DEO extension deadline today - urgent clarification on claiming final weeks needed

Extensions don't work the way you think. There's no automatic extension of benefits beyond your benefit year. Once your benefit year ends, you need to file a completely new claim. The $2,700 left in your balance doesn't carry over - that money just disappears if you don't use it by claiming all eligible weeks before your benefit year ends.

The previous commenter is partially correct, but I should clarify a few things. There are no automatic "extensions" in Florida's regular unemployment system (officially called Reemployment Assistance or RA). Your benefit year is typically 12 months from when you first applied, and you can receive up to 12 weeks of benefits within that year (19 weeks if Florida's unemployment rate triggers the extended benefits provision, which it currently hasn't). If you have unclaimed weeks before your benefit year ends, you should absolutely claim them today. After your benefit year ends, you'll need to file a new application if you're still unemployed, and DEO will determine if you qualify for a new benefit year based on any work you've done in the past 18 months. This is different from the pandemic when there were special extension programs like PEUC and PUA, but those no longer exist.

hey just fyi when ur benefit year ends and u apply again, they'll check if u had any work during the past benefit year. if u didnt work at all they probably wont approve u for a new year of benefits. u gotta have some new wages to qualify for a new claim. thats what happened 2 me

If you're struggling to get clear answers about your claim or the reapplication process, I'd strongly recommend trying Claimyr to get through to an actual DEO agent. The DEO phone system is practically impossible to navigate right now with all the people dealing with the same issue. I was in the same boat last month, and after days of busy signals I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got through to a rep in about 25 minutes who walked me through exactly what I needed to do with my end-of-year claim situation. They have a video demo of how it works here: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj. Definitely saved me from making mistakes with my final weeks.

When my benefit year ended in January, I had to wait a whole week after applying for a new claim before I could claim weeks again. There's definitely a gap while they process the new application. Make sure you have some money saved to cover that period! Also make ABSOLUTELY SURE you've completed at least 5 work searches for each week you're claiming today - they're super strict about that now.

YES they will 100% deny you if you don't have 5 work searches! They're not playing around with that requirement anymore. The system will let you submit with fewer, but you'll end up in adjudication and potentially have to pay back any money they determine you weren't eligible for. Take the time to do 2 more searches before you submit your claim today.

My husband went through this last year. There are NO extensions anymore - those were only during COVID. You need to apply for a whole new benefit year after your current one expires. The most important thing is making sure you've worked enough in your base period to qualify for a new claim. If you haven't worked AT ALL during your current benefit year, you probably won't qualify for a new one. That's why the system is designed to push people to find at least part-time work while on benefits.

Just to add some specific details that might help: when you reapply, DEO will look at your "base period" which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you apply. You need at least $3,400 in earnings spread across at least two quarters in that period. And yes, you will likely need to verify through ID.me again, but once you've done it before, the second time is usually much faster. Also, with the work search requirements - make sure you're documenting EVERYTHING. Name of business, position, date of application, how you applied, contact information, etc. DEO can audit your work searches at any time within 2 years of payment.

btw if ur planning to reapply make sure ur CONNECT acct password is up to date cuz mine expired rite when i needed to apply again and i got locked out for like 2 weeks trying to get it reset. total nightmare. check that today if u can