Just wanted to add one more tip that saved me last year - if you're using tax software like TurboTax or FreeTaxUSA, they usually have a specific section for unemployment income where you just enter the amounts from your 1099-G. Don't try to manually figure out where to put it on the forms yourself! Also, keep a copy of your 1099-G with your tax records. If the IRS ever has questions about your return, you'll need it as documentation. I learned this the hard way when I couldn't find mine during an audit review a few years back. The whole process is actually pretty straightforward once you have that 1099-G form in hand. The waiting and wondering is the worst part!

One thing I'd add is to be extra careful about your address with DEO! If you moved after filing your unemployment claim, make sure to update your address in the CONNECT system ASAP. The 1099-G gets mailed to whatever address they have on file, and if it goes to an old address, you might not get it until it's too late. I had a friend who moved during her unemployment period and forgot to update her address. She didn't realize until mid-February that her 1099-G went to her old apartment. By then the new tenants had probably thrown it away. She had to jump through hoops to get a replacement and nearly missed the tax filing deadline. You can update your address by logging into CONNECT and going to "Claimant Homepage" then "Personal Information" and updating your mailing address there. Better to do it now than scramble later!

Thanks for sharing this information about exhausted benefits - I'm in a similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful. I had no idea about the 211 service that Carmen mentioned. For anyone else struggling with the gap between benefits ending and new employment, I'd also suggest checking if your local food banks have emergency assistance programs beyond just food. Some offer small emergency cash grants or help with utilities. Also, if you're a parent, don't forget about WIC and other family assistance programs that might help stretch your budget. The whole system is definitely frustrating, but at least we can help each other navigate it. Good luck to everyone dealing with this!

As someone who recently went through this exact situation, I can confirm what others have said - there are no federal extensions available in 2025. It's heartbreaking because 12 weeks really isn't enough time, especially in today's job market. One thing that helped me was checking with my county's social services department - they had a small emergency assistance program I didn't know about that helped with one month of rent. Also, if you have any gig work options like Uber, DoorDash, or TaskRabbit, even doing that part-time can help bridge the gap until your new job starts. I know it's not ideal, but it kept some money coming in during those final weeks. Really glad you found that last week of benefits - sometimes those small wins mean everything when you're stressed about finances. Hang in there, and congratulations on landing the new job! The timing will work out.

I've been lurking in this community for months but finally decided to join after reading this thread - you all have given me hope that there's actually a solution to this nightmare! I'm dealing with the exact same missing claim weeks button issue. Been approved since February, got my monetary determination ($285/week), claim shows active, but I've only been able to claim 2 out of 7 weeks because the button just vanishes randomly. What's really frustrating is that I work in IT, so I know this isn't just a "glitch" - there's clearly some backend flag or hold that's triggering this behavior. The fact that multiple people are experiencing identical symptoms tells me this is a systemic issue with how CONNECT handles certain account states. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here and request an appeal hearing to get access to someone who can actually see what's going on behind the scenes. The regular reps have been absolutely useless - I've gotten answers ranging from "try clearing your browser cache" to "the system is just slow today." Meanwhile my rent is due and I'm rationing groceries. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and solutions. This community is literally a lifeline when the actual government system fails us so badly.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with the exact same issue for the past month - my claim weeks button keeps disappearing even though my claim is active and I have a monetary determination. I've been approved since mid-February but have only been able to claim 4 out of 9 weeks because the system is so unreliable. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea about these "hidden flags" or backend adjudication issues that regular reps can't see. I've called DEO probably 15 times and gotten completely different explanations each time - everything from "technical maintenance" to "your employer hasn't responded yet" (even though my separation was clearly voluntary resignation). @Beatrice Marshall - I'm really hoping your claim button comes back after completing that fact-finding questionnaire! Your update about the appeal hearing finding the hidden issue gives me so much hope. I think I need to request an appeal hearing myself just to get someone who can actually see what's wrong with my account. This whole situation is absolutely maddening. We're not asking for anything unreasonable - just access to benefits we've already been approved for! The fact that a simple button disappearing can block us from our money for months is completely unacceptable. Thank you all for sharing your strategies and keeping each other updated. This community support means everything when the actual system fails us so badly.

I just went through this same process a few months ago and wanted to share something that really helped me that hasn't been mentioned yet - check if your county has a "Rapid Re-employment" or "Back to Work" program. Mine had emergency cash assistance (like $500-1000) specifically for people who just exhausted unemployment benefits. You had to apply within 30 days of your benefits ending, so don't wait too long. Also, if you have any skills in construction, some temp agencies specialize in short-term construction gigs that can help bridge the gap while you're looking for permanent work. The pay isn't great but it's something. I found mine through Indeed by searching "construction temp" and "day labor." Another tip - if you're really desperate, some plasma donation centers pay decent money (like $50-100 per donation) and you can donate twice a week. I know it's not ideal but when you're facing eviction, every bit helps. Hang in there, the system definitely failed you but there are still ways to survive this.

I'm in the same boat right now - just exhausted my 12 weeks last Friday and I'm honestly panicking. Had no clue Florida was this stingy compared to other states. This thread has been a goldmine of information though. I'm making a checklist from all the suggestions here: calling 211, visiting CareerSource in person (not just online), checking for county rapid re-employment programs within the 30-day window, applying for SNAP immediately, and looking into those WIOA training programs with stipends. The construction temp work idea is brilliant too since that's my background. It's frustrating that none of this information is easily available when your benefits run out - they just cut you off with no guidance. But seeing how many people have navigated this and found resources gives me hope. Going to start making calls tomorrow and will report back on what I find in my county. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and advice!

Please help me understand why the middle class workers would vote for only 12 weeks of unemployment when we have worked all our lives. This change when Bush was in office in Florida however it was our governor. These are some of the things you do not realize you are voting for.......sad thing when you are voting against yourself

@Sabrina 3030 You're absolutely right about this being a policy choice that hurts working people. The reduction to 12 weeks happened in 2011 under Rick Scott, not Bush, but your broader point stands - these are exactly the kinds of policies that get buried in larger political conversations while having huge impacts on regular workers. What's particularly frustrating is that Florida also has one of the lowest maximum benefit amounts in the country (currently $275/week) AND the shortest duration. So we get hit with a double whammy - less money for fewer weeks than almost every other state. The justification is usually about "encouraging people to find work faster" and keeping business costs low, but as everyone in this thread can attest, 12 weeks isn't nearly enough time in a tough job market, especially for specialized fields like healthcare administration. You can be actively searching, doing everything right, and still run out of time simply because the market conditions aren't in your favor. It's one of those issues where people don't realize how inadequate the system is until they actually need it. Then you discover that this safety net you've been paying into for years barely catches you at all. The middle class gets squeezed the most because we make "too much" for most assistance programs but not enough to weather months without income. Thanks for pointing out the political reality behind these policies - it's important to connect the dots between voting choices and real-world consequences for working families.