DEO federal benefits in 2025 - will claiming for July weeks still include federal payments?

The federal benefits ended in September 2021. That was the $300 extra per week (FPUC). There are NO federal supplements anymore for regular unemployment. Florida only pays the base amount now (max $375/week). Anyone telling you different is wrong. The system is back to pre-pandemic rules.

To clarify what the previous person said - all the special pandemic programs expired a long time ago. This includes: - Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) - the extra $300/week - Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) - for gig workers - Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) - the extension program Florida's unemployment (they call it Reemployment Assistance) currently has a maximum of $375 per week, and you'll need to complete 5 work searches each week to remain eligible. Make sure you're entering those correctly in CONNECT.

The $375 is BEFORE taxes if you elect to have them withheld (which I recommend). And yes, 5 work searches PER WEEK is the Florida requirement now. Online applications absolutely count - just keep detailed records of where you applied, position, date, contact info, etc. The DEO can request proof of your work searches anytime for up to a year after you claim!

i was in same boat last year...restaurant industry too. the federal $ is LONG gone. florida unemployment is a joke compared to other states. after taxes i was getting like $320/week which barely covered half my bills. start applying EVERYWHERE even if its not restaurant work. the 5 work search requirement is no joke and they WILL deny your benefits if you don't do them or if they audit you and you can't prove it

If you need to actually talk to someone at DEO about your claim (which you probably will at some point because something ALWAYS goes wrong), try using Claimyr.com. It's the only way I could ever get through to an actual human. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj - basically connects you directly to a DEO agent instead of getting busy signals all day. Saved me so much frustration when my account got flagged for "identity verification" for absolutely no reason.

BTW make sure you're claiming your weeks ON TIME. The CONNECT system is super strict about this. If you miss your window to claim, you can lose those weeks completely. Your claiming schedule depends on your SSN - check the DEO website for your specific days. Don't wait until the last minute because the website crashes ALL THE TIME.

dont stress urself out 2 much... my roommate made more $ on FL unemployment + doordash (part time) than at his regular job. u can work part time and still get some benefits as long as u report it right. just dont go over the weekly $ limit or u get nothing

Thanks everyone for the helpful info! I'm a little disappointed about the federal benefits being gone, but at least I know what to expect now. I'll make sure to do all 5 work searches each week and document everything carefully. Really appreciate all the advice as a first-timer navigating this confusing system!