DEO denied my claim for 'no credits' - can I still get the $600 federal benefit?
Just got denied for regular FL unemployment because I don't have enough wage credits in my base period (only worked 3 months before layoff). The DEO CONNECT system shows 'INELIGIBLE' with reason 'insufficient credits.' I heard people talking about a separate $600 federal payment even if you don't qualify for state benefits? Is this still available in 2025 or was that just during covid? My friend said I should apply for PUA instead, but I can't find that option anywhere in CONNECT. Really confused about what to do next. My last employer said I should qualify for something. Anyone know if there's any way to get benefits when denied for 'no credits'?
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Ethan Clark
Unfortunately, the $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) was a temporary program during COVID that ended years ago. PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) also ended. In 2025, there are no federal supplements available if you don't qualify for regular state unemployment. If you were denied for insufficient credits, you might want to check if you're eligible for "Alternative Base Period" calculation. Sometimes DEO can use more recent quarters for your eligibility determination. Call and specifically ask about this option.
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Aisha Hussain
•Thanks for clarifying! I wasn't sure if those programs were still around. What's frustrating is I can't even get through to DEO to ask about the Alternative Base Period. Been calling for 3 days straight and either get busy signals or disconnected after waiting.
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StarStrider
my brother had same thing happen last month. they said no credits but he still got benefits after he appealed. DEO makes mistakes on wage calculation all the time!!! did you check to make sure all your w2s are actually showing in the system? sometimes they miss whole employers
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Aisha Hussain
•Wait really? I didn't even realize appealing was an option for this! I checked my wage transcript in CONNECT and it does look like they're missing my job from October-December 2024. How did your brother appeal? Was it just the regular appeal option or something specific to wage credits?
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Yuki Sato
The $600 and PUA benefits were specific to the pandemic period and no longer exist. However, if DEO is missing wage information as you mentioned in your reply above, you absolutely should appeal this determination. You have 20 calendar days from the date on your determination letter to file an appeal. Log into CONNECT, go to "Determination, Pending Issue and Decision Summary," find the determination about insufficient credits, and click "Appeal this Decision." You'll need to provide proof of your missing wages (paystubs, W-2, employment verification letter). Also make sure you request the Alternative Base Period calculation as mentioned above, which looks at more recent quarters. If you're having trouble getting through to DEO on the phone to discuss this, I'd recommend trying Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have a service that gets you through to a live DEO agent without the endless busy signals. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj. It saved me weeks of frustration when I had wage issues with my claim.
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Carmen Ruiz
•omg YES the appeal is the way to go!! i got denied for the exact same reason but my determination got reversed after i appealed. make sure you upload ALL of your paystubs tho, not just the w2. DEO's system is so broken they need everything spelled out for them lol
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Andre Lefebvre
Has anyone had any luck getting benefits with alternative base period?????? I'm in a similar situation (worked 4 months) and just wondering if it's worth the hassle of appealing or if I should just give up 😞
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Zoe Alexopoulos
•ABP is definitely worth pursuing if you have recent work history! The regular base period uses the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you filed. Alternative Base Period uses the last 4 completed quarters instead. Example: If you filed in April 2025, standard base period would be Q4 2023 through Q3 2024. But ABP would use Q1 2024 through Q4 2024, which might include more of your work history. You MUST specifically request ABP though - DEO doesn't automatically check it! And yes, I've seen multiple people get approved this way after initial denial.
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Jamal Anderson
Everyone saying the $600 doesn't exist anymore is RIGHT, but what they're NOT telling you is that the government will probably create ANOTHER emergency program this year because of the ECONOMIC CRISIS we're heading into. Mark my words, by summer 2025 there will be a new federal supplement because the system is BROKEN by design to keep us all dependent!!!!
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Ethan Clark
•There's absolutely no legislation currently proposed for new federal unemployment supplements in 2025. While economic conditions can change, it's irresponsible to suggest the OP should count on hypothetical future programs. They need solutions that exist now - like appealing the wage determination and requesting Alternative Base Period calculation.
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Mei Wong
hey just wondering if ur issue ever got resolved? going thru the exact same thing and i'm stressing
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Aisha Hussain
•Yes! I actually followed the advice here and appealed. I finally got through to DEO (used that Claimyr service someone mentioned - it actually worked!) and they confirmed they were missing my Q4 2024 wages. I submitted my appeal with copies of all my paystubs and specifically requested Alternative Base Period calculation. Got a new determination letter last week approving my claim! The weekly benefit amount isn't huge but it's definitely better than nothing. Definitely appeal if they're missing any of your wages!
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Yuki Sato
Just wanted to add that while you're waiting for the appeal, make sure you continue claiming your weeks even though you're currently ineligible. If your appeal is successful, DEO can only pay you for weeks you properly claimed. Many people miss out on backpay because they stop claiming during the appeal process.
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Aisha Hussain
•That's really good to know - I wouldn't have thought to keep claiming weeks while ineligible. The system is so confusing. Thanks for the tip!
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