Can college students qualify for DEO benefits if summer jobs were canceled? PUA question

Sorry to break it 2 u but that was only during the pandemic when they had the PUA program (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance). It let people who wouldn't normally qualify for regular unemployment get benefits, including students with job offers that got cancelled. The extra $600 was the FPUC payment on top. Both programs ended YEARS ago. Now we're back to regular FL unemployment rules which are super strict - you need work history over the last 18 months to qualify, and students usually don't have enough earnings history. The DEO website barely mentions PUA anymore cause its been gone so long.

The previous commenter is correct. What you're referring to was the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program which ended several years ago. That temporary federal program expanded benefits to people who wouldn't normally qualify for regular state unemployment, including students who had job offers rescinded. In 2025, Florida DEO follows pre-pandemic rules, which require: - Work history in at least 2 quarters of the base period (typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters) - Minimum earnings requirements - Job loss through no fault of your own A canceled summer job offer for a student likely wouldn't qualify under current DEO rules unless your sister has sufficient prior work history. She would need to have earned at least $4,125 in the base period and meet other requirements. If she needs financial assistance, she should look into: 1. Emergency financial aid through her university 2. SNAP benefits (if eligible) 3. Part-time work opportunities 4. Additional student loan options

I went thru this EXACT situation!!! Applied for benefits after my restaurant job got cut (was supposed to be assistant manager) and DEO was a NIGHTMARE to deal with. Called 57 TIMES in one day and couldn't get anyone. When I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com - they have this service that connects you to a DEO agent without waiting forever, check their demo: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj), the agent told me I didn't qualify because I didn't have enough work quarters. Seriously, if your sister doesn't have like 6-7 months of work history before this, don't even bother with DEO. Their system is designed to reject as many people as possible. The agent I spoke with was actually nice and suggested I look into emergency grants through my university instead.

Everyone saying students can't get benefits isn't 100% accurate. It DEPENDS on her work history! If she worked part-time during the school year, AND last summer, she MIGHT have enough quarters/earnings to qualify. Don't let people discourage you from at least CHECKING eligibility on the CONNECT system! My roommate is a student and DID qualify for regular unemployment (not PUA) when her job at the hotel ended. But she had worked there for a year already.

The requirements for Florida unemployment through DEO are quite specific. For your sister to qualify in 2025, she would need: - Wages in at least two quarters of the base period - Total base period wages of at least 1.5 times the highest quarter earnings - Minimum of $4,125 in earnings during the base period - Job separation that wasn't her fault A canceled internship offer alone wouldn't qualify her unless she has sufficient work history from previous jobs. The PUA program that covered people with job offers was specifically a COVID relief measure. If she does have enough work history from the campus bookstore and previous summer job, she should definitely apply through the CONNECT system. The worst they can do is deny the claim. Make sure she has all her employment records organized before applying.

has ur sister tried applying yet? i did that last spring break and its really confusing!! the connect website kept crashing when i tried uploading my work history docs. ended up giving up tbh

Based on your latest comments, since your sister has worked at the campus bookstore for a year and a half plus had a summer job last year, she should definitely apply. Here's what she'll need to do: 1. Gather all employment information (dates, employer addresses, pay stubs) 2. Create an account on CONNECT if she doesn't have one already 3. Complete the initial application 4. Be prepared to submit documentation about the internship cancellation (emails, offer letter, cancellation notice) 5. Complete the required work search activities each week if her claim is approved Since she has an established work history, she might qualify for regular Reemployment Assistance (RA) through Florida DEO. The canceled internship would be considered job loss through no fault of her own. If she has trouble getting through on the DEO phone lines or needs help with her application, having someone who's successfully navigated the system can be invaluable. The DEO typically processes applications within 2-3 weeks, but it can sometimes take longer.