Miami-Dade Public Library System distributes more than 46,000 printed Reemployment Assistance Applications to residents during first two days of effort to help those applying for state unemployment benefits

(Miami, FL – April 10, 2020) Thousands of Miami‑Dade County residents with no access to computers or printers at home or who have been unable to access the state's unemployment website have picked up printed copies of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Reemployment Assistance Applications at 26 Miami‑Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) locations since the distribution began on Wednesday, April 8. As of Thursday, April 9, a total of 46,413 applications have been distributed and 7,918 applications returned to MDPLS book drops.

Unemployment applications in English, Spanish and Creole and envelopes to return them in are available for pickup outside the library entrances from 8 a.m. ‑ 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Please note: Application pick up and drop off service will not be available on Sunday, April 12 in observance of Easter. Service will resume on Monday, April 13 at 8 a.m.

Residents can take the application home to fill out and then return it in the sealed envelope by dropping it off in the library location's book drop or at any CareerSource South Florida location, or mail it to the address on the form. Residents can also download and print a copy of the application from DEO's website and return it to any participating library's book drop. Security measures are in place to protect residents' personal information. Applications are picked up from the book drops by Miami-Dade County police officers every day and delivered to CareerSource South Florida where trained staff will send them securely overnight to DEO in Tallahassee for processing.

Social distancing is being enforced. Residents should stay six feet away from one another.

For a list of participating library locations, links to download and print the applications, and more information, visit www.mdpls.org/reemployment‑assistance.

Residents may also call 305‑375‑2665 to find the nearest library location providing the printed applications. CareerSource South Florida is available to provide assistance with completing the application by calling 305‑929‑1547.

For the latest COVID‑19 updates, information and resources, visit www.miamidade.gov/coronavirus.