Has DEO lifted the work search requirement for Florida unemployment in 2025?

Your friend is 100% wrong. The work search requirements are definitely still in place and being enforced. Florida DEO requires 5 work search activities per week, and they DO check these. The temporary waiver ended years ago after the pandemic. I just completed my benefit year in January, and I had to submit all my work searches every two weeks when claiming weeks. Don't risk your benefits by skipping this - they can and will deny payment if you don't meet the requirements.

my cousin just got his benefits denied cuz he didnt do the work searches so yeah they DO check lol

To be very clear about the current work search requirements in Florida: 1. You must complete 5 work search activities for each week you claim benefits 2. Online job applications definitely count 3. You should keep detailed records of ALL work searches including: - Date of contact - Method of contact (online, in person, etc) - Company name, address, phone number - Position applied for - Result of the application The DEO can request proof of your work searches up to one year after you apply, so keep good records. You can also use career services at CareerSource centers as part of your work search activities - that counts too and they provide documentation. The only way to get a work search waiver now is if you're on approved training, have a union hiring hall agreement, or are on temporary layoff with a return date within 8 weeks of separation.

There's no specific required form, but you can download a work search log from the DEO website that has all the fields they want to see. I personally created a spreadsheet that I update daily - much easier than trying to remember everything when it's time to claim weeks. One more thing - visiting a CareerSource office in person counts as a work search activity, and they'll give you documentation of your visit. That's an easy one to add to your list if you're struggling to find 5 jobs to apply for every week.

I spent THREE HOURS last week trying to call DEO to ask this EXACT question because the website is so confusing!!!!! The automated system kept saying 'due to high call volume' and disconnecting me. I couldn't get through to ANYONE and almost missed my claiming deadline because I wasn't sure about the work search rules!!! DEO is THE WORST at communicating policy changes!!! Why can't they send an email or something when requirements change??!! So frustrating!!!

My friend works at the DEO call center (I know, lucky me when I have questions lol) and she says they're actually increasing work search enforcement this year. They've got some new system that flags suspicious patterns in work search entries and triggers automatic reviews. So definitely don't make up fake searches!

Thank you everyone for the information! I'm definitely going to do all 5 work searches each week and keep detailed records. Better safe than sorry!

one more thing nobody mentioned - if ur employer gave u a return to work date thats less than 8 weeks from when u got laid off u can get the work search waived. u have to call n ask for it tho they dont do it automatic