpretation, however, so you were correct to go ahead and apply for unemployment. The worst that could happen is that your receipt of benefits will be delayed until after the 3 month period runs out.

posted by Phyllis Towzey  |  Mar 9, 2016 12:58 PM [EST]
Arthur Schofield
Once payments stop or the last one is received you are eligible for benefits. They should not be looking at the lump sum to carry you over any weeks of no income.

posted by Arthur Schofield  |  Mar 9, 2016 11:15 AM [EST]

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