Florida (FL DEO) Reemployment Assistance Benefit Programs After End of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits – Latest News and Updates

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) manages the states’ Reemployment Assistance benefits program, formerly known as unemployment compensation.

This includes payments of the now expired federally funded enhanced benefit programs which were extended several times after enactment last year. See more on the relevant pandemic unemployment stimulus programs and extensions in the following sections.

Please also see the many comments in the forum at the end of the article where people have shared their stories, tips and struggles getting paid under one or more of these programs.

How Much Unemployment Can I Get Paid In Florida?

With the end of the pandemic unemployment programs, only traditional/regular state unemployment is available for full or partial unemployment claims. The table below provides key details on the latest unemployment benefits and qualifying wage requirements.

You will need to submit a claim or certify your application via the state’s unemployment website (see section below on filing a claim) to get your actual weekly benefit amount (WBA).

Note that to qualify for unemployment, your job or hours worked loss will generally need to be involuntary. I.e. through no fault of your own or via directly quitting. Your job and wages must also have been paid/covered by an employer or source that deducted unemployment insurance taxes per state law (see your paycheck).

Further if you are being paid severance via a layoff or able to use sick leave or paid vacation, you cannot claim unemployment.

You will also need to certify for benefits at weekly intervals, demonstrate ongoing work availability and evidence of job search requirements (3 to 5 work search contacts) to keep getting weekly unemployment benefits.

Weekly Unemployment Available with Dependents (Min – Max)$32 to $275 (or highest quarter wages divided by 26)
Benefit DurationUp to 12 weeks
Minimum Qualifying Income over Base Period$3,400 minimum gross earnings during base period
Part-Time Income or Workers With Reduced HoursNo benefits if employment earnings > WBA. See Short-Time Compensation (STC) Plan. Limited to work 60% to 90% of normal work hours
Florida Unemployment Benefits (FL DEO)

Why is my weekly benefit payment lower than the maximum amount?

Your actual weekly benefit amount (WBA) is the amount of money your state agency has determined you and your dependents may receive for regular unemployment insurance after filing a claim. This can change weekly based on your certification or claim for benefits.

Your actual WBA is based on the amount that you earned over the states pre-defined base or alternate wage period, which are generally based on four out of the last five completed calendar quarters spanning 12 to 18 months.

The higher your earnings, the higher your approved WBA will be, up to the maximum amount allowed in the state. All earnings must be subject to UI tax (covered employment) to be eligible for factoring into your benefit determination.

Any part time or temporary earnings from employment or other activities during eligible weeks you are claiming and certifying for benefits, will potentially reduce the amount of benefits you may get as shown in the table above.

Also note that that your state UI agency may deduct overpayments and court-ordered child support from your weekly payment. This will reduce your WBA.

What if I worked or lived in another state?

If you worked or lived in another state during the base year, you should file your unemployment benefits claim in the state you worked in and where your wages were reported. Not where you reside at the time of claim. You can file a claim in multiple states.

Your claim will be paid and governed by laws of that state in which you applied for. You will need to report this on your state and federal income taxes per form 1099-G issued by the state’s UI agency.

Claimants will also need to apply or reapply for UI benefits when they reach the end of their benefit year. Any expired claims will require a new claim to be filed, as benefits are not retroactively available.

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End of Pandemic Unemployment Benefit programs & Retroactive Payments

With the expiry of the pandemic unemployment programs only traditional state unemployment benefits will be available, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.

Claimants will also need to apply or reapply for UI benefits when they reach the end of their current benefit year (see your online payment history for this date). See work search requirements below to keep getting benefits.

Work Search Requirements Delaying Benefit Claim Payments

Over the last few months many claimants have reported that their UI benefits have been delayed or stopped entirely since the DEO reinstated work search requirements, which their antiquated systems have struggled to process (especially for PUA claims).

This is despite eligible claimants applying for jobs and reporting this on their bi-weekly claims. The Benefit Year End Date (BYE), discussed in earlier updates below, does not seem to be the cause of the issue in most cases.

As a reminder, Work search requirements are now back in effect after Governor DeSantis had waived requirements for claimants through May 29, 2021. Claimants will be required to return to the CONNECT system every two weeks to request their benefits or “claim their weeks.” Claimants must confirm that they are still unemployed and acknowledge that they are able and available for work, in order to claim their benefit weeks.

Coupled with ongoing fraudulent claims many claimants have been caught in a web of automated call systems and process bureaucracy as their claims go unpaid. Getting hold of a live agent has also been a challenge with many reporting hours of hold times and/or getting an untrained/new agent who is not able to help them (see some contact options).


Extra $300 Weekly Pandemic Unemployment Payment Expired. PUA and PEUC Extensions to Remain in Place

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has instructed the FL DEO to end the $300 supplementary weekly unemployment stimulus after the week ending June 26th, 2021. Florida joins several other states in ending this benefit in order to encourage unemployed residents to return to work.

However, unlike many of the states cancelling ALL enhanced unemployment benefits, Florida will continue participation in the PUA and PEUC programs until the planned end date of Sep 4th, 2021. The DEO also confirmed that the Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC) program will end effective June 26, 2021.

The end of the $300 weekly boost has seen several lawsuits filed trying to reinstate benefits and reverse Gov. DeSantis’ termination directive. None of succeeded so far, but lawyers are getting creative and will also seek to reinstate missed payment weeks.

Traditional state unemployment benefits and retroactive benefit payments however will continue to be processed and paid for eligible claimants.


Work Search Requirements to Keep Getting Benefits

Beginning the week of May 30th, claimants receiving state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits are required to complete weekly work search requirements. The population of the county you reside in will determine the required number of weekly work searches.

Claimants will need to certify via the CONNECT system every two weeks to request their benefits or “claim their weeks.” In so doing, claimants will confirm that they are still unemployed and acknowledge that you are able and available for work. If they don’t do this and will result in delays or missing payments.

Claimants living in counties with a population greater than 75,000 are required to complete a minimum 5 work searches per week. Claimants living in counties with a population less than 75,000 are required to complete a minimum 3 work searches per week.


25-week Unemployment Program Extensions Under Biden ARP Stimulus Package (Mar 15, 2021 to Sep 6, 2021)

Under President Biden’s $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus relief package, known as the American Rescue Plan (ARP), enhanced unemployment benefits will be extended until September 6th. This includes the following extensions:

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – The PUA program, designed for freelancers, gig workers and independent contractors or those that generally don’t qualify for regular state unemployment, has been extended by another 29 weeks (actual duration of extension is 25 calendar weeks). This brings the total number of covered weeks in the program to 79. The minimum PUA payment is still 50% of a states average weekly benefit amount and limited to the state’s maximum weekly benefit amount (WBA).

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – The new stimulus bill funds another 25 weeks of weekly supplementary/extra unemployment at the current $300 level. Payments for the $300 weekly payment will continue until early September for a total of 25 weeks and eligible claimants – those getting at least $1 from state and federal unemployment programs – can get a maximum of $7,500 if they qualify for all weeks covered in this new extension. The other $100 supplementary payment for Mixed Earners (MEUC) was also extended by 25 weeks.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) – The PEUC program, which extends coverage for those who have exhausted regular and extended state unemployment, has also been extended for another 29 weeks, bringing the total amount of PEUC coverage to 53 weeks. The actual duration of extension is 25 calendar weeks.

There also provisions in the Biden Stimulus package for Unemployment tax breaks on the first $10,200 of benefits.

Payment Status of 25-week Extensions in Florida – Latest News and Status on PUA, PEUC and $300 FPUC

The Department of Labor (DOL) has now issued formal guidelines for states to implement the latest unemployment extensions. The FL DEO has updated their program/systems to enable the 25-week of extensions funded under the ARP Program. It is expected that from Monday March 22nd, Floridians will begin receiving the additional weeks funded under the ARP plan.

This will first apply to PEUC claimants and then will be made available to those getting benefits under the PUA program which has stricter rules (additional identity and documentation checks). The DEO will notify claimants who exhausted those benefits when their payments are ready to resume.

Anyone currently collecting unemployment in any amount will also receive the $300 FPUC supplemental benefit. Claimants should continue to request their benefit payments as weeks become available in their CONNECT account if they remain unemployed.

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2021 Unemployment Program Extensions Under CAA COVID Relief Bill (Dec 27, 2020 to Mar 14, 2021)

The $900 billion COVID-19 relief package was passed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, which among several other pandemic relief measures extends and provides additional federal funding for enhanced unemployment benefits. This includes the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and a reinstatement, but halving of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) Program which provides a $300 supplemental weekly unemployment payment.

These programs have been funded and extended for 11 weeks (on top of any state funded extensions), covering the weeks of December 27th, 2020 to March 14th, 2021. FPUC will be available starting the week ending 1/2/21, so eligible claimants will receive the full 11 weeks of payments (a total of $3,300). To receive FPUC benefits, you must be receiving regular UI, PEUC, EB, or PUA.

Florida DEO – 2021 Payment Status Updates on PUA, PEUC and FPUC

PEUC update [Jan 25th] – PEUC claimants who have EXHAUSTED their benefits can now Log-in to CONNECT and take action on your account to claim and certify for benefits under the extended coverage period. They will also get the extra $300. Retroactive payments will be made for eligible weeks.

PUA update : Claimants who have exhausted their benefit payments and are waiting for the 11 week of enhanced benefit program extensions should not submit an additional application for Reemployment Assistance benefits at this time. DEO continues to progress through a staged implementation in CONNECT of the extensions. Keep checking your account for updates and look for emails from the DEO on actions that may need to be taken on next steps.

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Update [Jan 18th]: The DEO has started updating their systems to make UI payments under the extended coverage period approved. However a few claimants, especially those who have exhausted balances prior to the start of the new coverage period have several questions. Here are some answers based on recent reporting.

If your claim status says suspended it is due to applying for Extended benefits. As a result their PUA or PEUC status will show as suspended. The suspended status will go back to active, and the claimant will continue on with claiming their weeks for PUA.

For those waiting for their $300 FPUC, and who don’t have an active claim, they will need to first need to reapply or get reactivated to receive benefits under the extended programs. The $300 can be requested after that process is complete (see this video for more). A new application will not be needed for the extension of PUA and PEUC; however additional documentation and information is likely going to be needed for the timely payment of benefits.

The DEO hasn’t started distributing the $300 payments yet (as of Jan 8th) but have confirmed that payments will be requested through the same Request Benefit Payment link that the underlying benefit program utilizes. If you request UI benefits for a given week you will the $300 automatically.

UI claimants with existing or expired claim balances should be aware of the following general guideliens:

  • PUA and PEUC, FPUC will be automatically added to the claimants’ benefits if they are eligible for the weeks outlined in the new legislation.
  • Claimants with weeks remaining in UI should continue to file weekly claims
  • Claimants who will have additional weeks in UI and PUA or PEUC due to state provisions (where applicable) should watch their state agency UI portal or website for updates that will allow additional weeks to be filed.
  • Claimants will be retroactively caught up on payments for all weeks they are eligible.
  • Claimants currently receiving benefits through the Extended Benefits program must finish all weeks of EB before receiving additional weeks of PEUC.

I will post additional updates as they are released in coming days. So stay tuned for updates.

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Issues With Your Claim or You Have Not Been Paid?

  • If a claimant has not received benefits or all of the benefits they believe they are entitled to, they should:
    • Check that they have requested benefits;
    • Check that the weeks they are requesting are eligible weeks; and 
    • Check that their account information in CONNECT is up-to-date and accurate.
    • If a claimant needs additional assistance, they should call the Reemployment Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-833-FL-APPLY.

You can see some other contact options in this article.


Extra $300 Unemployment under Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program (August 1st, 2020 to Sep 5th, 2020)

Florida has completed paying out the $300 UI supplementary weekly payment under the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program. Payments had started from September 8th for claimants whose current weekly benefit amount (WBA), prior to taxes and other deductions was at least $100 prior to the week ending August 1, 2020. If you were already receiving unemployment benefits, you didn’t need to do anything additional to qualify for this payment.

November Update : Florida DEO confirmed it will only pay out only four weeks of additional jobless aid, rather than the six weeks provided under the program. FEMA which is overseeing the effort, however has said last week it would provide six weeks of funding, as it is to other states that are still processing payments. Because Florida doesn’t have enough workers who earn at least $100 in state unemployment aid (a requirement of LWA program) to qualify the FL DEO has said they won’t be applying for the remaining 2 weeks of LWA funding available.

The new Lost Wages program however does cut the federal benefit ($600 FPUC) in half since the state cannot afford to boost the benefit by the additional $100 state contribution requested by Trump.


Based on the many comments below, which have lots of questions and helpful suggestions (thanks to all those helping answer) here is some updated information on the enhanced benefits currently being paid in Florida. See the original details and details to file a claim in the updates below.

  • The $600 FPUC payment is payable until the week ending July 25, 2020 to individuals who are collecting regular state Reemployment Assistance benefits, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Individuals receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).
  • To modify the date of your claim – in order to get retroactive/back-pay for eligible weeks – must be made by calling the Reemployment Assistance Customer Service center at 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759 and choose option 5).
  • Floridians who have already exhausted their benefits or have a Reemployment Assistance claim that expired after July 1, 2019, will also have to re-apply. Through PEUC, Floridians may be eligible for up to $275, in addition to the $600 through Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), in weekly benefits. All claimants participating in PEUC will still be required to claim weeks on a biweekly basis (via Connect), certifying that they remain unemployed and are able and available for work during the weeks they are receiving PEUC.

  • Make sure action DEO request around Quarter Change. If you are currently receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), the DEO must confirm that you are ineligible for state Reemployment Assistance (regular state UI) benefits quarterly. This routine task, often referred to as the Quarter Change, will determine if you could now be eligible for state Reemployment Assistance benefits. If you are, you will receive a link to submit an application for state Reemployment Assistance benefits in your CONNECT account. Otherwise the DEO will send you a Quarter Change Questionnaire to confirm/continue eligibility for PUA benefits.

  • Getting in touch with someone at the DEO is still a challenge. You can see contact options here, but if you cannot get through try contacting them via Social media (twitter or facebook). You can also complete the Reemployment Assistance contact form found here. See other options or suggestions in the comments below.
  • How long will it take to get paid my benefits? Prior to the COVID-19 epidemic, it took three to four weeks (assuming there were no issues with the claim) to process a claim. Given the surge in claimant volumes you can expect it to take at least 4 weeks to get your claim processed and payment in your bank account or debit card.

Are Reemployment Assistance benefits retroactive to the day I lost my job?

 If you were not able to submit your application because you were prevented from doing so or because of system issues, and you would like to request to modify your claim filing effective date, you should call the Reemployment Assistance customer service center at 833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759). If eligible, your claim may be backdated to the date you first attempted to file your application. The effective date of PUA claims are made retroactive in the CONNECT system.

Thousands of Floridians have recently stopped getting $600 federal unemployment payments; state blames ‘technology concerns and errors with implementing CARES provisions. The DEO has blamed technology issues/concerns and said the department is correcting the issue. Affected workers should start receiving payments soon. Two main issues are causing delays. One is that some workers were mistakenly not issued federal payments for their “waiting week” – which was actually waived under the CARES act for the extra unemployment payments. The other issue is around backdated payments which were excluded from recent payment files for the federal payments.


CARES Act Unemployment Compensation Enhancements for Coronavirus / COVID-19 Relief (Feb 2nd, 2020 to Dec 26, 2020)

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, expands Reemployment Assistance benefits. Benefits will be paid from the date they became eligible under the CARES Act.

This now covers individuals who are self-employed, independent contractors, certain non-profit employees and gig economy workers, as well as to individuals working part-time, or who otherwise would not qualify for regular state Reemployment Assistance benefits under state or federal law or PEUC.

Those who apply for Reemployment Assistance whose employment was negatively impacted as a result of COVID-19 will follow the same application, review and payment process as all applicants for Reemployment Assistance in Florida. Programs included in the CARES Act are:

  • [This program has now expired and no longer being paid] Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – provides an additional $600 per week to any individual eligible under Florida law for Reemployment Assistance. This benefit is available for weeks claimed March 29, 2020 – July 31, 2020 in addition to the funds owed under Florida law to individuals. Floridians who received their $600 check will receive their state benefits for Reemployment Assistance via direct deposit or prepaid debit card based on their selection made. [Paid from April 12th, retroactive to March 29th]

  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – provides up to $275 in benefits per week to those not ordinarily eligible for Reemployment Assistance. This includes individuals who are self-employed or contract employees.

  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) – allows for an additional 13 weeks of benefits added to the end of regular Reemployment Assistance benefits. This means claimants may collect unemployment benefits for a longer period of time than under normal circumstances. Floridians will need to apply for PEUC benefits once the balance of their current claim is exhausted. Floridians who have already exhausted their benefits or have a Reemployment Assistance claim that expired after July 1, 2019, will also be able to apply.

Through PEUC, Floridians may be eligible for up to $275, in addition to the $600 through Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), in weekly benefits. This brings the maximum unemployment benefit to $875 p/week for eligible recipients.

All claimants participating in PEUC will still be required to claim weeks on a biweekly basis, certifying that they remain unemployed and are able and available for work during the weeks they are receiving PEUC. The first week a claimant can be eligible for this benefit is the week beginning March 29, 2020, and the last payable week is the week ending December 26, 2020.

  • To comply with federal law, weeks beginning May 10, 2020, claimants for all Reemployment Assistance programs, including state Reemployment Assistance, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, will be required to return to the CONNECT system every two weeks to request their benefits or “claim their weeks.”
  • In doing so, claimants will confirm that they are still unemployed and acknowledge that they are able and available for work should it be offered. If claimants, currently receiving Reemployment Assistance benefits, no longer wish to receive benefits, they do not need to claim their weeks, as payments will stop processing if weeks stop being claimed.

Governor Ron DeSantis has directed DEO to continue waiving the work search and work registration requirements for claimants. These requirements will continue to be waived through January 2, 2021.

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Unemployed Floridians who have exhausted their state Reemployment benefits will be notified with the next steps for PEUC. 

Filing a Claim and FAQs around Unemployment Benefits

One readers experience with the DEO (Florida) where the system is setup for bi-weekly verification but payments are sent weekly.

It took over a month before I started received any correspondence from DEO. I submitted an application on 4/14, but my employer also submitted a claim on 4/21. Since there were duplicate applications, my employer’s application was accepted over mine and the DEO system didn’t merge info. My employer didn’t have my personal email or direct deposit info, so all of my initial communications were sent from DEO via standard/snail mail.

On 5/19, the DEO packet of information I received included a Way2Go Debit card with 2 week payments (covering weeks ending 5/2 & 5/9), temp pin information to logon to CONNECT. In a separate envelope, I received the $600 check as part of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefit. You won’t see anything in the CONNECT system about FPUC payments — they are mutually exclusive.

More details regarding bi-weekly verification: After I finally got into the CONNECT system, the first thing I saw was a directive to complete verification for next payment (week 5/10 – 5/16). It took several attempts to verify. I got rather desperate, so I gave up using Chrome and switched to Firefox (thinking it was a browser issue).

It may or may not have been the browser, but firefox went through on the first try. Anyway, the verification form has several pages with many questions regarding work activity that I thought was odd, but we are all in different circumstances.

Potential issues when completing bi-weekly verification: After finally completing, I still received a message within the “Payment Request Status” section of the home page: Pending issue(s) have been identified on your Claim Payment will be delayed until the pending issue(s) is resolved.

Once I clicked the link to identify the issue, I was presented with additional questions to verify that my unemployment is a result of COVID-19. Once completed again, the issue message was still there, but I presumed that the system just needed to cycle.

I logged back in the next day, the system was updated to show my 5/22 payment was processed. As mentioned above, I received my unemployment direct deposited on 5/23. Oddly, the $600 FPUC payment was also received on 5/23 but in the mail in form of a check.

Filing a Claim

All claims should be filed online using CONNECT.  Florida’s DEO also has a mobile-friendly online application for individuals filing a new Reemployment Assistance claim available at www.FloridaJobs.org/RAApplication

DEO has a mobile-friendly online application for individuals filing a new Reemployment Assistance claim available here. For a step by step guide on how to apply read more here. For the Reemployment Assistance Resource Guide which includes frequently asked questions, please click here.

If you have never filed in Florida before, use the “File a New Claim” link to start your application and create a profile. If you have filed previously, please log in using your Social Security number and PIN. If you no longer have your PIN, select the “Forgot PIN” button to regain access to your account. Before filing, make sure you have the following information available:

  • Social Security number
  • Driver’s license or State ID number
  • Your employment for the last 18 months including for each employer:
    • Name, address, and phone number
    • First and last day of work
    • Gross earnings (before taxes are taken out) during the listed dates
    • The reason for separation
    • FEIN (this is found on any W2 or 1099 tax forms you have received)
    • If you don’t have the FEIN, you can use employer details off of a recent paystub  
    • Claims filed without correctly reporting employers may experience delays. It is important to list the correct employment information when filing your claim. If you fail to do so, your benefits may be delayed while the missing employment information is obtained

By Phone – Reemployment Assistance Hotline 1-833-FL-APPLY (or 1-833-352-7759)

Working Part Time and Getting Unemployment Benefits

In Florida you can get regular state UI while working part time under the Short-Time Compensation program. This program is a voluntary employer program designed to help employers maintain their staff by reducing the weekly working hours during temporary slowdowns instead of temporarily laying off employees.

If your employer establishes a Short-Time Compensation Plan and you meet the qualifications to file an reemployment assistance claim in the state of Florida, you will receive a partial reemployment check to supplement your reduced paycheck.

Employee Requirements

– You must be a full-time employee, (not part-time or seasonal) with a standard number of hours worked each week (excluding overtime).
– You must meet all of the normal requirements to establish a Florida reemployment claim and you must provide the DEO with any necessary information or documentation.
– While on the Short-Time Compensation program you must work and/or receive paid leave for ALL of the hours that your employer has you scheduled to work in order to receive Short-Time Compensation Benefits for a week.
– Every two weeks you will be required to report your hours worked, plus any hours of paid leave from your Short-Time Compensation employer and if you have a part-time job, earnings from that part-time job.
– See further details here.

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344 thoughts on “Florida (FL DEO) Reemployment Assistance Benefit Programs After End of Pandemic Unemployment Benefits – Latest News and Updates”

  1. Hello, my name is Bennie T Tall,I have a claim for back unemployment payments since 2019, 2020 2021,representatives stop answering the phones, I can’t speak to an agent to get any information on the back payment claim please write Email or call, all information is the same.

    Reply
  2. Well I filed all of 2021. Nothing at all so far even though they approved it. I can’t reach anyone to find out anything! Lost home , car and everything. No offense but I wish I at least got something like these others ..

    Reply
    • Carrie, call your State Representative for your District. Phone number should be for Tallahassee. Leave a message. That was my last resort with getting mine. I did get a phone call that afternoon from State Repr Office. They can’t guarantee DEO will do what is needed but the office did call someone at DEO got a phone call the next afternoon from DEO. Did what was needed on my claim and was paid in full…this took almost a year after filing my claim. Don’t hesitate to keep calling your State Rep and leave a message….keep at it and good luck.

      Reply
  3. Florida unemployment has ignored their own guidelines and denied payments I am positive I’m owed. First issue I encountered was a problem with their system. I file my claim correctly on July 1 2020 and my application couldn’t be found by the unemployment office. I requested to have my start date back dated due to an issue with their system. I was told I qualified and the date would be adjusted from August 30 2020 to July 1 2020. I never received the payment called back & spoke to a supervisor. She said that I couldn’t have it adjusted while asking if I had claimed any of the weeks from July 1 to August 30. I explained that their own guidelines online state I qualified due to their system error. As far as claiming weeks that were impossible to because the system issue… I just kept my mouth shut so I could keep my composure. I’m unemployed & this person is a supervisor that is telling me I can’t get payments for weeks that are impossible to claim until they adjust the date. WOW! This person was incapable of critical thinking or this was one of their many tatics to deny qualified people from the insurance that insurance we all pay taxes for. Second I found out I qualified for the $300 weekly payment & started claiming this January 19 2021. I researched several trustworthy websites/articles. This made me aware I was elgible for retroactive payments of the $300. I called DEO a few days after I found this out just after I submitted my claimed about Jan 5th. No surprise that the unemployment office didn’t agree. Now I’m unsure if it is too late take any action to receive these payments. I don’t allow their dispicable antics to save money fool me, but they seem too be really working hard to deny quilfied claimants. They ingnored their guildlines due to their system issues & sent me a determination denying reconsideration because “20 days had past”. The 20 day limit is for appeals and does not apply to their system issue. Apologies for the length of my post. I’m getting to the point that I wonder if I should contact a lawyer. They’re not following their own guidelines & rules at this point. Anyone have advice? It’d be greatly appreciated. Usually I have people asking me, but I’m struggling since they’re ignoring their own rules. Lastly I was injured at work & missed 40 days. I received two checks from a private insurance compensation agency(not gov. WC insurance). I returned to work until I was laid-off. I can’t find any info if this should have been calculated in my income for my claim. My third quarter income on my claim is around $1200-$1500 less than the other 9 months. I wouldn’t be surprised if it should have been included since it reduced my weekly benefit amount significantly. Anyone know anything that may help? One thing for anyone that runs into problems with unemployment. DO NOT get frustrated, give up, or just take their word on anything. This type of stuff happens way too often to be coincidence. Remember they’re unemployment “insurance” which really means they insure to make things difficult for many people. You also paid taxes for this insurance. So don’t feel like you’re taking advantage of free money. Well this situation is unique, but shutting down half the economy definitely requires these measures to help to recover. Best of luck to everyone!

    Reply
    • Hello
      Well my issue was similar to that but now it’s over payments they say I owe, to which i DON’T! They are trying to double dip money. Back several years ago I was laid off due to company was down sizing and they supposedly over paid me one week, well it was paid back the letter stating so if on my account. Then they say i was over paid last fall for those EB weeks, which I was already on peuc. However I couldn’t claim weeks due to they had my account where I had to take those EB before claiming my regular peuc weeks. Well that was paid back at the end of January this year. Now they say i owe for 4 weeks in January this year I wasn’t supposed to be paid for which I was. So I sent all the proof for the 4th time showing that there is no over payment due to them and my account should be lifted from the suspended mode it’s currently in. So I did appeals and one of them was granted in my favor the other still I’d pending. They have all these records but don’t do any of the leg work to figure out their own mistakes! I’m not taking it no more! How many other people have been double dipped?? I don’t know why they keep doing this except rick scott got this crappy system setup for people to fail! No one is doing anything about it to help us people, why?? So now they are saying you have 30 days to file a pua claim, what really? Then answer the damn phone and help people so they can! I can’t do anything until these morons figure out their mistakes and release my account. Oct 6th is coming very quickly!
      I did have or should say found a way to get through to them, it takes a bit but you get that call back option or an actual person then. You call 1 of the 2 numbers I got, then when the prompts start chose 1, then **, then 2. Do that as quick as you can until you get that call back option or a person answers! Might take a bit but it does work. It trips up the system and you can get through. I can help or answer questions about it if you need me to. Happy to help!

      Reply
      • what will i do when my profile is saying im exhausted, the balance on my profile before was $8k but after some month the require for id.me verification which i did , and after i verified my account with id.me they actually asked me to file new claim which i did and they only add $3,000 to my profile instead of $8,000 now im exhausted and i cant even file any new claim anymore. this crazy man

        Reply
  4. It amazed me that a Governor in any state but especially this one Florida, would do such a thing as to terminate $300 extra benefits when most of the state is tourist related low paying jobs in the first place and Florida’s highest unemployment is still after over 30 years is only $125.00 a week. Now who in Gods name can survive on that?? Don’t you imagine that if there were jobs available that most unemployed people could do they would?? Now that Florida is one of the highest in the Delta variance Covid would be another reason to pay out those much needed funds because the majority of these patients are children!!! Even though the Governor wants to keep children mask-less!!!!!

    There are also us unemployed that are self-employed that are still not working!! It amazes me that just because the Governor has a good job and most of his friends have good jobs that he thinks all the rest of us do and now that we are at home with sick children it just adds fuel to the fire.

    Since Florida is still receiving PUA funds and not paying them our someone needs to answer for this and in a big way. I just read this so I know it’s true so where are they putting this money??????

    These funds need to be reactived and disbursed to the unemployed because there are law suites all over the country about this very thing..

    Just wait until all of Florida hears about this.

    Reply
    • I’ve given up….they jerked me around since march 2021 now I’ve given up we will NEVER see the Pua benefits promised or back pay

      Reply
    • First of all masking children is child abuse. Most people that work thing others should get off their lazy butts and get back to work. However, ending the $300 per week is just silly in my opinion, let the benefit ride out.

      Reply
  5. I have been getting payment regularly since i applied April 2020 now this last time I applied for my two weeks it’s on “hold” how long will this “hold” last? Will I get my money soon?

    Reply
    • Heaven only knows. Ive been waiting for 6 weeks. No one to contact, no one calls back. Ive even called the Governor’s office and sent a complaint to Inspector Generals Office about this…..SRILL WAITING

      Reply
      • You need to contact the DEO. This program is ending in Florida on June 26th, so if you don’t get an update by then I can only imagine it will be harder to get retroactive back payments after this date.

        Reply
  6. If you are and unemployed sole proprietor and are starting to work to get your business going in but you’re not making any money, losing money do you have to report all the hours of profitless work? Also since profit-and-loss are often not determined till the end of the year how do we calculate this?

    Reply
  7. Andy, I am helping out an older family member who has been on PUA since mid 2020. I looked through their FPUC Payment Summary tab and it’s showing that FPUC payments have been paid since mid 2020, HOWEVER, they never received any of these payments in their bank account; they only received their PUA payments via direct deposit. Then the 1099-G form provided by FL DEO and it’s showing that they were paid out a lot more money than they actually were.
    What is going on? How do they request all this backpay? Where did the money actually go? PUA was paid out every week, it was just missing the FPUC.

    Thank you

    Reply
  8. I don’t understand…. 04/05/2021, I put in my claim! I got the regular money, but not the additional $300 pre-week money. Which, I’m about to view the amount due to banking with Navy Federal Credit Union. Is anyone else having this issue? Btw… I’m in the PEUC stage. Just not certain what’s happening!? Thx

    Reply
    • My benefits got stopped because of an incarceration issue I got in contact with somebody and they voided the problem out a month ago I was never even incarcerated until this day I haven’t received none of my money what’s the hole up I’ve almost lost everything that I had

      Reply
    • Yes, I did not get the additional $600 ($300 per week) either. It says we should recieve it thru Sept 06th. I don’t understand. $275 before taxes doesn’t work. I’m not a young guy and 99% of the available jobs out there in the states system aren’t suited for me or at the other end of the state. I about fainted when I noticed the $600 wasn’t there.

      Reply
  9. Question… If claim status is active and they say you will receive regular UC does that mean you will also get the additional $300?

    Reply
      • My claim has been on hold since mid March with really no explanationfrom them but that they don’t know where I belong. Even though I’ve been on pua since July of 2020 and I need to allow a reasonable amount of time for this technical issue to be resolved so now that I’ve been put back in regular uc which I’m ineligible for three times since April 1st I am now suspended because they don’t know where I go and I’m just supposed to wait I don’t know what to do anybody else have this problem I’ve read that it goes back to active after being suspended when your weeks get extended but I don’t know I can’t get an answer out of them thank you

        Reply
        • And you won’t! Ive tried everything I know. Even reported possible fraud about my claim because I cant understand why this happening. Tried contacting state Representatives, NOTHING!

        • EXACTLY, same issues happening! Been without help for 6weeks now – NO MONEY!, Been in contact 4 times on chat to find out why they haven’t moved me back into PUA benefits; tell me to “be patient” – 6 weeks NO MONEY! nothing….just be patient while they work things out!

        • I’ve been on pua since march 2020 and I also have not been paid since mid march 2021. 9 weeks waiting for these DEO bozos to reactivate my pua claim. All they tell me is to be patient they are doing everything possible to resolve my problem. Nothing happens. It’s terrible. The same thing happened last year and I waited 4 months to get my money.

        • I am in the same boat. Going on 10 weeks next week. Have called. Text emailed. All they say is the same as everyone else and have to wait until the 26th to escalate it again. Hope someone gets paid soon. Benefits are ending.

        • Yes actually my husband has the same problem he’s been locked out on home now they claim he’s in eligible but he was getting unemployment since the beginning of the pandemic and I all of a sudden due to this ID meeting he got locked out of his account and now he still is owed money he is owed almost $18,000 if this ever got results for you could you please let me know what you did I could really use this money seeing on my husband and I and three children about to lose everything and then some we’ve actually technically already come to that point and we don’t want to lose forever

        • My PUA benefits has been exhausted since March 14th 2021. When I log into my account it allows me to claim my 2 weeks. As of March 17th to March 24th I was able to claim but nothing. On May 10th I was able to file for march to May 10th and again nothing. Today May 24th I logged into my account and it says ( log back into connect on May 24th for ur next available weeks) well today is May 24th and I am unable to claim those weeks. It is disturbing and I feel they don’t know what they’re doing over there

    • No i have not. Im wondering why and on Monday the 28th when i tried logging into connect to claim my weeks it kept kicking me out. I dont believe anyone is going to get the last $600.00 before the 26th ending date.

      Reply
  10. I’m trying to find out if I received a florida reemployment assistance debit card but 4 months later I decided to switch to direct deposit use a chime card , but when I log on my account and enter bank info (route#) to verify it don’t except, I also do not have the my actual card yet, so do I have to wait until I receive the card in the mail and activate it before I can use the direct deposit information… Can anyone help me with this matter it would be greatly appreciated….

    Reply
  11. I live in Florida and my unemployment benefits year ended 12/26/20. Now that congress has passed a new bill will I automatically be extended or do I need to make a new application? Rich

    Reply
  12. I have had a check issued 12th of dec for 7 600$ checks and today is the 23rd and I haven’t received in mail yet. Am I worrying too soon. Who do I call for lost checks in mail

    Reply
    • Have you gotten yours yet? I’m having the same problem and today is now the 31st my payment processed on December 12th I’ve called and they said everything looks fine on their end and to just wait but it’s never taken this long

      Reply
      • No I still haven’t gotten it yet. Was urs mailed as well. They told me call back the 4th if I haven’t received it yet to report it lost in mail. But if I’m not the only one I’m thinking they were late mailing them out.

        Reply
        • Yes it was mailed it says payment method per check because I had debit card selected at the time I wish I put direct deposit it’s just driving me crazy checking the mail everyday I even signed up for informed delivery, I hope we get it soon

        • Omg me too. I’m going nuts. I tried applying for informed mail but can’t. But if we both are having the same issue then maybe it’s just delayed mail. Was urs a lump sum too.

        • Yes it’s supposed to be 10 600 checks and I see it on my portal it’s just annoying watching it

        • Mine is 7 of them and yes it is hard watching it say paper check and processed and not having it . Like u , I am kicking myself for not setting up direct deposit

        • GIRL ME TOO! My stimulus went to a closed bank account too ugh I don’t know what’s going to happen with that either and yes I’m in Florida and I will definitely let you know

        • Oh lord I feel like we in exact same situation. With the stimulus, the bank will reject it and eventually the irs will mail us a paper check I’m depressed about all this… Ok keep we will keep each other informed.

        • Hate that u r going thru this too but in a way I’m glad I’m not alone. At least now I have someone else calling them and checking up on this.

        • They didn’t give me a check number but she said she saw where it was processed ugh it’s really annoying

        • Tell me about it. I need that money right now. They didn’t tell u exactly when was put in mail? I’m praying it’s here today . Omg please be here today. Like I said I was beginning to think it got lost in mail but since I know u are waiting too with same process date kind of makes me feel better like maybe just sent later than the 12th. They did say take 14 days . So pray!!!!

        • I checked my informed delivery and I still don’t see it today but when you do get it let me know so I’ll know I have hope and me too I really needed it Christmas I was so happy knowing that it was coming around that time but now that passed and my baby’s birthday is on the second like ugh I hate planning stuff I’ve been waiting for months just to get the dates backdated and finally when I claim the weeks this happens when will something go right

        • Exactly I feel like I’m being linked lol. My stimulus even went to a closed bank account Wednesday. Ok if I get mine I’ll let u know and u let me know when u get confirmation of delivery. Are u in fl ?

  13. Still waiting for back dated retro payments. Finally, received an email from Florida DEO within the last two weeks saying they have received my claim. I noticed my Claimant ID changed this week from 2020-01 to my real claim number. Nothing else has changed. Does this mean that things are moving along? I hope so…..

    Reply
    • I have been locked out of my connect account since June after receiving 6 weeks of State and Federal benefits. Every week since then for 4 months I have called all 3 numbers with no response, emailed DEO with no response, faxed ALL my information with no response, and have spoken with 6 people who said they were forwarding my info to their supervisor – with no response. I am owed over $10,000 and no one will tell me why I am locked out of my account. I am an Independent Contractor S-Corp in the food industry shut down in March due to Covid, I am 71 years old and on Social Security, and no one will even talk with me. Can anyone give me any information on locked accounts not due to fraud???

      Reply
    • Hi Carol, I also received an email from DEO on 9/26 informing me that they have received my claim. I spoke to multiple agents and they’ve told me they didn’t know why I received the email and that it could have been a “late” email. I have been waiting 7 weeks for retroactive pay still nothing! Yesterday, I was told my request was in the 2nd tier and that their was 3 tiers. Does anyone know what that means? Please help!

      Reply
      • I’m self employed and applied in April……..Waited 3 month with status under review til they finally realized I was under PUA not reg. UI……So my first benefits came in the last 2 weeks of July giving me the two $600 payments……Now it’s been almost 4 months and no retroactive back pay……I spoke to many Supervisors and thought I was getting somewhere……I was wrong and they continue to tell me they can’t give me a time frame on when I would receive that pay……..I mean they can figure out our weekly claim in 1 day so what’s the hold up??……..No change on my Connect page as far as dates……I wish you luck.

        Reply
        • Hi I applied in April claim denied for Idk I’m independent contractor and again in July denied there system was screwed for sure! Just now getting a payment they owe me back so much money did you ever get your back pay?

      • How do y’all speak to agents? I can’t get thru and my claim payments are on hold it’s so frustrating

        Reply
      • I believe this is being done on purpose… its our tax money so why we do we not have working systems? Your using our money for this stuff! Where is the money going? I been waiting on back pay since covid.. take a year to unlock my claim. Expired benefits on file still waiting on those to claim $300 set to expire early. Government who we trust said they can end earlier then sept… they can end in June. And even stop now if they like… they keeping yo money. I bet nobody but the privileged will get they back pay.. remember they said money stimulus unemployment was all being racially structured.. but they trying not to do that… plus when did they ever do right by us.. but we listen to them and believe ….WHY??

        Reply
        • Governor DeSantis is a total asshat and will do whatever he thinks will look good to his people, forget trying to do right by the people that put his ass in that seat. Let’s see how next election goes. They are trying to tell me about some bs that I was over paid and needs to be paid back, well I was at their fault and it was paid in full in January. Let them try to double dip my money! I think we all need to sign the class action lawsuit!
          If you take that $300 plus the highest of $275, that barely put is right at what someone would make in a week with taxes and that’s not all that taxes… It’s only 10% and payroll taxes start at about 19% and higher. So without the extra money the good people of Florida will once again be thrown under the bus and trying to make ends meet and trying to still come out of catching up from 2020.

          Very sad and I’m among the people being effected by all this, and who’s going to look out for us? Damn sure isn’t this moron DeSantis.

    • Hi Carol, I received the same email on 9/26. I have been waiting 7 weeks for retroactive payment and still nothing

      Reply
      • Hi! My claim date changed to 9/13/2020 when I applied for pua. I’m qualified for the lwa benefits but have gotten nothing. I finished regular and peuc benefits, so what gives with no lwa yet?!

        Reply
        • You have to receive at least $100 in either some type of benefit to get the LWA. A lot of people are asking about their payments, but no one has said if they’ve checked in the Connect system. If you haven’t I’d check their first to see if you can get an idea. Also, always double check your inbox by putting a starting date from before you claimed for an inbox search so it pulls up everything from the beginning. Unfortunately, the problem is many people don’t know what they are doing or what to ask for when they call so they get wrong answers.

        • Oh yeah I received enough for my weekly benefit and do check the inbox at least 2x a week. I’m well aware of what’s what for my benefit situation but things can change and be different as they change the rules on all of us. Thank you for your reply.

        • What rules did they change? The LWA was a Trump executive order so that was put together on the fly. Other than that everything has been part of the original stimulus plan. I know people don’t like to think it’s their own fault when something’s not happening but the reality is that more times than not it’s something that person isn’t doing correctly.

        • All I meant was, the damn government will change rules on people and it gets confusing to some then it causes problems! And of course the people are to blame when things are messed up.

    • my checks got returned to the deo and i got an email saying i needed to update my adress. well i did the next day. i called the deo directly and got through a few times a few weeks later and told them my situation and they said that i would get all of my returned 600$ payments by direct deposit in at least 4 weeks. its been a little over 7 weeks now and iv only been paid for the waiting week just a couple days ago. it helps but my bills are piling up and the deo still has no info on when il get my checks back..

      Reply
      • Hi, hope everything turned better for you and your family; how did you request the waiting week?
        I got a job, but I still need some extra cash

        Reply
  14. So I spoke to someone at deo to backdate my unemployment date they filled out the paperwork and told me to wait it’s been almost 3 months now last Saturday I received a email saying they have received my claim I am hoping they are talking about the claim to back date tomorrow it makes 6 business days since I received the email fingers crossed the retroactive dates will be there. Has anyone else received this email and if so did you receive the retroactive dates and how long did it take after the email? Thank you

    Reply
    • Got an email on 9/26 saying claim received. Then on Nov. 1, all my retro weeks were available to claim. Which I did. I’m not sure what happens next, but, was told I should receive payment within 7-10 days. I

      Reply
  15. I am soooooooooooooo lost and don’t know what else to do. Back in March/2020 I applied for unemployment and was denied, because I did not meet the quarter in order to receive the regular unemployment benefit. The thing that I don’t understand is that I was still entitled to receive $600 PUA benefits which never appeared on my deo account. I spoke to customer service rep and explain the issue and was then told that I AM entitled $600 PUA and not understanding why I never received the PUA link that is suppose to appear in the system. Well 4 moths later (July/2020) I was told that I then qualify for regular Unemployment because it was a new quarter…. I received $140 (for regular unemployment benefits) and one $600 payment for PUA on the last week of July when it ended. I called back and asked why did I only received one payment of $600 and not the other 17 weeks of the $600 that I did not receive since March? I was told because I did not change my effective date in order to receive retro pay for it. So I had the submit the request the ending of July and never received the date change. I have been calling unemployment once a week and was told to be patient and that I am not the only one with retro payment issues… Well try telling that to my bills! I have three kids that needs and don’t know what else to do. I have been placed on 2 hrs hold waiting on someone to answer, I have been hung up on so many times, they hire new people that don’t even know their own rules. I had one agent tell me that I did not qualify for the PUA and that I had to be self employed for it. I informed him that he was incorrect and had to check his fact. After going back in forth with him he finally admitted to given me the wrong information and that he will have to speak to his supervisor to see what they can do… yeah right, the man hung up on me… I then had another agent tell me that my payment is being processed and even gave me the amount that I am suppose to receive for the 17 weeks which is 10,200 and said to given it 6 weeks to receive payment… liesssssssss. We are in October/2020 and still have not received back payment. I did however receive the $300 LWA for only 4 weeks which was for August. I need this retro payment and don’t even think I’ll ever get it.

    Reply
    • First and foremost the $600 wasn’t PUA it was FPUC. PUA is the unemployment benefits people receive if they don’t qualify for regular UC. FPUC was the additional Federal money that was paid to people who were eligible to receive at least $1 in some type of UC benefits either regular or PUA. So the good news is that, if you did get the FPUC than, somehow the system must show that you are or were eligible for PUA at some point. As far as the LWA you got that because you received at least $100 unemployment from the reconsideration. Being that your post shows that you are confused, I think it’s probably a safe bet that your answers probably are in your connect account and you don’t know how to find them. First thing is to go to your inbox on connect and put a search date for 01/01/2020 you don’t have to put an end date and click to search. That will show you all mail you have received from DEO which may provide you with info as to the problems you are having. Second go to the link to view determinations and there should be a link where you can see the information on anything that has been processed for you and why it did or didn’t go through.

      Reply
        • LOL. I mean were you just venting and not looking for answers? I mean when you’re trying to get help and you aren’t explaining things correctly, it’s hard for people to know exactly what you’re talking about if you don’t. If you can’t find the answers in connect then the only people who will be able to assist you is customer service at the DEO, which is as CNN now call’s things, a shit show. But no one here is going to be able to give you any more information on finding out what happened to any PUA you may be owed. But everything I replied should be able to help you. But there’s just some things you can’t fix.

    • I thought it was only me! I have experienced everything you just said!!! DEO is full of shit! Every agent has their own rules and no one can ever give you a straight answer!

      Reply
      • In order to get straight answers, sometimes you have to ask straight questions. And if you are agreeing to the post you replied to that means you also probably don’t know the correct questions you should be asking. It’s hard to answer a question if you don’t know what the person that’s asking is talking about.

        Reply
        • Does it matter ? Basically EVERYONE is getting the run around . My payments have been on hold for the whole month of April and the whole month of July . I have received both FPUC and PUA for June only . Like everyone else , I have checked in box – have checked my account repeatedly. It only says on hold . Like everyone else I have called and been told it is all set and wait . It is November! I have been calling since May for April and since July for July . WTF.

  16. I was receiving PUA and I called aug 8th to have my claim backdated to April 19th. Well the rep changed the date and it showed a new claim balance Instead of the balance I had of 3375. I have call over and over to try to get this fixed being that the reps are supposed to change the date(come to find out)
    Well finally as of sept 20th when I log into connect it’s showing my old balance again but there is a pending under the monetary and when I called again they said there was 3 issues of why My payments are still on hold. I’m trying to be as patient as possible but I keep being told oh just wait 10days. I have kidney disease and unfortunately my medication can’t be patient anymore
    How hard is it to get someone to fix it or some help being that the rep that changed the date in the first place should have known better. I’m going on 2 months of no payment and starting to stress about being able to get my medication that I have to have to survive. I just hope it’s fixed before to long

    Reply
    • lol.. yes I was venting and yes its a shit show… I guess it is what it is. Thanks for reading..lol

      Reply
  17. Received 1 check for $600 in August dated for June 13, 2020 it says they sent out 6 more $600 dated for June 25,2020 and haven’t received them in the mail yet. What is the hold up? Seriously

    Reply
    • You have checks that were sent out 3 months ago and you haven’t received them? I would call and have them reissued. Sounds like a mail problem. I received my checks about 5-7 days after I filed every 2wks like clockwork for 4 months.

      Reply
    • Did u ever get those checks cause I was told I had 7 600$ checks sent by mail dec 12 and today’s is the 23rd and have not gotten them yet

      Reply
  18. Good morning,

    I lost my job just before the start of Covid-19 so all compensation has been exhausted and it looks like I don’t qualify for PUA since my un-employment was not as a direct result of Covid -19, even though not being able to find employment is a direct result of Covid-19, any suggestions ?
    Will there be another extension to the claimable weeks ?

    Thank you

    Reply
  19. I only receive 94 in unemployment a week. Is that after taxes. Or am I not eligible for the 300 in Fl?

    Reply
    • I have not received any of the $300 payments. I am receiving my normal $275 a week every two weeks. But nothing with the extra $300. :-(
      I haven’t has an issue with an of my UE or the earlier $600 weekly. This is the first time since I filed in April that I haven’t gotten money on time. Hmm.

      Reply
    • When you filled out your application for unemployment there was a section about tax withholding. Did you choose to have the taxes deducted from your payments or choose to not withhold taxes and pay at the end of the year? If you’re receiving $94 in benefits and no taxes are being taken out then, No you don’t qualify for the $300. Have to receive $100/wk before taxes to qualify.

      Reply
  20. Florida, my 4th LWA payment was processed on September 14th. 3 days after I filed for the week ending Sept 5th.

    Reply
      • Susan, if you’re receiving Lwa payments in Florida you shouldn’t be owed anything at this point. If you received the first $900 that covered the weeks ending August 1,8,15th. Then we just received a fourth payment for the week ending 8/22. Florida wasn’t guaranteed anything more than the first 3wks. Governor desantis has to apply with FEMA for every week after those 3. And we were the 34th state to apply. The money could run out anytime. Hopefully we get paid for the 6 weeks projected and are paid through week ending Sept 5th, but there are no guarantees. And we just filed for regular unemployment benefits for the weeks ending Aug 29th &Sept 5th last week. So I’m hoping to get paid lwa benefits for those 2wks but I’m not expecting it.

        Reply
        • Yep, Florida only receiving 4 LWA payments. It’s over and done now. Governor desantis will not request any more weeks from the FEMA grant to cover LWA payments because the state can’t cover their $100 portion required to receive the LWA benefits. I’m confused as to why the state can’t cover their share since they have to pay unemployment benefits if someone is eligible, but that’s where we are. The statement is on the deo website and in many newspaper articles online.

        • Because it was a BS proposal. The Republicans knew it wouldn’t pass. And no there was no money for the states. It was $300 until EOY and some aid for small businesses. Something should be passed but not because it gives you more money now. Something needs to be passed that actually helps and is more beneficial for everyone. It’s going to be tough for multiple reasons I won’t get into because of politics, At this point though I’d rather just like to go back to work, but I can’t do that because Covid levels are still too high and still not enough jobs available.

        • Amen! Perfectly said. Pelosi just announced that they will stay in session until a relief bill is agreed on and passed. But there’s another recess coming up early next month for everyone to go home and campaign. I don’t have faith that everyone will stay, or that everyone wants a relief bill to pass. They could have skipped their summer recess if that was the case.

        • Yep – sad for Floridians. But looks like they don’t meet the requirement that 1/4 of their state claimants get at least $100 in existing UI benefits. Hence they won’t qualify for Weeks 5 and 6 of the program.

      • I haven’t received any of my LWA, I called and was told if I haven’t received it by Wednesday to call back. Any advice?

        Reply
        • Log in to connect and check your payment history to see when if the payments have been processed. Then depending on if you have direct deposit or the prepaid debit card will determine how long you have to wait. If you have prepaid card you have to wait for a check to be mailed.

        • Hi, thanks for the response. I checked and nothing since the last 600 in July. I’m back to work as of September 1, but I should still get the LWA. I haven’t been able to contact them at all this week.

  21. Lost wages check issued 9/8/20 just received 3 separate $300 checks in the mail 9/12/20. They’re coming, be patient, hope this helps someone.

    Reply
  22. Anyone received a set amount one day then the following day the $300 extra hit their account? Just wondering because when the $600 was in effect sometimes I’ll get it all in one lump sum then other times I’ll get state benefits then receive federal benefits the following day just wondering if this is the case with the $300 .

    Reply
  23. I’m from Florida and receive $275 for UI today I received $494 when I was expecting the extra $300 anyone can tell me why or if you are experiencing the same issue ?

    Reply
    • I also have received the same as of yesterday. But still no $300 in any fashion. What the hell gives? Just saying cause we all have bills to pay too.

      Reply
  24. If I moved but updated my contact info. Will the FPUC checks that were mailed out and sent back be sent to my new address?

    Reply
    • You will have to call and have the rep send an email to that department. They have to send it. Do not let them give you the email and tell you to send it. I had a payment processed but never received it. I’ve been waiting 5 weeks now. Was told it could take up to 10 weeks to receive new check. Hopefully, the post office would have forwarded them to you but if not, call. Hope that helps. Ive been on phone several times last month and get different answers but I believe this is proper way to handle this problem.

      Reply
  25. Hi,

    I hope someone can help me. According to my FPUC Summary I am missing 2 checks. I was sopposed to receive payment on 6/17 and 6/26. Need guidance.

    Reply
    • You have to call 1-800-204-2418 option 5. Tell the representative your issue. They will send an email to the proper department. Make sure they send it and not give you the email address and tell you to send it. I was told to send it myself and 2 weeks later I called back and was told not proper process. FYI, I’ve been waiting 5 weeks for one of my checks I never received. Told it could be from 4- 10 weeks to receive.

      Reply
    • Remember they had a million or more plus ppl apply But we requested back pay for both wife & I in end of June when FL had a form up(said to call after form was taken down) and just this week wife ONLY had backdate weeks to claim but not me. So, it will come to you but make sure you request them with customer service. Some on here even tho 600 expired July 31 said if U were eligible the weeks they approve your backdated $, your getting the 600 for those weeks also since they did NOT use all the funds . So far she requested back pay weeks that popped up on 1st page of connect monday, got direct deposit tuesday for regular $$, and the 600 did NOT (Backdated weeks) come yet. But someone last week (Destiny’s comments on here) said she got both but on different days.

      Reply
  26. For those wandering on how to check your retroactive Federal payments:

    First, login to Connect. Then, on the left hand side, click on “View and Maintain Account Information”. Then, click on “FPUC Payment Summary”.

    Remember, IF your state money is received by a debit card by the time your Federal money is approved, you should receive the Federal payments by PAPER CHECK.

    I your state money is received by direct deposit to your bank account by the time your Federal money is approved, then you should receive the Federal payments by DIRECT DEPOSIT as well.

    Hope this info helps!

    Reply
    • Marc, thank you. But I only got paid for three weeks retroactively from Aug 1st. Is that the end of the program? Or will we get the rest of August and/or more payments in the future?

      Reply
      • I too only got 900 (3 weeks of back pay for August) this week. What I read was due to this not being signed into Law & exec order by the President, they are using Fema $ left in an account. So, to make sure all 50 states get enough $ to give to their citizens for some help, Florida was approved for 900 or 3 back weeks to start. I am sure if there is money left over they will send/apply for more again. But thats the reason for the $900 since its not a set law like Cares act in March. FYI. We are all getting 900 only for now.

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        • Was it one check or three separate checks? Just wondering I’m still waiting for mine it says it was sent out Sept 8th and have yet to receive it.

  27. So I was originally laid off work back in March, and didnt think it would be that long. I am self employed contractor with a company full time working off commission. Around the beginning of April I tried logging in to file for benefits and it just kept kicking me out of the system. I assumed I wasnt eligible like i had suspected. Fast forward to the end of July and people are talking about the stimulus money ending and i mention what happened to me to someone a lot more knowledgeable than me about the system. I told them I guess since I was self employed contractor, that wasnt eligible. She corrected me and told yes i was under the PUA money, and told me there were problems with the system previously but guaranteed I was at least eligible to file. So I did and sure enough it went through this time. I was denied for regular unemployment just like she said i would be then filled out the other form for PUA money. I was approved for that with the claim date of August 2, around the time i filed for it I suppose. Okay so my question is, since my claim date is after July 31, will i still be able to file for all the weeks going back to March when i first lost my job? And will i be able to get the FPUC $600 dollar payment still? Even though I officially filed and have a claim date for August 2nd? Can i get the PUA money I am going to be receiving paid retroactively back to the date i would have initially filed for benefits back at the beginning of April? And if so, how in the world do I found out if i am eligible, and how do I get the process started?

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    • Yes, you are eligible for back pay up to the date you lost your job & you will get it, but when & how often is another question. I was in a very similar situation to you, originally applied in March & finally got approved for PUA on August 8th. I started getting my regular UI benefits but no $600 federal yet. I spoke to a very nice agent last week & she said although the system is supposed to automatically backdate all PUA claims to the date you filled out in your original claim application as your last day of work, it doesn’t always do that. So she put in a request for a change of date for me & said it might be weeks for it to process but it will. Once it does the weeks will be available to claim under the request payment option & you should receive the regular UI payments in one lump sum & then all the federal payments soon after. We are also supposed to get the $300 backpaid to 8/1 once that processes. I suggest calling the DEO line & having them look up your claim to make sure. Good luck!

      Reply
    • You have to call and use option 5. Tell them what happened and you want to backdate your claim. They will send email requesting new date. It took me about 3 weeks. When you log into Connect, watch to see the date change from Aug 2 to your actual date. Once that happens you will scroll down and see weeks to claim for all the back weeks. Once that happens, you get paid. You should be eligible for 600 wk backpay also. They tend to go hand in hand. Hope this helps.

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  28. Florida’s system is indeed broken and designed to make it difficult to complete the application correctly especially for computer challenged people like me. I started my first application on March 14th, 2020 and it was a nightmare from the beginning. Every time I got to the end of the application and hit the final submit button the site kicked me off, said there was an unexpected error and to try back again the next day. I kept trying and many days I was not even able to log on to the site. I called customer service for help several times, waiting for hours on hold only to be told that my application must be incomplete or have an error…..duhhhhh…. that’s why I was calling to ask for assistance as to what I was doing wrong. This went on for months, but finally got some help 3 days ago. I don’t know what they did, but a rep filled out my application as I was on the phone with her, and she put in the exact same answers and information that I had been doing since March. I wish I knew her name because she was wonderful, kind, understanding and happy to help unlike every other rep I have spoken to before and since. The rest of them were short, rude, and talked down to me like I was dumb and waisting their time. Anyway, 3 days ago I was finally approved and was able to request some weeks. I was only allowed to go back to May 24 instead of March 14, which was the day I first filled out the application. So right away I am losing a couple months of the federal payments, if I ever get them that is. I was issued a $625 payment on a state debit card, but I don’t have a debit card. This started a round of 3 phone calls to the debit card customer service people, each one with an hour and a half to a 2 hour hold time. No one could help me, they said the system would not let them issue me a card (?!?????) Until I spoke to the 3rd person, but their answer was only slightly better. I was told that they couldn’t mail my card out until the 25th, and yes I would have to call back on the 25th to ask them to mail it to me…..huh?!?? So another phone call on the 25th where I will have to wait an unknown amount of hours to talk to someone to ask them to mail me my card with my $625 already processed and paid to it. That’s only this part, I have not seen any $600 check, or heard any indication that I ever will. These payments that were made to my mystery debit card were from weeks I claimed in May and June, so the $600 payments were not ended yet, but will I ever see them? Will I ever have my claim made retroactive to the date I actually started this claim and nightmare journey? Or will the state of Florida just decide they need the money more than I do and make things even harder for me than they already have in hopes I will give up? I told them that I really need this money, I have sold everything of value that I own to keep living, all I have left is my dog and house but not sure how much longer I’ll have that. I have worked hard for 40 years, never asking for any assistance whatsoever and now that I’m in a desperate time of need for the first time in my life the system is failing me horribly and it seems no on cares what I, along with countless others are going through. The state of Florida along with mr desantis needs to stop patting himself on the back, trying to convince himself all is good (we know different, we are not living in the governor’s mansion) something needs to be done to fix this system so we can get the money that we are not only due, but the money we desperately need. I’ve had a good career and worked hard my whole life only to be abandoned at a time when I need help for the first time in my life. In 8 more months I will be able to collect my pension from 40 years of hard work, but I won’t make it that much longer. I haven’t been able to get any work since March, I have done all the right things and started my application March 14th, little did I know that August would be here and I still haven’t seen a penny. To add insult to injury, the first ray of light comes with a meager $625 payment that I can’t use because the system won’t let them issue me a debit card. That sounds awful fishy to me and hard to believe. It makes me doubt ill ever see any $600 federal payment, especially when they say all I can do is wait and have faith. I’ll be sure to remember that when I’m starving on the streets. Shame on you Florida and desantis for leaving your honest citizens out to fend for themselves while you live a life of luxury.

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  29. The system is broken…During an interview with CBS Miami last week, Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, admitted the state’s unemployment system was deliberately designed with several roadblocks to deter people from applying for benefits. The admission confirms claims from one of his advisers in an April 2020 interview with Politico that the state’s unemployment system was set up to make it difficult for people to obtain and continue receiving benefits.

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  30. It does take some time but in the end I have been paid every penny I was owed. I filed in May and never had to ask for backpay or backdated claim to 3/29. It just happened one day where I went on and they had backdated my claim to be correct and gave me all the backpay. It does seem like some are having many more problems. Hope it all works out for those who havent been paid everything they are owed.

    Reply
    • Thanks for the positive update Jeff. I have updated the article with more information from the DEO. Current their minimum processing time is 4 weeks (assuming no issues with filing). So just hang in there as they get caught up and see other options/issues in the article.

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      • In Florida.. my last day worked was July 2020.. I filed a claim and was told I didn’t qualify bc I’m a gig driver.. I tried again in October 2020 and was sent a letter that inwas ineligible for Ui but eligible for Pua.. I tried to sign on connect and just kept booting me out.. So I call and finally aftwr hour of calling I talk to a lady and I read her the letter I was sent saying that I qualify for pua and would be a sent the way 2go debit card. . I explained to her that I haven’t received a debit card and that I could not get on the connect site through no fault of my own. She them proceeds to tell me that I wasn’t eligible for the pua.. at that point i called the career center to get and get help with the website and they tell me that can’t help me. So I filed again in March 2021 and got my first chk in April 2021… Now I get a letter on 6 21 21 titled pandemic unemployment assistance notice of determination of entitlement under the cares act and it reads that I qualify for pua beginning November 1 2020 . So does that mean I will get backpay? I’ve been getting pua chks and the 300 boost since april 2 2021 but nothing before that. Is here something I need to do bc when I call and try a d get a straight answer from someone they just pass the buck. Plz help. It took me 3 weeks to get a hold of someone and she.coulsnt get a supervisor to do what they do so she tells memro call back in the morning. Of course I can’t get threw to anyone. Living in my truck with a cat ain’t cool when your 60 yrs old. Thanks in advance.

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