PUA expired in December - can I apply for regular DEO benefits now?

PUA is long gone. Regular Florida unemployment (they call it Reemployment Assistance) requires you to have worked for an employer who paid into the unemployment system. If you were only self-employed/gig work, you probably won't qualify unless you had some W-2 work in your base period. You need to have earned at least $3,600 across multiple quarters in your base period from actual employers.

Unfortunately, PUA was specifically designed for gig workers and self-employed people who wouldn't normally qualify for regular unemployment. Now that it's expired, the system has gone back to the old rules. You need to have earned enough W-2 wages in your "base period" (usually the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply). If you had that restaurant job, it MIGHT qualify you for a small benefit amount, but only if you earned enough. The DEO system will calculate this automatically when you apply. It's worth trying to apply for a new regular claim - worst they can say is no.

use ur same connect login info!! dont make a new 1. my cousin just went thru this mess and he got so confused cuz the system is TRASH. but yeah u can apply for regular benefits if u had ANY w2 work. just be honest about ur work history they'll determine if u qualify.

I was in a similar situation after my PUA expired. I had about 4 months of part-time W-2 work mixed in with my gig work. When I applied for regular benefits, I was approved but for a much lower weekly amount than PUA gave me (only about $125/week instead of the $275 I was getting before). You should definitely try applying though. Use your existing CONNECT account and select "File a New Claim" from the main menu after you log in. Be prepared for the system to be glitchy - I had to try logging in multiple times before it would let me complete the application.

The DEO website is absolutely useless when trying to file a new claim after PUA. I spent HOURS trying to get through on their phone line after my application got stuck in pending for weeks. Finally I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual DEO agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting on hold forever. The agent was able to look at my file and tell me exactly why my claim was stuck and what documents I needed to submit. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj It was the only way I could get actual help with my post-PUA application.

i was on PUA too and tried to get regular benefits in january but got denied. the lady told me over the phone that I didn't have enough wages in my "base period" whatever that means?? something about quarters and how much you made. so confusing! but if you had that restaurant job recently maybe you'll have better luck than me!! 🤞

One more thing to consider - even if you don't qualify for regular unemployment because of insufficient W-2 wages, you might qualify for other assistance programs: 1. SNAP benefits (food stamps) 2. Medicaid (if your income is low enough) 3. TANF (temporary cash assistance) Also check with your local CareerSource office. They can sometimes help with job placement and training opportunities even if you don't qualify for unemployment.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DENY YOU!!! don't expect any help from DEO. They terminated my PUA early claiming I didn't provide proper documentation when I DID and now I can't even get through to anyone. They owe me 3 weeks of payments I'll never see. Florida has THE WORST unemployment system in the entire country BY DESIGN.

Regarding work search requirements - if you do qualify for regular benefits, be prepared that Florida now requires 5 work search contacts per week (it was waived during much of the pandemic). You need to keep detailed records of where you applied, contact information, etc. The DEO can audit your work searches at any time. Also, you must use the Employ Florida website (employflorida.com) to register and create a profile within 7 days of filing your new claim. A lot of people miss this step and end up having their benefits held up.