Florida DEO Lost Wage Assistance Program update - what's changed in 2025?
Hey everyone! I just saw something on my CONNECT dashboard about an 'important update' to the Lost Wage Assistance program for Florida, but when I clicked on it, the link was broken. Has anyone else seen this notification? I'm confused because I thought LWA ended years ago during COVID. Is DEO bringing back some kind of similar supplemental payment program in 2025? My regular unemployment benefits aren't much ($362/week) and anything extra would really help while I'm looking for work after my marketing position was eliminated last month. I've tried calling DEO three times today but just get the endless hold music and then disconnected.
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Freya Pedersen
saw the same thing yesterday!!! so frustrating when they put up notifications with broken links. classic DEO move lol. i've been on unemployemnt since feburary and havent heard anything about LWA coming back. probably just a glitch in their system.
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GalacticGuru
•Thanks for confirming I'm not the only one seeing it! Super annoying. Did you try calling them about it?
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Omar Fawaz
This is actually related to a system-wide audit of past LWA payments from the pandemic era. The DEO is reviewing cases from 2020-2021 where they believe some claimants may have received incorrect LWA payment amounts. It's not a new program being implemented - they're just checking if they overpaid or underpaid people during the original program. If you weren't on unemployment during 2020-2021, it shouldn't affect you at all. They announced this audit process last month but the notification system is clearly causing confusion. The official statement is on their website under "Program Updates" but it's not prominently displayed.
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GalacticGuru
•Thank you for explaining! I wasn't on unemployment during the pandemic, so I guess it doesn't apply to me. Wonder why I got the notification then? Their system is so confusing.
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Chloe Anderson
OMG I thought it meant we were getting extra money again!!! So disappointed. $362 a week barely covers anything with rent prices in Florida now ðŸ˜
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Diego Vargas
If you're trying to reach someone at DEO about this or any other issues with your claim, I'd recommend trying Claimyr. I was stuck in the endless phone loop too until I found their service. They basically connect you directly to a DEO agent and skip all the hold time. Worked great for me when I had questions about my adjudication status last month. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a demo video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj
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GalacticGuru
•Thanks for the tip! I'll check that out. At this point I'm willing to try anything to get through to a real person.
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Anastasia Fedorov
•does that actually work? seems sketchy to pay just to talk to DEO when its their job to answer the phone
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Diego Vargas
•It's frustrating that we even need to consider alternatives, but yes, it does work. I was skeptical too, but after spending 3 days trying to get through on my own with no luck, I gave it a shot. Got connected to a DEO rep in about 20 minutes. Definitely beats the alternative of waiting indefinitely.
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StarStrider
The ENTIRE Florida unemployment system is a NIGHTMARE designed to frustrate people into giving up!!! I've been fighting with them for 11 weeks over a simple issue with my account that could be fixed in 5 minutes if anyone would actually ANSWER THEIR PHONES. These broken links and confusing notifications are just another example of their incompetence. They probably accidentally reactivated an old system notification from 2020 and don't even realize it's causing mass confusion. TYPICAL!!!!
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Chloe Anderson
•Exactly!!! The system is designed to be confusing on purpose!
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Omar Fawaz
To address some confusion here: The notification appears to be going out to everyone currently in the CONNECT system due to a technical error. I spoke with a DEO representative yesterday about a different matter, and they mentioned they're aware of the issue and working to fix it. Regarding the audit itself: It only applies to people who received LWA payments (the extra $300/week) during August-September 2020. If you're concerned about potential overpayments from that period, you can check your payment history in your CONNECT account under "View and Maintain Account Information" and then "Payment History." Also, there is no new supplemental payment program planned for 2025 at this time. The maximum weekly benefit amount in Florida remains $375, and the minimum is $32, based on your previous wages.
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GalacticGuru
•Thanks for the clarification! That makes much more sense. I checked my Payment History section and there's nothing unusual there, just my regular weekly benefits. Wish they'd fix these notification issues faster though.
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Sean Doyle
when i was on unemployment during covid i remember getting an overpayment notice for LWA like 8 months after i already got back to work. had to pay back $900 which sucked. maybe check if they're sending you something about that? i never even knew i got overpaid until the letter came.
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Freya Pedersen
anybody know if there are any extra programs we can apply for? $362 a week is literally impossible to survive on. my car payment alone is $410 😩
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Omar Fawaz
•While there aren't any supplemental unemployment programs currently active in Florida, you might qualify for other assistance: 1. SNAP benefits (food stamps) - apply through ACCESS Florida 2. Temporary Cash Assistance if you have dependent children 3. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for help with utility bills 4. Your county might have emergency rental assistance programs Also, make sure you're meeting your work search requirements (5 documented work searches per week) so you don't lose your current benefits. CareerSource Florida centers can help with job placement services too.
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