Floridians who are depending on unemployment benefits to help them wade through choppy economic waters, can now breathe easier since the U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved a bill that extends the deadline to file for extended unemployment payments until the end of this year.

This wide-ranging bill, passed with Republican support on a 62-36 vote, is estimated to cost between $140 billion and $150 billion. It now returns to the House where it s expected to pass easily before going to President Obama for signature.

The millions of unemployed Americans, thousands in South Florida, surviving on unemployment benefits were nervous that the bill would not be approved, especially last week when Republican Senator Jim Bunning refused to vote on the measure. Now in a few weeks, those who had their benefits (up to $300 weekly) expired now look forward to payment up to December, if they can’t find jobs.

According to state officials, Florida's unemployment rate rose to 11.9 percent in January, up slightly from December. This ties the record set in May 1975. An estimated 1.1 million Floridians are currently unemployed, the majority of whom are dependent on unemployment benefits.

Karina McKoy, who has been receiving unemployment benefits since she lost her administrative job in Delray Beach last July, said she was experiencing sleepless nights, when the passage of the bill was held up. “I thought the Republicans in their attempt to derail President Obama’s efforts would defeat the bill. Without unemployment benefits, I would most likely be homeless as well.”

The federal approved extension will supplement Florida funded unemployment, which is paid for a period up to 26 weeks. Continuous payments of benefits are not automatic, but are dependent on beneficiaries’ monthly report on job search efforts. Once it has been proven that the beneficiary sought a job but was unsuccessful, the benefits will continue. Accordingly, beneficiaries are required to renew their claims monthly.

Jobs coming South Florida

The passage of unemployment benefits is part one of initiatives taken by the Obama administration to boost employment in the nation. Part two is a $15 billion bill to create jobs, which is still to be approved by the Senate.

The bill also extends the federal subsidy for COBRA health insurance coverage until December 31; allows teachers to deduct education expenses; extend a credit that expired last year to businesses for research and development; temporarily halts a 21 percent reduction in Medicare physician reimbursement rates and sends $25 billion to state governments to help fund Medicaid programs for another six months. It also extends two Recovery Act provisions for small businesses and provides $354 million to continue funding the increased Small Business Administration guarantee and fee waiver through December 31.

Some fleeting good news for unemployed Miami-Dade residents, are reports that San Francisco-based Visa (credit card) will hire 350 people for a new customer service center opening near the Miami International Airport this summer. According to the reports, the center will be located in the same building as Visa's Latin America and Caribbean headquarters.

Meanwhile, state tourism officials are also trying to boost employment in the tourism sector to attract an increasing number of visitors from China. With its vibrant, expanding economy China is expected to be a lucrative market for travelers to Florida and Caribbean destinations. Already, Chinese travel abroad has risen, with 556,000 Chinese expected to visit the U.S. this year – a 15 percent increase.