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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”

My understanding is that if you start a tier before the expire date of extended benefits,you will be allowed to finish out the tier but would not be eligible for any further tiers. It looks like you are eligible for 20 weeks@$275 which equates to $5500.

Vince, Hi! Prez Obama presented a Job’s Bill that included Unemployment Extensions for us, the problem is that I do not believe that Congress, (meaning Boehner and Mitch McConnell) will approve it, in fact, I do not think they will approve most of the Job’s Bill, It is all politics, Presidential Elections are coming up in about 14 months and this is one of the reasons they probably do not want to work with the Prez, anyway, they might be doing it for politics, but they are indeed hurting all of us in the worst of ways, if this continues we will end up bums asking for change in the streets. And Mark, again, thanks a bunch for your prompt reply, I think this might also answer Payret’s question, if you are on any of the tiers when the deadline comes, you will only be able to finish the Tier you are actually on, even if you have monies left, that’s it. finito. Let’s see if they say anything on the shows that are about to start now from 6:00 on. Will keep posting .

God bless u all, 9/19/2011

9/24/2011
I signed the Petition and published it both in Twitter and Facebook so that others can sign too. It doesn’t hurt. Any effort we make is one step closer to achieving our goals..so I hope!!!

They do need a lot of signatures yet so please pass the word!

Thanks CatD!!!

Me too. I have been checking all the important political news shows daily on MSNBC, CNN, and the C-Span channel, I don’t know about Fox News as i never watch it, I have enough with the other three, but
nothing so far regarding the extensions as The House so far is not cooperating with the President’s bill, I don’t know what is going to happen with that, as the Extensions that the President suggested are into that Bill.

Keep posting often, maybe at a moment’s notice we will have great news, !

God bless, Beatrice

10/4 No news at all. Congress is still repealing the bill where the Unemployment Extensions are included, so, here we are, hanging to sanity by a thin thread while the beasts at Congress have it all on silver plate. I am fuming mad.

Seems as though I would be entering in to my EB at the end of December.

Because this is not a tier, would my last weeks be those in December? Or is their talk to extend that for its full duration of the 20 weeks?!

This question may have been answered already, but I understand only a minimal amount of this terminology..

Hope everyone is doing well!

10/12 Hi to all ! Well, looks like the Unemployed Extensions on the Jobs Bill will never happen, for what I see happening at Congress with their repealing the Bill. And if they start reviewing each and every item on the bill to see what they like and they don’t, looks like the UE has not been mentioned at all. This is like a death sentence to all of us that have been without a job for the longest time, are ending their unemployment soon or have ended it long time ago and don’t know what in the world they are going to do, like in my case. So, I don’t know what else to say. I am totally
frustrated and feel doomed.

10.12.11 at 8:01 Pm C St
Beatrice–it’s pollitics as usual. now Obama wants to work on his bill to try to get at least some of it passed. The republicans don’t want any of it. But they try to act like they are . They just want to make sure Obama doesn’t get another 4 years. A lot of things have went “out the door”. Jobs going overseas,less than 40 hours per week for usa jobs so they don’t have to provide some benifits, etc. I am glad i am on SS now. Don’t have to play the field of job search much longer. Best wishes to all of you. You have a long row to hoe! I am curious who will be the republican chosen to run against Obama (should be a very interesting election)!!

Hello, Walt! so happy to hear you are already in SS !

Re: what you said about politics, I know what you mean, I do remember very well when Mitch McConnell said in one session in Congress, that their “only goal was to make Obama a one term president”, and they sure are following that to the dot, forgetting about the country and us, the true desperate ones waiting for some help from them, and all they are worrying about is making life impossible for the president in order to get rid of him, (or so they think because I think they won’t be able to). Anyway, will keep reporting on anything important that I may hear, as I am glued to the news most of the day, specially starting early in the morning on MSNBC and continuing in the early part of the afternoon until late at night to catch some news of hope for all of us. God Bless u all my friends, hang tight, this has to have a solution somehow, and hopefully soon.

10/13/11
Hi friends!!! Well, from reading all the recent posts, it seems that we are doomed and no extensions are expected. My last check will be in December and no jobs in the horizon. I was wondering if I take a part-time job before December, if that will automatically terminate the remainder of my employment or if I can still collect some since it would only be a part-time job rather than a full-time one. Let me know experts!!! I am so clueless as to how the system works. Thanks so much!!!

10/14/11

Hello all..Just wondering..Does anyone know if I’m on unemployment all year, will I get a tax return? (I do have the taxes taken out..) I also have 2 small children, am head of household, and am divorced.

Thank you…Hope everyone is doing well.

EVE,

You must pay taxes on your unemployment. You will get a w-2 or whatever they send.
If you had signed up for taxes to be taken out of your bi-weekly check, you still must file- but you will have already paid in. Either way – Yes you pay taxes on unemployment.

I forgot to claim my weeks..I was due to claim last Tuesday..I claimed Saturday when I remembered. They issued a deposit for 1 week into my account..Did I lose 1 week for not claiming in time?!

Thank you…

Nov 4, 2011 @ 9:32 AM EST

Hello everyone! Hope you all are doing well.

I’m doing ok, but very nervous of what our future holds. Has anyone heard any updates on any potential extentions after Dec? I’m currently on Tier III.

Take care!

Hello my friends!!! Well, I just watched MSNBC and they were talking to someone about how Congress has until 12/31 to work on the Unemployment Extensions, so seems like something is or will have to be “cooked” before that day, this is horrible, I am starting Tier 2 this week, but I will not be able to collect all four because the fourth one would have started past December, so, this is really bad, for me and for all the souls here that are going thru about the same . Does anyone know if they extend the Unemployment, will we be able to benefit from it? I mean us that are either on the last tiers or have finished all the tiers? Thanks for everything, we have to stay united and anything we hear, we should post it so we are all on the ball. God bless you all.

Issa, maybe you can enlighten me on this one: I was a 99er last year. I found a job which lasted 10 .5 months and company closed so I started a new claim again at that time, that is why I am on the second tier (i started this last new claim on last part of May). They tell me I am not a 99er anymore as I started a brand new claim in May, but, I am so confused, and it is so impossible to get someone at the Unemployment offices that I thought maybe some one here knew the answer to this one. Well, again, thanks soooo much, friends!

Sorry Beatrice, I wish I had the answer for you. I’m in California and am very confused about what Florida has done with unemployment, and we don’t know what the feds are going to do, yet. However, once you go back to work and then begin a new claim based on that work, you’re no longer a 99er. You’re in a whole new claim. Lucky you.

11/23/11

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

I haven’t heard anything yet about an extension..Anyone else?!

Ok I’ve seen a few people talking about this but I’m still confused. I just started my final tier of extended benefits. Will the money stop at the end of December if there is no extension or will I be able to finish this tier? I understand that if there is no extension you will not be able to file for a new tier, but I want to know if I will be able to fully collect the tier that I’m on. Can anyone provide a source that answers this question specifically? Thanks so much!

The expiration date to collect extended benefits will run out on Jan 1, 2012. Your tier will go until you have exhausted the money in the account or until June 2012. Which ever comes first. Someone can correct me if i am wrong on that June date. If you are currently on a tier now and you will not finish it by the end of the year, you will continue on that tier until you finish it. That will complete your benefits. No NEW tiers will be able to be collected after Jan 1, 2012. The June 2012 date is the date the federal govt gave until ALL tiers that people are on will expire whether you are on them or not. Thank goodness mine will not be. Your safe.Hope that helps.

Yes you will be able to complete the tier you are on!

Hope everyone is well. Smiles to all 🙂

I will be 62 next year and will be able to collect ss. does anyone know if I can collect unemployment as well as social security?

Hi people: I,m lost on the eb dead line on dec. 31 If you can help me here I,d be very happy. I,m in tier 2 It runs out on 19th will I go into tier 3 since it before dec.31??? Lost and scard here!!! I may be soon homeless like so many of are unemployed. And no one care!!!

Hi people: I,m lost on the eb dead line on dec. 31 If you can help me here I,d be very happy. I,m in tier 2 It runs out on dec 19th will I go into tier 3 since it before dec.31??? Lost and scard here!!! I may be soon homeless like so many of are unemployed. And no one care!!!

Mark in FL – I love seeing your name on here. It makes me feel like something’s right in the world. Hope you and your kids are doing OK. I forget how many you have, but I now you’re a devoted Dad. Hope all is well.

I have a general question…I’m so confused with hearing about extended benfits and different tiers. I have unemployment benefits through 1st week of February 2012 (1st 26 weeks), however if I do not find a job before then, am I out of benefits completely? No additional benefits or tiers for me?

Hi Issa – I appreciate the kind comments….always like to see your posts. My one son & I are doing great! Hope you are well too!

Vince – Since you will roll into tier 3 before the end of the year, you will get to finish that tier even if there is no date extension.

Chris – Sorry unless they extend the deadline date, you will not receive anything after yours ends in Feb.2012

Smiles to all 🙂

Hello All!!
I’m new at posting so please bear with me. This week I rolled over into my IV Tier with 6 weeks at $275 per week. I’m trying to understand the EB and 99ers.
How do you know if you qualify for EB?
If this is something that I have to apply for, do I wait until my IV Tier is exhausted?
And What’s a 99er?
Thanks so very much!!!

Members of the CBC are talking unemployment and UI on the House Floor right now. C-Span 1. They’re taking turns. They are talkling 99ers as wel

12/1/11

Thx Marr. Please keep us posted!!! We are all freaking out because the end of the year is around the corner.

Thx!!!!

Senator: ‘No Christmas for Congress’ unless unemployment benefits are extended [VIDEO]
dailycaller.com
Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin, chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, declared Wednesday that there will be

It’s hard to care for all of you now loosing your benefits “NO ONE” cared when we the “99ers ” lost ours, we did petition after petition and we have been out of work longer than anyone and still unable to find work. Thank God for family…..Dont count on the YOUR GOVERMENT for any help, THEY HAVE JOBS, AND THEY PAY VERY WELL. Until they are OUT OF WORK and scrambling to make ends meet and put food on the table for thier kids they wont give a damn.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone still out there plugging away from years ago MARR, MARK IN FL, NANCYFL and GONZO its nice to see you are still there to help those in need with UNEMPLOYMENT ISSUES.

I was hoping someone could give me a quick answer.. I am on Tier 3 with only $11.00 left. Will I automatically be enrolled into tier 4 and collect until the balance is gone (or job is found)?

I think you should be enrolling in Tier 4, in my case, I will end my Tier 2 on 12/20 which is the last day for me to call and will finish the monies for Tier 2. I just called Unemployment Dept. and they said that I will enroll automatically into Tier 3 but that’s it for me, after all of Tier 3 is finished, no more, so I would think you will automatically enroll on Tier 4.

Hey, Friends! Keep checking the latest news on the Unemployment Extensions, something is really brewing, I just heard on the news, don’t know the details but looks like a decision is inminent. God Help us All!!!

it’s really a humongous problem what’s going on at the CraigsList Jobs section, if you apply for 10 jobs posted, 9 of them are pure Scams, this is a real bad situation, I have about 76 copies of the Scams with which they reply to my job application thru email, and most of them all look the same or ask for the same crap, this also adds to the problem with job finding, you are actually applying unknowingly for SCAMS. I am up to my rooftop with anger,

You know, I think these unemployment extensions they are working on are only for those that will lose their extended federal benefits after Jan 1, 2012. I don’t think they help the 99er’s though. The Republicans also want to cut off tier 3 and 4 for all states. Only extend to tier 3 and they would cut that to 13 weeks instead of 14 weeks. I don’t know how long they would extend into 2012 either. I assume all year. It doesn’t look like it will pass but you never know.

12/12/11

Hi Larry

My extended benefits will end around Jan 7, 2012. So, does it look like I might be able to get an extension if whatever extension they are working on is approved? Please keep me (us) posted. I am so worry and still no job. Thx so much!!!!

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