Based on recent patterns, here's what you should expect with your backdating request: 1. Initial waiting period: 2-3 weeks (you're already here) 2. Fact-finding phase: You'll likely receive questions in your CONNECT inbox about why you didn't file earlier. Respond promptly! 3. Adjudication phase: 3-5 weeks where they review your case 4. Decision and payment: If approved, weeks appear as payable all at once Total timeline: 5-9 weeks in most cases Pro tip: While waiting, go ahead and complete the work search requirements for those backdated weeks (5 job contacts per week). You can enter them now using the Work Search Record section for each claimed week. Having this ready will speed up your payment once approved.

How do I modify a claim date in the system?

One last point about work search requirements being waived - make sure you're monitoring your DEO inbox in CONNECT regularly. They sometimes send updates about work search requirements changing with very little notice. I've seen people who had waivers suddenly get them revoked and not realize it until they had issues with their claims. The safest approach is to do at least some token job searching even with a waiver, just to be covered in case of any DEO system issues.

Does anyone else think its RIDICULOUS that they make this so confusing?? Like just tell us exactly what to click!!! Why is the Florida unemployment system designed to be so hard to use?? Ugh sorry just needed to vent lol

Quick tip: take screenshots of EVERYTHING. I had a similar situation and then my account got locked for "verification" and I needed proof of what had happened before. The DEO system is weird like that.

my sister had to wait 6 weeks b4 she got any money so ur lucky ur getting paid already lol

my sister just went through this! turned out she had to claim a second time first payment never comes automatically you have to do the claim weeks TWICE before money starts. really weird but that's how Florida's system works for some reason

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! I finally got through to DEO this morning (took about 15 attempts) and found out there was an 'employment verification hold' that wasn't showing up in my account. The agent cleared it and said my payments should process within 48 hours. She also confirmed my Way2Go card was mailed 3 weeks ago, so she's having them send a replacement. Really appreciate all the advice - this system is so confusing for newcomers!

my wife had the same thing happen got locked out for like 2 months. she kept calling that stupid number everyday and nothing. then she found out about the ID.me thing and did that and got an email saying she was verified but her account was still locked. she kept calling and finally got through to someone who told her she had to wait for a "determination letter" or something. took another 3 weeks but they finally unlocked it. whole system is a mess tbh

To provide an update for everyone in this thread: After following the advice here, I was able to get my account unlocked yesterday! What ultimately worked: 1. Called the 833-FL-APPLY number at exactly 8:30am with options 5-2-2 2. Got through after only 2 attempts (shocking!) 3. Spoke with a very helpful agent named Maria who verified all my documents were already in the system 4. She escalated my case to a supervisor for immediate review 5. Received an email about 4 hours later that my account was unlocked The agent confirmed they're dealing with a huge backlog of identity theft cases, and that cases often get stuck if you don't specifically ask for an escalation. She also mentioned they're prioritizing cases that are over 45 days old (mine was at 52 days). Thank you everyone for your help! Hope this works for others in the same situation.

Update: I finally got through to DEO this morning! The representative confirmed that the $750 was for my waiting week that they're now paying retroactively. She also said the random week I was prompted to claim was due to a "recalculation of my benefit year" whatever that means. She advised me to just keep claiming weeks whenever CONNECT prompts me to, even if the schedule seems weird. Apparently their system update in May caused some weeks to be "lost" temporarily and now they're fixing it. Thanks everyone for the help and sharing your experiences! At least I know I'm not going crazy 😅

@profile4 I called right when they opened at 7:30am and still waited on hold for 1.5 hours. I think Monday mornings are slightly better than other times. Just had to keep redialing when it disconnected me (about 8 times).

Something to consider - if your second employer was out of state or didn't properly report your wages to Florida's unemployment system, you'll definitely need to provide that documentation. Also, the wage base period for 2025 claims is a bit different - they look at Oct 2023 - Sept 2024 for base wages, not 2019. Are you sure 2019 is the relevant year for your claim?

Glad I could help! DEO's letters can be really confusing. Make sure you look at the Base Period box on your Monetary Determination letter - it shows exactly which quarters they're using to calculate your benefits. Then check if all your employers during those quarters are listed correctly with the right wage amounts.

BTW - Make ABSOLUTELY SURE your identity verification with ID.me is current! Sometimes these redeterminations trigger another identity check. My account got locked during redetermination because my ID.me verification had expired and I didn't even know it!

my coworker told me his status changed to redtermination too and he got worried but nothing ever happened actually and then a few weeks later they just sent him an email saying everything was fine so maybe its just like a random audit thing they do?

my cousin works for the unemployment office and she says the waiting week is a way they save money hoping people don't follow up on it lol

Update: You guys were right! Just checked my account this morning and there was another $275 deposit for my waiting week. Took about 5 weeks total from when I first applied. Thanks everyone for the help and reassurance!

This reminds me of last year when they suddenly stopped my payments because they claimed I didn't submit my work searches but I definitely did. Took 3 months to fix and I nearly lost my apartment. The DEO system is so broken. I switched to direct deposit instead of the Way2Go card and that seemed to help with getting payments faster once they started again.

UPDATE: I just received an email from DEO about the payment delays. They confirmed they're processing backpayments in batches and everyone should be caught up by June 30th. They apologized for the delay and confirmed no additional action is needed from claimants. Just wanted to share this official confirmation with everyone.