Florida DEO extension application process - different link or same procedure?
I'm reaching the end of my regular unemployment benefits from DEO (about 2 weeks left) and need to know if there's a special way to apply for an extension. Is there a specific link somewhere in CONNECT for extensions, or do I just go through the regular application process again like I'm starting from scratch? I've tried clicking around the system but it's so confusing and I'm afraid of doing it wrong and delaying any potential extension. My claim dashboard doesn't show anything about extensions at all.
16 comments
Join the conversation
Dmitry Popov
Florida doesn't currently have any automatic extensions available beyond the regular 12 weeks of state Reemployment Assistance. The federal extensions ended back in 2021. If you've been getting regular state benefits and those are ending, there's unfortunately no extension program to apply for right now unless there's some new emergency program I haven't heard about (which is possible but unlikely).
0 coins
Sofia Morales
•Wait, what? So after my 12 weeks are done, that's just... it? I thought all states had some kind of extension program. This is really bad news for me.
0 coins
Ava Garcia
THIS IS WHY THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! They give you the bare minimum weeks (Florida has one of the LOWEST benefit periods in the entire country) and then just cut you off!!! No extensions, no help, NOTHING. I went through this last year and it was a NIGHTMARE trying to make ends meet. The DEO doesn't care at all about people actually struggling!!
0 coins
StarSailor}
•I'm in the same boat and freaking out. My benefits end next month and I still haven't found work despite applying to literally everything. What are we supposed to do after the 12 weeks if we still haven't found jobs?? Is there ANY other program we can apply for?
0 coins
Miguel Silva
To directly answer your question - there is no separate "extension application" link in CONNECT because Florida doesn't currently offer benefit extensions beyond the standard 12 weeks of regular state benefits. If your situation changes (like you had a different job after your current claim), you would need to file a new claim after your benefit year ends, but that would be a completely new claim, not an extension. If you're still looking for work after your benefits end, I would recommend connecting with your local CareerSource office. They can sometimes help with job placement and other assistance programs you might qualify for.
0 coins
Zainab Ismail
•carrersource is useless tho, went there twice and they just gave me the same job listings i already applied for online
0 coins
Connor O'Neill
wait does this mean we only get 12 weeks total in florida? i thought it was 12 weeks per year or something. ive only used like 8 weeks so far
0 coins
Dmitry Popov
•It's a maximum of 12 weeks per benefit year in Florida (one of the lowest in the country). Your benefit year is the 12-month period that starts when you first file your claim. If you've only used 8 weeks so far, you should still have 4 weeks of benefits left that you can claim before you reach the maximum, as long as you're still within your benefit year and continue to meet all eligibility requirements.
0 coins
Yara Nassar
I went through this same thing last month! So disappointing to find out there's no extensions anymore. I ended up having to take a job that pays way less than my previous one just to have something coming in. The CareerSource office in Tampa actually did help me with my resume though, so that might be worth checking out while you're still looking.
0 coins
Sofia Morales
•Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm going to check out CareerSource this week - at this point I need all the help I can get. Sorry you had to take a lower-paying job, that's probably where I'm headed too unfortunately.
0 coins
Miguel Silva
If you're struggling and approaching the end of your benefits, you might want to call DEO directly to confirm there aren't any programs you might qualify for. I've found that using Claimyr (claimyr.com) is the only reliable way to actually reach a live person at DEO without spending hours on hold. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj I used it when I had questions about my claim that weren't answered on the website, and it saved me so much frustration. The agent I spoke with was able to explain exactly what my options were.
0 coins
Sofia Morales
•I've never heard of this service before but I'm definitely going to try it. The few times I've called DEO directly I either got disconnected or was on hold for so long I had to hang up. Thanks for the tip!
0 coins
StarSailor}
I'm wondering if reemployment assistance extensions might become available if Florida's unemployment rate goes up? I think I read somewhere that the number of weeks depends on the state unemployment rate.
0 coins
Dmitry Popov
•You're partially right. Florida's maximum benefit duration is tied to the state unemployment rate. When the unemployment rate is 5% or lower (which it currently is), the maximum is 12 weeks. If the rate goes up, the maximum weeks can increase up to 23 weeks when unemployment exceeds 10.5%. But this isn't an "extension" - it just means new claimants would be eligible for more initial weeks. It doesn't help people who've already exhausted their benefits under the current calculation.
0 coins
Zainab Ismail
why dont u just open a new claim when ur benefits run out? thats what my cousin did
0 coins
Miguel Silva
•Opening a new claim when your benefits run out generally doesn't work unless you've had new employment since your original claim began. The system requires you to have earned qualifying wages in your base period, which would need to include new wages since your last claim. If someone files a new claim without new employment, it will almost certainly be denied for insufficient qualifying wages, and could potentially trigger an investigation for attempted fraud if the system detects you're trying to claim benefits you're not eligible for.
0 coins