DEO FEMA extra $900 payment lump sum vs. weekly installments — what's happening?
Just heard on the radio that Rep. Val Demings is pushing for the FEMA extra unemployment money to be paid in one lump sum instead of three weekly payments. According to what I heard, we should be getting $300/week for 3 weeks (total $900) backpaid from August 1st, but only if we're already receiving at least $100 in UI benefits. Demings mentioned she thinks it probably won't end up being one payment, which sucks because a lot of us could really use that lump sum right now. Has anyone heard any updates on this from DEO? Their website is completely useless as usual - nothing about when these payments are coming or how they'll be distributed. My regular UI payments have been consistent, but I'm counting on this extra money to cover my car insurance that's about to lapse. Wondering if anyone has insider info or has talked to a DEO rep recently about this?
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Ava Rodriguez
I spoke with a DEO agent yesterday after THREE HOURS on hold. Here's the actual facts: The $900 is definitely coming, but they haven't even finished programming their system to distribute it yet. The agent told me they're aiming to have the payments out by end of month, and it will most likely be three separate $300 payments, not one lump sum. The qualification date is August 1st, so if you were eligible for regular unemployment and receiving at least $100/week at that time, you'll get all three payments retroactively. Rep. Demings is right that a lump sum would be better, but DEO's ancient CONNECT system apparently can't handle processing it that way. The agent also mentioned that these payments will show up separately from your regular unemployment deposits.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•Thank you so much for this update! End of month is at least something to plan around. Did they mention if the payments will come weekly once they start, or if all three separate payments might come closer together?
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Miguel Diaz
my freind works at deo and she said the system keeps crashing when they try to proces the payments lol typical florida
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Zainab Ahmed
•That's Florida DEO for you 🙄 Not surprised at all! They still haven't fixed my claim from 3 months ago.
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Connor Gallagher
wait im confused.. is this different from the $600 federal money that ended? or is this something new?
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AstroAlpha
•This is different. The $600 FPUC payments ended July 31st. This new program is called Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) and provides $300/week for three weeks, retroactive to August 1st. It's funded by FEMA disaster relief money through an executive order, not through Congress like the previous $600 payments were. That's why it's only $300 instead of $600, and only for a limited time. Also, you must be receiving at least $100 in regular unemployment benefits to qualify - that's a new requirement that wasn't part of the FPUC program.
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Yara Khoury
Has anyone who's been calling actually gotten through to ask questions? I've been trying for DAYS with no luck - just disconnects after sitting on hold. I'm so frustrated I could scream! My bills are piling up and I need to know when this money is coming. My regular benefits are barely covering my rent, and my car payment is already late. 😩
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Keisha Taylor
•You should try using Claimyr to get through to a DEO agent faster. I was in the same situation last week - kept getting disconnected after waiting on hold forever. Someone on another thread recommended Claimyr (claimyr.com), and I was skeptical but desperate. Basically, they call DEO for you and then connect you once they get through to an agent. Worked like a charm - I got connected to a real person in about 40 minutes instead of trying for days. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj that shows how it works. Definitely worth it to get actual answers about your claim and these FEMA payments.
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Zainab Ahmed
I don't understand why they make everything so complicated!!! Why not just give people the money all at once? My neighbor in Georgia already got his lump sum payment last week. Florida always has to be difficult about everything unemployment related. 😡
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Ava Rodriguez
•It's frustrating for sure, but from what the DEO agent explained to me, it's a technical limitation. Their CONNECT system was coded to process supplemental payments on a weekly basis, like the old $600 payments. Apparently reprogramming it to handle lump sums would delay the money even more. Georgia's unemployment system is newer and more flexible. But I agree - Florida's unemployment system seems designed to be as difficult as possible.
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Dmitry Smirnov
UPDATE: Just got off the phone with DEO (thanks to those who suggested different ways to get through). The agent I spoke with confirmed they're starting to process the payments next week, but they'll be distributed in three separate $300 payments, probably a few days apart. She said everyone should have all three payments by October 5th at the latest. She also mentioned that people who were on PUA with less than $100 benefits won't be eligible, which is terrible for gig workers and self-employed people who are getting the minimum PUA amount. Still frustrating that it's not a lump sum, but at least there's a timeline now.
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Connor Gallagher
•thanks for sharing the update 👍 good to know when to expect it
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Yara Khoury
•That timeline helps a lot! Was worried about my electric bill. Did they say if we need to do anything special to get these payments, or will they just automatically show up if we qualify?
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AstroAlpha
For those needing clarification on eligibility: To receive the LWA $300 supplement, you must: 1. Have been eligible for regular unemployment (UI), PUA, or PEUC during the weeks beginning August 1, 8, and 15, 2025 2. Be receiving at least $100 per week in benefits 3. Be unemployed or partially unemployed due to COVID-19 disruptions The LWA payments are subject to federal income tax but not state tax. They should appear in your CONNECT account payment history once processed, though they may show up under a different category than your regular benefits. Based on my experience with previous supplemental payments, they'll likely appear in your account 1-2 business days before hitting your bank account or Way2Go card.
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Dmitry Smirnov
•This is super helpful, thanks! One quick question - what about people who were eligible during those weeks but have since returned to work? Will they still get the retroactive payments?
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AstroAlpha
•Yes, if you were eligible during those specific weeks (Aug 1-15), you should receive the payments even if you've returned to work since then. The eligibility is based on your status during those three weeks, not your current status.
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