Final DEO payment coming - need budget advice until I find a job

I've been exactly where you are. When my benefits ended last year, these things helped me survive until I found work: 1. Call 211 - they connect you with local assistance programs for rent, utilities, and food 2. Apply for SNAP benefits immediately (food stamps) 3. Most utility companies have hardship programs - call each one 4. Check with county government for emergency rental assistance 5. Food banks! No shame in using them - I went to one run by a local church 6. Job-wise, try temp agencies while you search for permanent work Don't wait until you're completely out of money to start reaching out for help. Most assistance programs take time to process applications.

call 211. thats wat i did. they helped w/ my electric bill when i was 2 months behind. also check churches in ur area, alot of them do food pantries twice a month. u dont have to be member.

When my UI benefits ran out in March, I was completely panicking. Similar situation - had applications out everywhere but nothing was moving fast enough. Here's what worked for me: - Created a bare-bones budget cutting EVERYTHING non-essential - Called all creditors (credit cards, car loan) explaining the situation and asking for hardship options - Applied for Medicaid to cover healthcare - Found a gig doing food delivery while job hunting - Negotiated with my landlord for a payment plan (bring documentation showing your benefits ended and job search efforts) Also, don't forget to check for community action agencies in your county. They often have emergency assistance funds specifically for people transitioning off unemployment benefits. The key is being VERY organized with your paperwork - have your DEO determination letters, bank statements, and job search documentation ready for any assistance applications.

I HATE how DEO just cuts people off with barely any warning!!! When my benefits ended last year I had ONE WEEK notice. After paying into the system for YEARS I got 12 WEEKS of help then NOTHING. The system is BROKEN!!! The whole thing is designed to make us desperate so we'll take ANY job no matter how terrible the pay or conditions. That's why benefits are so short in Florida compared to other states. Don't get me started on how they make it impossible to talk to anyone at DEO when you have questions. The phone system is a joke - busy signals and disconnections constantly.

Hey I know its rough right now but please remember things WILL get better! When my benefits ended I had to move in with family for 3 months until I found work. Not ideal but sometimes we need temporary solutions. Is that an option for you? Also check out your local CareerSource office - they sometimes have emergency grant programs for people whose unemployment is ending. They helped me get into a short training program that led to my current job. Please take care of your mental health during this time too. Florida has a free emotional support line at 833-848-1762. They helped me through some really dark moments last year when I was feeling hopeless.

One more thing that really helped me - ask for a detailed breakdown of your final benefit payments from DEO so you know exactly when they'll arrive and how much they'll be. Some people get surprised by partial final payments. If you're within 30 days of benefits exhausting, you can also ask if you qualify for any benefit extensions. There usually aren't any in Florida unless there's a special program running, but it never hurts to check. And start looking into healthcare options NOW if your insurance was tied to your job. The Healthcare Marketplace has special enrollment periods for people losing benefits.

Thank you everyone for the advice. I called 211 yesterday and they connected me with a few local resources. I've got appointments set up with two assistance programs next week. Also applied for SNAP benefits online - the application wasn't as complicated as I feared. I'm going to check out the CareerSource office tomorrow and see what they offer. Still feeling anxious but at least I have some concrete steps to take now instead of just panicking. And I'll definitely look into Claimyr to reach DEO about my final payment details. Need to make sure I understand exactly what's coming and when so I can budget properly.

When my unemployment ran out I started donating plasma twice a week. Brought in about $400/month which helped a lot with groceries. Not ideal but it was something when nothing else was coming in.

One last thought - when you're budgeting those final DEO payments, remember they're taxable income. If you didn't have taxes withheld, set aside some money for potential tax bills next year. I made that mistake and got hit with an unexpected tax bill after my benefits ended. And keep documenting EVERYTHING related to your job search. Some assistance programs want proof you're actively looking for work. Most importantly - don't lose hope. I was unemployed for almost 5 months after benefits ended, but eventually found something. It's incredibly stressful, but you will get through this.