Can I apply for Federal assistance while my FL reemployment claim is still pending?

Hey there, sorry you're stuck in pending! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's no Federal pandemic assistance available in 2025. Those programs (PUA, PEUC, etc.) all ended years ago after the pandemic. Florida only has regular state Reemployment Assistance now. Your claim is probably stuck in the identity verification queue or adjudication. How long has it been pending?

The previous reply is correct - there aren't any federal pandemic programs available now. Those all ended back in 2021. Your state claim needs to be processed first, and then if you're eligible, you'll receive regular FL reemployment benefits (max $375/week for up to 12 weeks). If your claim is just pending, it's likely going through either identity verification or adjudication. Have you completed ID.me verification? That's usually the first holdup for new claims.

lol good luck getting thru to anyone at DEO!! my claim was stuck for 6 WEEKS and never got any help from them. kept saying "pending adjudication" whatever that even means

I went through this exact same situation two months ago, and after almost THREE WEEKS of pending status, I finally got someone on the phone who told me they needed additional employment verification that wasn't even showing up as needed in my CONNECT account! So frustrating! The system is completely broken, but once I uploaded the documents they requested, my claim was approved within 2 days. Don't wait for them to contact you - you need to be proactive about getting through to a real person.

After dealing with the same frustration trying to reach DEO, I discovered a service called Claimyr that got me connected to a DEO agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days redialing. Their system basically keeps calling for you and puts you in line when there's an opening. Saved me so much time and stress when my claim was stuck in pending for similar reasons. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj and their website is claimyr.com. Just sharing since it helped me figure out why my claim was stuck.

To directly answer your original question: You must wait for a determination on your regular Reemployment Assistance (RA) claim before anything else can happen. Currently, there are no additional federal programs available as others have mentioned. The most common reasons for a "pending" status are: 1. Identity verification issues (even if ID.me showed successful) 2. Wage verification needed 3. Employment separation reason under review (adjudication) 4. Work search verification 5. Availability for work questions The DEO system doesn't always show what's holding up your claim, which is why speaking with an agent is so important. If you can get through, they can tell you exactly what's needed. Make sure you're still claiming your weeks during this pending period - that's very important.

One other thing to watch for - check your CONNECT inbox daily. Sometimes they send requests for additional information with strict deadlines, and the system doesn't always email you notifications. Missing those deadlines can result in denial of benefits and having to appeal, which takes even longer.

my freind works at deo and she told me they have HUGE backlog right now, so everyone is waiting weeks longer than normal. something about system upgrades causing problems???

Update: I used Claimyr this morning and actually got through to someone! The agent said my claim was pending because they needed additional proof of my last day worked (even though I submitted that with my initial application). She sent me a link to upload the document, and said my claim should be processed within 48-72 hours after they receive it. Thanks everyone for your help!