Is Florida DEO cutting off regular unemployment benefits in September 2025 for long-term claimants?

There's a lot of confusion about this. Regular state unemployment (RA benefits) in Florida has always had a maximum of 12 weeks (sometimes up to 19 weeks depending on the state unemployment rate). The September date you're hearing about was probably referring to the federal programs that ended nationwide on 9/6/2021, not something happening in 2025. If you started receiving regular unemployment in January 2025, you would typically have benefits for up to 12 weeks, which would end around April 2025 (give or take depending on your exact start date). Florida ties its benefit duration to the unemployment rate - the lower the unemployment rate, the fewer weeks you get. You should be able to see your maximum benefit amount and weeks remaining when you log into your CONNECT account. This will tell you exactly when your benefits are scheduled to end.

theres no special cutoff date for long term people, its just the regular rules. when ur weeks run out they run out. i got benefits last yr for exactly 12 wks then it just stopped. florida has like the shortest benefits in the whole country btw its ridiculous

I heard the same thing and panicked!! Called DEO for 3 days straight and finally got through yesterday. The rep told me there's NO special September cutoff for long-term claimants. She said everyone just gets their regular 12 weeks (or whatever number based on FL unemployment rate) and that's it. So don't worry about September specifically - just check your CONNECT account for your personal end date.

THEY DONT CARE ABOUT US!!!! the whole system is designed to pay as little as possible for as short as possible!! i used up all my weeks and had to move back with my parents at 42 years old. don't expect any extensions or special consideration - florida hates the unemployed! even if tourism isn't back all the way they expect us to just take ANY job even if it pays 1/3 what we made before!!! 😡😡😡

I want to add some clarification about how Florida's unemployment duration works since there's confusion about this: 1. Regular state benefits (RA) in Florida range from 12-19 weeks depending on the state unemployment rate 2. Currently with our unemployment rate, we get 12 weeks 3. Each person's maximum benefit period is calculated based on when they FIRST applied 4. There is NO mass cutoff date in September 2025 for everyone 5. You can see your personal end date in CONNECT under "Claim and Payment Status" 6. Once your weeks run out, that's it - currently there are no federal extensions Hope this helps clear things up! The only people who would end in September would be those who started claims in June (12 weeks later).

Does anyone know if they're processing work search waivers anymore? My industry (event planning) still hasn't fully recovered and I'm wondering if there's any chance of getting extended benefits or a waiver from the 5 work search requirements?

I've been through the Florida unemployment system multiple times over my career, and here's what I can tell you with certainty: 1. Florida's system is designed to be one of the most restrictive in the nation 2. Regular state benefits max out at 12-19 weeks (currently 12 weeks) 3. The federal extensions that were available during COVID have ALL expired 4. There is no special September 2025 cutoff - your benefits end when your weeks run out 5. Once your weeks are exhausted, you cannot file a new claim unless you've earned sufficient wages in a new base period My advice? Start applying for ANYTHING you can get, even outside your field or below your previous pay. Florida's system is designed to force people to take whatever job they can get as quickly as possible. It's not fair, but it's the reality of our state's approach to unemployment.

I went through something similar last year and want to share some resources that helped me. For hospitality/tourism jobs, try checking the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association job board (FRLA.org) - they often have openings that aren't posted on the main job sites. Also, many of the theme parks and cruise lines are still hiring but the pay might be lower than what you're used to. One thing that really helped me was signing up for temp agencies like Adecco and Kelly Services - they often have short-term hospitality gigs that can at least provide some income while you're looking for something permanent. Some of these temp jobs even turn into permanent positions if you do well. Also, don't forget about applying for SNAP benefits if you qualify - it can help stretch your budget while you're job hunting. The application is online and much easier than dealing with DEO! Good luck with your search, and remember that taking a lower-paying job now doesn't mean you have to stay there forever.

I actually ended up switching industries after going through the same thing! I was in hotel management for 8 years but had to take a customer service job at a credit union when my benefits ran out. It was scary at first because the pay was about 30% less, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The hours are much better (no more weekends/holidays), and I've actually gotten two promotions in the past year. My advice would be to stay open to different industries, especially ones that value customer service skills from hospitality. Banks, insurance companies, healthcare offices, and even some tech companies really appreciate people who know how to deal with difficult customers and work under pressure. The skills from hotel work translate better than you might think! For the SNAP application - definitely do it now rather than waiting. It took about 2 weeks to get approved when I applied, and having that food assistance took so much stress off while I was job hunting. There's no shame in using the safety net programs when you need them - that's exactly what they're there for. Also, if you have any hotel connections, don't be afraid to reach out. A lot of places are starting to hire again but they're being really picky, so having an internal referral can make a huge difference. Good luck!

I just want to echo what others have said about checking your CONNECT account for your actual end date rather than worrying about September rumors. I went through this exact same panic last month when I heard similar misinformation floating around social media groups. The reality is Florida's system is pretty straightforward - you get your 12 weeks (or up to 19 if unemployment rate is higher) and that's it. No special cutoff dates, no mass terminations. Just individual claim periods based on when you started. For what it's worth, I was also in hospitality (restaurant management) and had to pivot when my benefits ran out. The adjustment period was tough, but I found that emphasizing skills like crisis management, multitasking, and customer relations really helped me land interviews in unexpected places. Don't limit yourself to just hotel positions - your experience dealing with stressed guests and managing multiple priorities simultaneously is valuable in lots of industries. Also, start that job search intensively now while you still have those 3 weeks of benefits as a buffer. It takes the pressure off and gives you more negotiating power than waiting until you're completely out of income.