I'm currently experiencing this exact same situation! My status changed to "Eligibility Redetermination" just this morning and I was immediately worried that something was wrong with my claim. Finding this thread has been such a huge relief - it's incredible to see how many people have successfully navigated this process without major issues. I've been receiving benefits for about 7 weeks now without any problems, so this status change definitely caught me off guard. Based on all the valuable advice shared here, I'm going to make sure I keep extra detailed documentation of my work search activities, verify that all my employer contact information is legitimate and current, and definitely check my ID.me verification status as QuantumQuasar suggested. It's really reassuring to read that most people's payments continued normally during this review period. I was particularly worried because I have some bills due next week, but seeing Andre's update that his payment came through on time gives me hope that mine will too. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - both the smooth ones and the more challenging situations. It really helps to have a realistic picture of what might happen and know that this community is here for support. I'll make sure to post an update once my situation resolves to help others who might be going through this in the future!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! My status changed to "Eligibility Redetermination" about 3 days ago and I was really panicking until I found this thread. It's so comforting to read everyone's experiences and see that this appears to be a routine review process that happens periodically. I've been on unemployment for about 8 weeks now and everything has been smooth sailing until this status appeared. Based on all the helpful advice here, I'm going to make sure I keep extra detailed records of my work search activities, double-check that all my employer contact information is accurate, and definitely verify my ID.me status like QuantumQuasar mentioned. What really gives me hope is seeing Andre's update that his payment came through on time even with the redetermination status still active. I have rent due next week so I was really stressed about potential delays, but it sounds like most people's payments continue normally during this process. One question for those who've been through this - did you notice the redetermination status appearing around the same time each quarter, or does the timing seem more random? I'm curious if there's a pattern to when they run these reviews. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here - this community is such a lifesaver when dealing with DEO's confusing processes!

Just a heads-up that once they change your effective date, you may need to wait for another determination letter before you can claim weeks using the new date. This typically takes 3-5 business days after the change is processed. If you don't receive a new determination letter within a week after speaking with an agent, call back to check on the status of your request.

That's great news that you finally got through! For anyone else dealing with this issue, I wanted to add that you can also try the DEO's online chat feature during business hours. It's not always available but when it is, you can sometimes get help without waiting on hold. Look for the chat bubble icon on the DEO website. The chat agents can't make changes themselves but they can escalate your case or give you a direct callback number that bypasses the main phone queue.

This thread should honestly be pinned or turned into a FAQ for this community! The amount of detailed, actionable advice here is incredible. I'm not currently dealing with Way2Go issues but I'm screenshot-ing all the key tips just in case: the phone sequences (2-4-3, 2-1-4, 2-4-3-1), calling at exactly 8:30am, spacing transactions by 1+ hours, using "credit" not "debit", trying Wells Fargo ATMs first, and that brilliant tip about making a small purchase at a major retailer to "prime" the system. It's absolutely ridiculous that accessing our own benefits requires this level of strategic planning, but you all have created an amazing resource. The banking professional's insight about velocity triggers and the advice about documenting everything are especially valuable. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - you're helping so many people avoid financial disasters!

This thread has become an amazing resource! I'm dealing with a similar Way2Go card issue right now - card keeps declining even though I have funds available. Reading through everyone's experiences and solutions has been incredibly helpful. I'm planning to try the 2-4-3 sequence tomorrow morning at exactly 8:30am like so many people recommended. The tip about spacing out transactions by at least an hour is something I never would have considered - it's crazy that normal shopping behavior triggers their fraud detection! I'm also going to try using "credit" instead of "debit" and stick to Wells Fargo ATMs based on the advice here. It's absolutely infuriating that we need these elaborate workarounds just to access our own benefits, but I'm so grateful this community exists to help each other navigate these broken systems. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their solutions - you're literally saving people from financial emergencies!

my brother got backdated but he had to prove he couldnt access connect cuz of his internet being down for 3 weeks after that hurricane in march... he had letters from the internet company and everything

I'm in a similar situation - lost my job in February but waited until April to file because I was confident I'd land something quickly. After reading through all these responses, it sounds like my chances aren't great since "thinking I'd find work" isn't considered good cause by DEO standards. For those who got approved - did you have to provide specific documentation of your job search activities during the gap period? I have some email chains with recruiters and a few rejection letters, but I'm wondering if that's enough evidence to show I was actively looking rather than just sitting around. Also seeing mixed results on calling vs using services like Claimyr. Has anyone had success with the regular DEO phone line recently, or is it still basically impossible to get through? I'd rather not pay extra if I can avoid it, but if it's the only realistic way to reach someone...

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm dealing with a very similar situation - my status just changed to "Eligibility Redetermined" last week and I have 24 weeks sitting in "Hold in Excess" status. Like everyone else here, I had no idea about any of these specific terms or strategies before finding this community. The Spanish line transfer trick that @Seraphina Delan shared sounds like exactly what I need to try - I've been getting nowhere with the regular customer service line for over a month. Planning to call tomorrow morning using that strategy along with all the key phrases everyone has discovered: "payment release request," "overpayment flags," "benefit eligibility interview status," and "pending determinations." @Clarissa Flair - your recent success story gives me so much hope! The fact that you had two separate blocking issues and got them both resolved in one call shows that persistence with the right terminology really works. I'm especially interested in asking about that benefit eligibility interview since I have no idea if one might be pending on my account. @Mason Lopez - really hoping you've made progress since starting this thread! Your situation moving to "Eligibility Redetermined" proves that even the most complicated cases can eventually move forward. Please update us on what happens when you call with all this amazing advice from everyone. It's honestly mind-blowing that we have to become DEO terminology experts just to access benefits we're legally entitled to, but this community sharing knowledge and supporting each other is making such a difference. Will definitely report back on my experience using these strategies!

Just want to add my recent experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I had almost exactly the same situation as you @Mason Lopez - "Eligibility Redetermined" status with 19 weeks stuck in "Hold in Excess" and my weekly benefit amount had mysteriously dropped from $289 to $175. After reading through all the amazing advice here, I called this morning using the Spanish line transfer trick (worked perfectly - only 25 minute wait!) and used all the key phrases everyone mentioned: - "Payment release request" - "Overpayment flags on my account" - "Benefit eligibility interview status" - "Any pending determinations blocking payment" The agent found that I had an unresolved "potential duplicate claim" flag from when I reapplied earlier this year. She was able to clear it immediately and submitted a payment release request with confirmation number DEO-2025-PR-445891. She said to expect processing within 5-7 business days! She also explained that my benefit amount dropped because they used different base period quarters when I reapplied. I'm requesting a monetary redetermination to challenge that calculation since I have wage statements showing higher earnings in the correct quarters. This community has been absolutely invaluable - I never would have known any of this terminology or the Spanish line trick without reading everyone's experiences here. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and helping fellow claimants navigate this nightmare system! Will definitely update everyone when my payments actually process. Don't give up - the right agent with the right questions really can make all the difference!