DEO claim exhausted - what happens after my balance hits $0? Next steps?

ur done bro. once the money is gone its gone. florida only gives u like 12 weeks max anyway

The previous comment is only partially correct. Florida currently provides up to 12 weeks of Regular Unemployment Assistance (RA) when the state unemployment rate is below 5%. It can increase to a maximum of 19 weeks when unemployment rates are higher. When you exhaust your balance, that's it for this benefit year. You cannot file a new claim until your current benefit year ends (the date should be listed in your CONNECT account). There are NO automatic extensions in Florida currently - those were only available during COVID. You should receive a notice in your CONNECT inbox about your benefits being exhausted. Keep checking your account weekly even after funds are gone, as sometimes determinations or adjustments can still happen.

I went through this last year. Here's what you need to know: 1. Keep claiming weeks even when your balance is $0 (if your benefit year is still active) 2. This creates a record that you're still unemployed and looking for work 3. Visit your local CareerSource office ASAP - they can help with job placement and sometimes have info on additional resources 4. Apply for SNAP benefits if you haven't already Also, check if you might qualify for any partial benefits if you get part-time work. Sometimes even a small amount of work can trigger partial benefits that extend how long you can receive assistance.

I HATE THAT THEY DON'T EXPLAIN ANY OF THIS CLEARLY!!! When I exhausted my benefits last year I spent HOURS trying to get someone on the phone to explain what happens next. Could never get through those awful phone lines. Every day calling and getting hung up on automatically. RIDICULOUS SYSTEM!!!

You should also check to see if you're eligible for Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation if you had both W-2 and self-employment income before filing for unemployment. Most people don't know about this option and it might give you additional benefits depending on your situation. And definitely follow the advice to keep claiming weeks! I had a friend who got back pay months later because she kept claiming even at $0 balance.

my cousin said u can just file a new claim with a different email and phone # and they wont know its u... worked for him last year just sayin

Thanks everyone for the replies! I'm going to keep claiming weeks even with $0 balance (makes sense to keep the record going), and I'll check out CareerSource tomorrow. I've applied for SNAP already so hopefully that helps bridge the gap. I definitely won't be doing anything sketchy that could get me in trouble - not worth the risk! I might try that Claimyr service to get through to DEO just to confirm everything about my account status. Really appreciate all the advice!