How many hours can I work with DEO partial unemployment? Confused about weekly limits

Florida doesn't have a strict hours limit - it's based on your weekly earnings compared to your weekly benefit amount (WBA). If you earn less than your WBA, you'll likely qualify for partial benefits. The system calculates this automatically in CONNECT when you claim your weeks. The $600 extra payment you mentioned was part of the pandemic programs (FPUC) which ended years ago. That doesn't exist anymore in 2025. When claiming weeks, just report your exact hours and earnings honestly. The system will determine if you qualify for partial benefits. Make sure you're completing your 5 work search activities each week too, even with partial unemployment!

I had this same question when my restaurant cut my hours!!! The 20 hour thing is NOT TRUE at least not in Florida. I worked 26 hours one week and still got partial unemployment but then worked 24 hours another week and didn't get anything. Super confusing!!

In Florida, it's not about hours worked but rather about earnings. Here's how it works: 1. You can earn up to 8x Florida's minimum wage ($8.65 x 8 = $69.20) without any reduction in benefits 2. After that, your weekly benefit amount is reduced dollar-for-dollar for any earnings above that threshold 3. Once your earnings exceed your weekly benefit amount plus the $69.20 disregarded amount, you won't receive benefits for that week So if your WBA is $271, you can earn up to $340.20 ($271 + $69.20) before losing all benefits for that week. The key is to report ALL earnings for work performed during your claim weeks, even if you haven't been paid yet. The system will calculate everything for you.

My cousin works at Publix and she told me you can work up to 32 hours and still get something but I think it depends on how much you make per hour too!?? The whole system is so confusing lol

EVERYONE LISTEN UP - the DEO system is DESIGNED to be confusing!!! They WANT you to make mistakes so they can hit you with overpayment notices later!!! I worked part-time during my claim last year and now they're saying I owe $4,200 back because I "underreported" hours. I reported EXACTLY what I worked each week!!! The system is RIGGED against workers!!!

When I was on partial unemployment I just made sure to answer all the questions honestly when claiming weeks. I put in exactly how many hours I worked and how much I earned before taxes. Some weeks I got a small benefit payment and some weeks I didn't get anything because I worked too much that week. The most frustrating part was when I had questions or problems I could NEVER get through to DEO on the phone. Just constant busy signals and disconnects. I ended up using this service called Claimyr that got me through to a real person at DEO in about 20 minutes. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj It helped me get answers about my specific situation which was better than trying to figure out all the rules myself.

btw make SURE you do your work searches even if you're still technically employed but on reduced hours!!! my friend got denied because she wasn't doing them since she thought she didn't have to with a part time job

Just to clarify for everyone - Florida requires 5 work search activities per week, even for partial unemployment. The only way you're exempt is if your employer has given you a specific return date within 8 weeks or you're in an approved training program. And remember that Florida calculates benefits on a weekly basis, so some weeks you might get partial benefits and other weeks you might not qualify if you earn too much. Just be consistent with claiming weeks and accurate with your reporting.

Just to add some clarification since there's been some confusion in this thread: 1. Florida's current minimum wage in 2025 is actually $12.50/hr, not $8.65 (that was the old rate). So the earnings disregard is now $100 (8 × $12.50). 2. With a WBA of $271, you can earn up to $371 ($271 + $100) before losing all benefits for that week. 3. Your benefits reduce dollar-for-dollar for earnings above the $100 disregard. Example: If you earn $200 in a week with a $271 WBA: - First $100 is disregarded - Next $100 reduces your benefit by $100 - You would receive $171 in benefits that week ($271 - $100) Hope this helps clarify things!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this situation. I was in a similar boat last year when my retail job cut my hours from 35 to about 18 per week. The key thing I learned is that Florida really does base it on earnings, not hours. I had some weeks where I worked fewer hours but made more money (like when I got scheduled for holiday pay), and those weeks I got less or no unemployment benefits. Other weeks I worked more hours but at regular pay and still qualified for partial benefits. My advice: keep really good records of your hours and earnings for each week. I used a simple notebook to track everything, which helped a lot when I had questions about my claim later. And definitely don't try to game the system - just report honestly and let CONNECT do the calculations. The formula Val explained is exactly right based on my experience. Also, stay on top of your work search requirements! I made the mistake of thinking I didn't need to do as many since I was still employed, but you need all 5 activities every week regardless.

I've been through this exact situation and wanted to share what worked for me. I was a warehouse worker too and got my hours cut from 40 to about 22-28 per week last year. The most important thing I learned is to keep detailed records of EVERYTHING - hours worked each day, gross pay (including any shift differentials or overtime), and exactly which days you worked. I used a simple notebook at first but switched to taking photos of my work schedule each week. Here's what really helped me avoid problems: - Always report earnings for the week you performed the work, not when you got paid - Include ALL income - base pay, overtime, shift premiums, even small bonuses - Don't forget about any side gigs or cash work (like helping friends move, etc.) - Keep doing your 5 work searches every single week without fail The system actually worked pretty smoothly for me once I got into the routine. Some weeks I'd get partial benefits, other weeks nothing if I picked up extra shifts. The key is just being completely honest and accurate with your reporting. One last tip - if you ever have issues with CONNECT or need to speak to someone at DEO, don't waste days trying to call. There are callback services that actually work. Just my experience but it saved me a lot of frustration! Good luck with your claim!