DEO extended benefits in 2025? Regular UI ran out but still unemployed

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Florida no longer offers any form of extended benefits as of 2025. The Extended Benefits (EB) program only kicks in when Florida's unemployment rate reaches extremely high levels - we're talking 8% or higher. Right now Florida's rate is hovering around 4.2%, so we're nowhere near the threshold. The COVID-era programs like PEUC and PUA that provided extensions are completely gone. Once you exhaust your regular 12 weeks of RA benefits in Florida, that's it from the state until you qualify for a new benefit year (which requires working and earning qualifying wages again). You might want to look into other assistance programs like SNAP/food stamps or temporary cash assistance through DCF while you continue your job search.

DEO is a JOKE!!!!! 12 weeks is the LOWEST in the entire country and they don't care at ALL what happens to us after that!!!! I ran out in February and they just cut me off completely. No warnings, no resources, NOTHING!!!! And good luck trying to talk to a real person about it - I called for THREE DAYS STRAIGHT and either got disconnected or was on hold for hours only to be told there's nothing they can do. The system is BROKEN!!!!

To give you the full accurate information - Florida's regular unemployment (called Reemployment Assistance or RA) provides benefits for 12 weeks when the state unemployment rate is below 5%. For each 0.5% increase in the unemployment rate above 5%, an additional week of benefits is added up to a maximum of 23 weeks. The current state unemployment rate is around 4.2%, so we're at the minimum 12-week benefit period. This is based on Florida Statute 443.111(5). Extended Benefits (EB) is a separate federal program that only activates during periods of extremely high unemployment (typically 8% or higher statewide, though the exact trigger can vary). This program is not currently active in Florida. If you've exhausted your regular benefits, I recommend: 1. Continue your work search activities and document them 2. Visit your local CareerSource center for employment assistance 3. Check eligibility for other assistance programs through DCF 4. If you find employment but later lose it, you may qualify for a new claim after earning sufficient wages

When I exhausted my benefits last month, I was in complete panic mode too. Have you tried reaching out directly to a DEO agent? They can sometimes provide other resources or at least confirm if there's any possibility of extension. I spent days trying to get through on the regular numbers with no luck, but then I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to a real DEO agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending hours on hold just to get disconnected. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj The agent confirmed I couldn't get more benefits, but at least gave me info about some local programs that might help. Worth a try if you're hitting walls trying to get clear information.

idk about extended stuff but when mine ran out i applied for food stamps right away and got approved in like 10 days. at least helps with groceries while ur still looking. the application is on the dcf website

Going back to your question about the unemployment rate - the 6.5% number you mentioned might be referring to the federal guidelines for certain programs, not Florida's specific rules. Florida's threshold starts at 5% for adding additional weeks. You can check Florida's current unemployment rate on the Department of Economic Opportunity's website under Labor Market Statistics or on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. They usually update it monthly. Unfortunately, even if we did hit 5% tomorrow, it wouldn't help your current claim. Any increase in available weeks would only apply to new claims filed after the rate change takes effect.

my sister moved to georgia after her benefits ran out here cuz they give more weeks there. something to think about maybe?

I wanted to update everyone - I used the Claimyr service that was suggested and actually got through to a DEO agent! They confirmed everything that's been said here - no extensions available right now with the current unemployment rate. The agent suggested I look into the Short Time Compensation program if I can find an employer willing to hire part-time, as that can sometimes help bridge the gap. Also applying for the other assistance programs mentioned here. Thanks for all the information and help. This forum has honestly been more useful than the official DEO sources!

As someone who went through this exact situation last year, I feel your pain. The 12-week cutoff is harsh, especially when you're actively job searching in a competitive field like healthcare administration. One thing that helped me was reaching out to professional associations in healthcare admin - many have job boards or networking events specifically for members who are between positions. The Florida Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (FAHAM) has resources that might be helpful. Also, don't overlook temporary staffing agencies that specialize in healthcare administration. Even short-term assignments can help bridge the income gap while you search for permanent positions, and sometimes they lead to full-time offers. The financial stress is real, but hang in there. The market will turn around, and your persistence with the job search will pay off. Keep documenting everything for when you do find your next position - you'll need that work search record for any future claims.

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits are ending in about 3 weeks and I'm dreading it. Healthcare admin jobs are so scarce right now, especially in Tampa Bay where I'm searching. It's frustrating that Florida has such a short benefit period compared to other states, but at least this thread has given me some concrete next steps. I'm definitely going to apply for SNAP before my benefits run out, and I'll look into the CareerSource center resources. Has anyone had success with their job placement services, or are they mainly just for general advice? Also thinking about broadening my search to include some adjacent fields like medical billing or practice management to increase my options. The stress of potentially having zero income is keeping me up at night, but reading everyone's experiences here helps me feel less alone in this situation. Thanks for creating this post @Khalid Howes - sometimes you need to hear the hard truth even when it's not what you want to hear.

I'm going through something similar right now - my benefits ended two weeks ago and the transition has been really tough. What helped me was getting organized immediately with all the alternative resources people have mentioned here. I applied for SNAP the day after my last payment and got approved in about a week. Also reached out to local food banks and found a few that specifically help unemployed professionals - no shame in using these resources, that's what they're there for. One thing I discovered that might help you is checking if your local hospitals or health systems have any "bridge" programs or temporary positions for admin staff. Sometimes they don't post these widely but will create short-term roles if you reach out directly to HR departments. I got a 6-week temp assignment this way that's helping cover some expenses. The hardest part mentally was accepting that this might take longer than expected, but having multiple income streams (temp work, gig economy stuff, assistance programs) has made it more manageable. Keep your head up - healthcare admin experience is valuable and the market will improve.

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago and want to share what I learned. Florida's system is definitely harsh compared to other states, but there are some things that can help bridge the gap that haven't been mentioned yet. First, check if you qualify for any professional development or retraining programs through your local workforce board. Some of them offer stipends while you're in training, which can provide some income while building new skills. I found a medical coding certification program that had a small weekly allowance. Also, don't overlook remote work opportunities outside of Florida. Many healthcare admin roles can be done remotely now, and you're not limited to Florida's job market. I ended up finding a position with a company in North Carolina that I do completely remote from home. For immediate help, contact 211 (dial 2-1-1). They can connect you with local assistance programs, food banks, utility assistance, and other resources you might not know about. Each county has different programs available. The income cliff is real and scary, but with some creativity and persistence, you can make it through this gap period. Document everything for your taxes too - job search expenses can sometimes be deducted.

I'm in a really similar boat and this thread has been so eye-opening. My benefits run out in about 10 days and I've been frantically trying to figure out what comes next. The healthcare admin job market is absolutely brutal right now - I've been searching for 3 months with very little response despite having 8 years of experience. What's really frustrating is that I've been paying into this system for years, and 12 weeks feels like nothing when you're dealing with a tough job market. I understand the economics behind it, but it's still disheartening to see how little support there is compared to other states. I'm definitely going to try some of the suggestions here - applying for SNAP immediately, contacting CareerSource, and looking into remote opportunities outside of Florida. The idea about reaching out directly to hospital HR departments for bridge programs is brilliant. I never would have thought of that approach. Has anyone had luck with healthcare staffing agencies during their gap period? I'm wondering if taking on some temporary assignments might help both financially and to keep my skills current while I continue searching for something permanent. At this point I'm open to anything that can help bridge this income cliff we're all facing. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and resources - this community support means more than you know when you're dealing with this stress.

I'm currently going through this exact situation and wanted to add a few resources that have helped me during this transition. After exhausting my 12 weeks last month, I discovered that some community colleges offer "incumbent worker training" programs that provide small stipends while you learn new skills. I found a healthcare informatics certificate program that pays $200/week during the 8-week course. Also, if you're struggling with utilities or rent, many counties have emergency assistance programs that aren't well publicized. Orange County has a rapid rehousing program, and Broward has utility assistance specifically for unemployed residents. The application processes are usually pretty quick if you have your documentation ready. One more thing - I started doing medical transcription work through Rev and GoTranscript while job searching. It's not great pay (maybe $300-400/month) but it's flexible and keeps some healthcare-related skills sharp. Every little bit helps when you're facing that benefit cliff. The mental health aspect of this transition is tough too. Don't hesitate to look into sliding-scale counseling services if the stress gets overwhelming. Many therapists understand the unemployment situation and will work with reduced rates. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as the financial planning during this period.

Please help me understand why the middle class workers would vote for only 12 weeks of unemployment when we have worked all our lives. This change when Bush was in office in Florida however it was our governor. These are some of the things you do not realize you are voting for.......sad thing when you are voting against yourself

@Sabrina 3030 You're absolutely right about this being a policy choice that hurts working people. The reduction to 12 weeks happened in 2011 under Rick Scott, not Bush, but your broader point stands - these are exactly the kinds of policies that get buried in larger political conversations while having huge impacts on regular workers. What's particularly frustrating is that Florida also has one of the lowest maximum benefit amounts in the country (currently $275/week) AND the shortest duration. So we get hit with a double whammy - less money for fewer weeks than almost every other state. The justification is usually about "encouraging people to find work faster" and keeping business costs low, but as everyone in this thread can attest, 12 weeks isn't nearly enough time in a tough job market, especially for specialized fields like healthcare administration. You can be actively searching, doing everything right, and still run out of time simply because the market conditions aren't in your favor. It's one of those issues where people don't realize how inadequate the system is until they actually need it. Then you discover that this safety net you've been paying into for years barely catches you at all. The middle class gets squeezed the most because we make "too much" for most assistance programs but not enough to weather months without income. Thanks for pointing out the political reality behind these policies - it's important to connect the dots between voting choices and real-world consequences for working families.