Hurricane impact on Florida unemployment benefits - extensions available after exhaustion?

There are Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits specifically for hurricane victims who've exhausted regular unemployment or didn't qualify. You need to file a separate DUA application through CONNECT, but do it ASAP - there's a 30-day deadline after the disaster declaration. Make sure to select 'disaster-related' when asked about your unemployment reason. If you're in one of the officially declared disaster counties, you should qualify since your workplace is still closed due to hurricane damage.

samr thing happened to me after irma!!!! DEO is THE WORST they make everything so complicated. i had to call like 50 times to get someone who knew what they were talking about

You definitely qualify for DUA since your workplace is still closed due to the hurricane. Here's what you need to do: 1. Log into CONNECT 2. Go to "Apply for Benefits" section 3. Select "Apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance" 4. You'll need to provide proof your workplace was damaged (photos, news articles, letter from employer) 5. The work search waiver should apply to DUA too, but you'll want to check your specific county on floridajobs.org/disaster DUA benefits can last up to 26 weeks after the disaster declaration, so that should help bridge the gap until your employer reopens. The payment amounts are usually similar to what you were receiving on regular unemployment.

DONT WASTE YOUR TIME with the regular DEO phone line. You'll never get through. I was in the same situation after my benefits exhausted following the hurricane. I found this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual DEO agent in about 20 minutes instead of spending days calling. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj The agent I spoke with walked me through the whole DUA application process and made sure I had the right documentation. Totally worth it when you're dealing with something this important and time-sensitive.

just wondering but did u check if ur employer filed for the standby unemployment option? my boss in naples did this after the hurricane for all of us - meaning we don't have to do work search while repairs happen. might be worth asking ur boss

The hurricane work search waiver is actually automatic if you live in one of the FEMA-designated counties. The DEO has a special disaster page with all the current waivers and extensions: https://floridajobs.org/disaster-recovery. Based on what you described, you should qualify for DUA, but here's something important to know: if you're approved, the payments aren't automatic like regular unemployment. You still need to login and claim your weeks every two weeks, even with the work search waiver. I missed a payment period because I didn't realize this and had to appeal to get it reinstated.

anyone know how long DUA lasts? my brother got it after the hurricane but he said something about it ending soon?

UPDATE: I just wanted to thank everyone for their help! I used Claimyr this morning and actually got through to a DEO agent who was incredibly helpful. She confirmed I'm eligible for DUA since my workplace is still closed due to hurricane damage. I've submitted my application with photos of the damage and a letter from my employer confirming the closure until March. The agent said the work search requirements are definitely waived in my county through the disaster period. Such a relief! The waiting week is also waived for disaster claims. For anyone else in a similar situation, definitely apply for DUA if you're in a declared disaster area!