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Florida Unemployment Benefits Extension – 20 More Weeks

Update – Feb 7, 2011 – Legislation to add extra weeks for 99ers

Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee (Calif.) and Bobby Scott (Va.) are reintroducing legislation this week to provide additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits for “99ers,”

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In 2009, the 2009 stimulus package was created by President Obama and provided extra funding for states to extend the length of unemployment benefits if necessary.  Most states have a fixed number of weeks available for benefits but can increase the number of weeks if necessary.  The Florida unemployment rate in April was 9.6%.

The state of Florida recently approved an extension of the unemployment benefits by 20 weeks as a result of Senate Bill 810 sponsored by Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Miami and Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola.  This applies to unemployed persons who have already used up the previous maximum of 59 weeks of unemployment benefits.  The legislation allowing this EB extension was signed by Governor Charlie Crist and will provide more benefits for up to 250,000 unemployed Floridians.  The payments will be up to $300 per week.

The money to pay for these extended benefits will come from the stimulus package of 2009 – about $415 million in total.

The agency responsible for these benefits is called the Agency for Workforce Innovation – they expect to start sending out the extended benefit checks in July.  According to a spokesman from the agency Robby Cunningham – some people might be able to collect benefits retroactive to February of 2009.

“It’s actually retroactive to February 22nd of this year so some qualifying receiptence could receive initial payments up to 5,100 dollars.”

Please note that any retroactive payments will be from February 22, 2009 or when your last claim ran out – whichever is later.

How to apply for extended benefits

If you qualify for the extended 20 weeks then you still have to apply – go to www.floridajobs.com and click on the big red “Extended Benefits” square near the top of the right side of the screen.  The actual link which will open up the application form is here.  You can also fill in and mail the EB application to the address indicated on the EB notice/application you will be receiving in the mail.

How do I know if I’m eligible?

Here are a few guidelines you can use to determine eligibility:

  • You are totally or partially unemployed.
  • You exhaust all entitlement to regular and emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) benefits prior to February 22, 2009 but your benefit year ends after February 22, 2009.
  • You exhaust all entitlement to regular and emergency unemployment compensation benefits after February 22, 2009.
  • You are not eligible for unemployment compensation benefits in any state (including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, The District of Columbia) or Canada.
  • You satisfy all requirements of the Florida UC Law that apply to regular UC and EB, such as being able and available for work, and have not been disqualified from receiving benefits based on your reason for separation.
  • You actively seek work for each EB week claimed and provide the work search record as instructed.
  • You do not refuse an offer of suitable work or fail to apply for suitable work.

 

698 replies on “Florida Unemployment Benefits Extension – 20 More Weeks”

am sorry left this sentence out but no one cant live off of $84 a week i live in FL n the cost here is high.

Checking in. 9/14/12
Hi, everyone. Glad some old friends are still checking in.
The next generation joins the unemployed here. My son had to leave his job at the university when he graduated. He has now applied for unemployment here in California. Hopefully, he’ll find a good job soon. Meanwhile, it’s really good to have him home!

08 oct 12
is anyone here having any luck finding work?!! Nothing around where I live.Will Obama try to get unemployment benefits extended-into 2013? I doubt it but what do you think?

Thanks, Walt.
My son has hit a snag. The university where he worked claimed he was on a work-study program and not qualified for benefits. This isn’t true because although he worked for the university, he was not on work-study, just a regular employee. Now he has to hassle with that. He’s now been initiated into the world of bureaucracy!

I don’t see a change in the job situation here in northern California. My son graduated college a year ago along with 5 close friends. Three have found jobs: one with Amazon, one at his university, and one with the State. That’s 50% for college grads.

Walt, as for your POTUS question, I think we all know where we’ll end up if Mr. “47% of Us Can Go Suck Eggs” Romney gets elected. I know how demoralized most of us are. We’re right where the rich corps want us. If we don’t find some energy to work for the dems, we’re out of even more luck.

Hope everyone finds something soon.

10.23.2012
It seems to me that Obama has a good chance of reelection? He faired out pretty good in the last debate. Question now is: will he extend unemployment Benefits up into 2013? I don’t see how he wouldn’t! what do you think? Boy oh boy where are the Jobs!

07 n0v 12
As you all know by now,Obama got reelected. Do you think he will extend unemployment benefits into 2013?? I sure hope so. Can’t find work around here anywhere! Hope you are all doing okay ,considering…….

walt1948- I think there’s a good chance of extending the current benefits past Dec 31, but I haven’t heard anything hopeful about adding to the 99 weeks. Are you still on the 99, or whatever the amount is in FLA? I’ve heard California is losing one of the extensions.

I spoke to unemployment the other day, no there are NO extensions past Dec 29, so if ur one tier one, or two, you are SUNK, just like myself. No jobs to speak of here either 🙁

09 Nov 12
Issa and Trudy
I am in Illinois. I chose Fl site here because it was providing more info(Sherri advised this site vs Illinois site). I am on tier 3 of EUC last I checked. My payments are “extended out” because I am under a Social Security Offset status” . Otherwise my balance would have been depleted by now. I am sure I am done with Unemployment benefits by 29 Dec 12.
Can’t find work; will just have to rebudget and eat Ramon Noodles more!
However, I am thankful for what I was able to receive. Wishing you all the best.

Hi Walt, as with you, I was very gratful for the unemployment I was able to recieve. Good luck to you in the future, I hope all works out for everyone.

27 Nov 12
7:04 pm CST

Hi Issa, Trudy,
We had a very lovely Thanksgiving. Went to My Stepdaughter Sheila’s Home(about 1 mile away) and had a huge dinner. I ate too much!
I haven’t spoken to Sherrie in a long time. I would like to hear from her. She usually emails me. I don’t have Verizon cell phone anymore. Sherrie used to Text me now and then. I hope she is doing okay.
A coal mine here Shut down Yesterday. It is a Peabody owned mine (Willow Lake mine) and is where my stepdauther’s husband had worked.
about 400 plus miners out of work now! I wish them well.
well take care ,ladies. let me know how things are for you. cheers,walt….

Hey Walt,
so happy to see your doing well. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well, although alittle late lol
As for myself, unemployment tiers have ended, I am blessed enough to be able to find a job I am sure I have 99.99%. Just in the nick of time, I might add. There is still no work really in Florida, and when the seasonal goes astray, god help everyone.
Christmas will be very bleak, to say the least……but it isnt supposed to b material anyways. 🙂
Am sorry to hear of the loss of more jobs there, its such a humbling experience.
I haven’t heard from Sherri either, I hope she is well and doing great.
Keep in touch with us all, its great to hear from you
Happy Holidays!!!!!!!

29 n0v 12
Trudy,
I am happy to hear you found work. I am keeping my eyes out for a Security Guard job near here. I heard the guy is going to quit and go elsewhere. He has my number and will call me in advance. Maybe I can jump in there and get hired?! My wife gets on her SS next year. we will then kick back and enjoy.Things are tough for now but we are making it. There are many worse off than us. Poor souls! take care…

Hey Walt, I said 99.99% certain lol, there is always that 1 % chance that I dont get it, which seems to be the case each and every time lol, if I fail, its pill time for this woman. Seriously, things need to pick up the pace……the nation is in such a mess. Good luck my friend

12.11.12
7:00 pm cst
ANY guy getting married Tomorrow had better remember his aniversary in the years to come (12.12.12 should be easy to remember! lol!

I have been watching the “Fiscal Cliff” news. Am really wondering what will become of it! Scary either way…. what do you think-anybody care to comment? Wonder how it will affect unemployment extentions. I am about to loose my benefits; hoping for the best for you all.

Hey Walt,
looks like we are the only 2 who still visit once in a while. Yes my benefits end on December 29, I dont know what I am going to do……..my adult kids and I all live in the house, but it makes a very stressful situation. My daughter says if she has to pay, she is leaving, so that leaves me out!
Bottle of pills, who knows……..government will crush us all.
Keep in touch as we fall

13 dec 12
12:55pm cst
Trudy,
Yes it does look like we are the only ones to get on here.
I am beginning to believe there will be an extention of Benefits into 2013. I believe it will have to be “reluctantly” a part of the Package that they will have to include whether they want to or not.(just a gut feeling). Of course that won’t include me i don’t think but can hope so. I have a Balance of about $700-$800 if it does include me. Would be nice.
Hang in there,Trudy and everyone elso. Something good just might happen after all. Stranger things have happened.

Hi Walt,

I do not get on anymore but i follow along when people are on here. I have been employed all this year so i was fortunate to gain employment. Maybe most of the people that have left have done the same thing, or maybe they have moved on with other things. Many people have suffered this year, i hope 2013 is better for many folks on this forum. We shall see. Even though i gained employment, other bad things happened to me. Unfortunately that is life…… I hope for a better 2013 but we shall see.. the last 3 years have not been kind to me but i have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food in my stomach. not much more you can ask for..Hope things get better for you……….

19 dec 2012
Hi Larry,
My wife and I will make it okay. But I am concerned for the millions that may loose their unemployment. Sure hope an extention comes through for them. Things could be better for me but it could be WORSE! So I am thankful for what we have here. Best wishes to you,Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,Larry..

Merriest of Christmas’s to everyone who still visits here. Last week was stressful, but least I have a foot in a door. Snags, went to be finger printed and my social has ink on it , so had to run and apply for another, names different on lic and social, so had to correct that as well……….now waiting on FBI check, which will prove to go well, and a job I will hopefully have within the next few, short, or long weeks.
Walt, dont disappear, let me know how your doing from time to time, Larry, yes most have moved on now, but nice to see you here 🙂 Things might look better after the new year, if not……………we all fall together. lol

Hope next year looks better for us all ,jobs included. Hope you guys have a safe Holiday and hope things look up for you all after next year. Companies don’t tend to hire very much this time of year. Seasonal work that is about it. First of the year is when their budgets and books get balanced and they see what they need and want they want. Knock on wood, i have employment for now, that could change. Lost work twice in 2011 so i know how it feels. I have always saved well and will continue to. That is just life in today’s world. Take care you all.

1/1/2012
Happy New Year, everyone!
Thank God the extensions went through. What a relief! I don’t think some in Congress have any idea the emotional stress their uncertainty causes people.
🙂

1/1/2013

ISSA: it is 2013- NOW! lol
and I know i am going to be putting 2012 down for a while too until I get it right!
I am glad for the extentions. But will it help anyone that has been unemployed over 2-3 years? I am still drawing it but a very small amount each week because I am on SS . I am happy for the ones to be able to draw. That is a relief to them. The congressional process sure was a show! Had a lot of people worried. Unemployment,taxes etc.

Happy New Year everyone, hopefully I have a much needed job! I have waited since Thanksgiving Day for this one, hope keep your fingers and toes crossed it pulls thru. Have had the background check from the company, background check from Customs, finger printing, and badgeing done, now all I am waiting on is FBI check!
Things are looking half way decent, my spirits were about as low s you could get em, but am building it back up little by little everyday!
Keep in touch everyone, and happy job hunting!

Hope you all get a job this year. Good luck Trudy on that job. Hope you get it. Hope i keep my job this year in 2013. Never know what is around the corner.

08 jan13
0832 am cst

Hi Larry and Trudy
I am continuing on under the extention. Sure glad to get it!
Trudy, did you get hired after the investigation etc? I hope so.
Larry , good to see you are still working.
I hope that a job comes by that is close . Nothing around here. Bad!
Take care you guys. keep in touch okay.

Hey Jan
Haven’t heard from the results of the job yet, still waiting. The waiting game is always the hardest. I did go to what they call Employment re connect, just in case. Its thru work force here in orlando, training for 3 months at 12 an hour……..so at least this year my bases are covered!
Good luck everyone.

mportant Information on the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program, and Duration of Benefits law changes effective January 1, 2013

On January 2, 2013, federal legislation was signed into law extending for one year the eligibility dates for Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC).

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) – The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extends the payment of EUC benefits to the week ending December 28, 2013.

Tier I: Unemployed workers currently receiving benefits from their regular state claims have until week ending December 14, 2013 to exhaust their state benefits and establish eligibility for EUC Tier I, which provides additional benefits of 54 percent of their state claims. Individuals will automatically be enrolled in the EUC program upon their exhaustion of their regular state benefits.

Tiers II or III: Unemployed workers currently receiving benefits on EUC Tiers I or II, can now qualify for the next level of benefits if their current tier is exhausted by the week ending December 21, 2013. EUC Tier II provides 54 percent of an individual’s state claim and Tier III provides 35 percent of the state claim additional benefits.

Those who will exhaust EUC Tiers I or II by the week ending December 21, 2013 will be automatically enrolled in the next level of benefits and can continue certifying for the additional benefits during their regular claim reporting cycle.

The Department of Economic Opportunity encourages individuals to check their claims online to determine if they have weeks available to claim.

Duration of Benefits for all new claims filed in 2013 – For all claims filed on or after January 1, 2013, the duration of benefits adjusts from the current maximum of 23 to 19 weeks. This is based upon the seasonally adjustment average total unemployment rate in Florida for the three months ending September 30 of the prior year as required by section 443.111(5), Florida Statutes.

The maximum weekly benefit amount will remain at $275.

20 Jan 13
0612pm CST
hi Mark! How are things going for you? I havent seen you on here lately. Hope everything is okay

Happy Spring is right, I do hope to find all of you in good spirits! I have been working now for a month, great job……..good pay, hope the budget cuts dont effect any of us, as its a security job
Keep me posted on whats happening with you all!

March 21, 2013

Just wanted to say hello to everyone…hope all is good

Remember to keep smiling 🙂

Hello to you Mark as well…………..

i hope everyone is working or at least part time. i have been at my job for a year. Knock on wood, still have it……….Always putting money away. never know in this economy when you will need it.

Hey everyone, yes I as well have been EMPLOYED again for the past few months. Give glory to God, going on my 90 th day, the work load is fair, not good pay for what I do however. You’d think homeland security was not a min wage job, but in Florida, nothing surprises me lol.
So glad to hear many have found work, and are still keeping in touch on here.
God bless everyone of you!
Trudy

Hi,
I’m glad to see this site is still here, I have not needed it since 2009, but I am back.
There was a misunderstanding when my claim was filed, I was fired for missing work do to being arrested, So far my company has not appealed it but when I claimed weeks it thought I was incarcerated so denied me those 2 weeks , I have an appeal Feb 10, HOW DO I PROVE I WAS NOT INCARCERATED TO UNEMPLOYMENT??? HELP

PS….I cannot get thru to my states office, FL , Always disconnects me due to them being highly busy.

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