anybody know if there are any extra programs we can apply for? $362 a week is literally impossible to survive on. my car payment alone is $410 😩

Just wanted to add my experience - I was also getting those confusing notifications about LWA updates. Turns out it was exactly what Omar mentioned - a system glitch sending alerts to everyone. I called using that Claimyr service Diego recommended and got through to a DEO rep who confirmed it's just the audit process for old 2020-2021 claims. If you weren't on unemployment during the pandemic, you can safely ignore the notification. Really wish DEO would be more transparent about these technical issues instead of leaving everyone confused!

That's awesome news! So glad you got your federal payments! For anyone still waiting - this is exactly how it usually works. The regular unemployment comes first, then the $300 FPUC payments follow within a few days to a week. The key thing is that if your claim weeks were during the time the federal program was active, you'll get those payments regardless of when DEO actually processes everything. Their system is slow but they do eventually pay what's owed.

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else waiting - I had a similar backpay situation last month and the federal $300 payments came through exactly 6 days after my regular benefits. The key thing I learned is that DEO processes them in batches, so don't panic if yours takes a few extra days compared to others. Also, if you're using the Way2Go debit card instead of direct deposit, it can add an extra 1-2 days for the money to actually be available on the card even after it shows as "paid" in CONNECT. So glad to see you got yours sorted out!

Just wanted to add that if your sister does apply and gets approved, she should be prepared for the weekly certification process. You have to log in every two weeks to certify that you're still unemployed and actively looking for work. Florida requires 5 work search contacts per week, and you need to keep detailed records of where you applied, when, and the contact info. Also, even if she qualifies, Florida's unemployment benefits are pretty low compared to other states - maximum is around $275/week for 12 weeks. It's better than nothing but probably won't cover much of her tuition costs. Still worth applying though if she has the work history! One more tip - if she does get benefits, she'll need to report any income from part-time work. Even small amounts can affect her weekly benefit amount, so keep track of everything.

Just to add to what others have said - the work search requirement can actually be helpful for students! When I was on unemployment, I counted things like attending career fairs, networking events, and even informational interviews toward my 5 weekly contacts. Your sister could use this as an opportunity to build her professional network while getting benefits. Also wanted to mention that if she does qualify and gets approved, she should set up direct deposit right away. Paper checks take forever to arrive and can get lost in the mail. The CONNECT system lets you add your bank info during the application process. One last thing - if her claim gets denied initially, don't give up! She has the right to appeal the decision. Sometimes the initial review misses important details about work history or the reason for job separation. The appeals process can take a while but it's worth it if you think the denial was wrong.

went through this last yr... try contacting 211 for emergency assistance programs in your area. also food banks have improved ALOT since covid - many now have fresh food not just canned stuff. churches sometimes help with utility bills too if ur desperate. good luck man the system is broken

Hey Keisha, I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago. It's really tough when you're counting on those extra weeks that just don't exist anymore. One thing that helped me was signing up for multiple temp agencies - places like Kelly Services, Adecco, and local staffing companies. Even if it's not your ideal job, temp work can bridge the gap while you keep looking for something permanent. Some of my temp assignments actually turned into permanent offers. Also, don't overlook gig work like DoorDash or Uber while you're job hunting - it's not great money but it's something coming in. The combination of SNAP benefits (definitely apply now!) plus some gig income can help you stretch through this period. Hang in there, the job market is brutal right now but you'll find something!

UPDATE: I finally got through to DEO after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned. The agent confirmed my application DID go through despite the crash! She said it was flagged for "manual review" because the system crashed during submission, but all my information was saved. It should be processed within 5-7 business days. For anyone else having this issue - definitely try to speak with an agent rather than just waiting and hoping. Such a relief to know I don't have to start over!

Glad to hear you got it sorted out! This is exactly why I always recommend calling DEO directly when there are system issues, even though it's a pain to get through. For future reference, you can also check your application status by logging into CONNECT and looking under "View and Maintain Account Information" > "Reopen/Additional Claim" - sometimes the status updates there before it shows up in your main dashboard. The manual review process usually takes 3-5 business days in my experience, so you should see movement soon. Thanks for updating us with the resolution!