TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida's improving unemployment rate will have a negative effect on many of those who remain jobless.

State officials say federal extended benefits will be cut off on May 12. That's because Florida's 9 percent March unemployment rate is too low to continue qualifying for those funds.

Extended benefits previously provided up to 20 weeks of compensation.

Federal emergency unemployment compensation that once offered up to 53 weeks of benefits also is due to expire at the end of 2012.

Unemployed workers who apply for compensation in 2013 then would get no more than 20 weeks of state benefits in Florida if the jobless rate remains at its present level, or less if it declines.

That compares to a maximum of 99 weeks of combined state-federal benefits once available.