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DEO CONNECT site won't let me claim weeks since September - no button showing
I'm completely stuck with my unemployment claim and getting desperate. Haven't been able to claim any weeks since September 13th (last payment I received). The system just doesn't show any button or option to claim my weeks! I've done everything they asked - set up the Microsoft Authenticator, filled out all my info for that Florida resume maker wizard thing, and even waited the full 48 hours they said it would take to process. Still NOTHING shows up to claim weeks. Did they kick me off the system? How would I even know if they did? I've got bills piling up and no income for over a month now. Has anyone else had this problem with the claim weeks button just disappearing? What steps should I take to fix this mess?
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DEO extension deadline today - urgent clarification on claiming final weeks needed
Freaking out a little bit here! Today is literally my very last day to claim my final weeks on my current benefit year, but I've heard people mentioning extensions. I've been on regular unemployment for almost 11 months now (the job market in my field has been BRUTAL). My benefit year ends on April 2nd and I have about $2,700 left in my maximum benefit amount. Does anyone know how the extension process works? Do I need to file some special application or does it happen automatically? Will there be a gap in payments? Sorry for all the questions but the DEO website is super confusing about this and I REALLY don't want to mess this up.
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Just to add some specific details that might help: when you reapply, DEO will look at your "base period" which is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you apply. You need at least $3,400 in earnings spread across at least two quarters in that period. And yes, you will likely need to verify through ID.me again, but once you've done it before, the second time is usually much faster. Also, with the work search requirements - make sure you're documenting EVERYTHING. Name of business, position, date of application, how you applied, contact information, etc. DEO can audit your work searches at any time within 2 years of payment.
Thank you! I had no idea they could audit that far back. I've been keeping pretty good records just in case, but I'll make sure to be extra thorough with these final weeks.
btw if ur planning to reapply make sure ur CONNECT acct password is up to date cuz mine expired rite when i needed to apply again and i got locked out for like 2 weeks trying to get it reset. total nightmare. check that today if u can
Good point, I just checked and my password expires in 8 days. I'll update it today while I'm claiming these weeks. Thanks for the reminder!
Do I qualify for Federal backpay after maxing out regular DEO benefits and applying for extension?
I've been struggling with understanding my benefits timeline since being laid off from my restaurant management job in February 2025. I received my regular Florida unemployment (RA) benefits for the full 12 weeks, which just ended last week. Total was about $3,250 over that period ($275/week but minus taxes). I've applied for the PEUC extension yesterday through CONNECT, but I'm confused about the federal supplement. When I first started receiving my regular benefits in March, I noticed I was only getting the state amount. I'm wondering if I'm entitled to receive back payments of the federal supplement money from when I first became eligible? The DEO website is super confusing about this and the automated phone system keeps hanging up on me. Can anyone explain how the backpay works for the federal supplement when you've maxed out regular benefits? Will they automatically add it when my extension gets approved or do I need to submit a separate request? Thanks in advance for any guidance! This community has been so helpful during this stressful time.
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OMG this system is such a JOKE!!!! 😡 I've been trying to get my backpay for 3 MONTHS and keep getting different answers every time I call (when I can even get thru). One rep says I'll get it automatically, another says I need to file an appeal, a third says there's no such thing as backpay anymore... I'm about to lose my MIND dealing with these people!!!! Why is it so hard to just get what we're entitled to????
I understand your frustration. DEO representatives often provide inconsistent information because the policies frequently change and training isn't always thorough. For the most current and accurate information, I recommend asking specifically for a Claims Supervisor or Benefits Payment Review Specialist when you call. These senior staff members typically have better access to the most current policy information and system tools to resolve backpay issues.
Thank you all for the incredibly helpful responses! I was able to get through to DEO this morning after trying that Claimyr service (worked surprisingly well). The agent confirmed I am eligible for the FAC backpay and has submitted a request for review. She said it should take 7-10 business days to process and will be deposited separately from my regular benefits. She also mentioned that my extension application is still pending but should be processed within the next week. For anyone else in this situation, I learned you need to specifically ask for a "Federal Payment Review" and have them note in your file which weeks you're missing the federal supplement. I'm going to follow up next week if I don't see any updates in my CONNECT account. Thanks again everyone for your guidance!
Glad it worked out! Just keep an eye on your account and don't be afraid to follow up if it takes longer than they said. Mine took closer to 2 weeks rather than the 7-10 days they quoted me.
DEO extended benefits showing balance but no claim weeks available - what gives?
Hey everyone, I'm in a weird situation with my Florida unemployment. I was just approved for extended benefits after my regular RA benefits expired last week. My CONNECT account is showing a positive balance of $4,250, but when I log in, there are literally NO weeks available for me to claim! The system shows I'm eligible with money in my account, but gives me no option to actually claim any weeks. It's been 4 days now with no change. This makes zero sense - if I'm approved with money in my account, shouldn't I be able to claim? Anyone else run into this bizarre situation? I need this money for March rent and am getting desperate. Called DEO 17 times today but couldn't get through to a human.
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Wait you got aproved for extended benefits?? I thought those ended!! What kind of extended benifits are these?
DEO still taking taxes even after updating my preference - how long for tax withholding changes to take effect?
I submitted a change to my DEO CONNECT account last Tuesday to STOP the tax withholding from my unemployment payments because I need the full amount right now to cover rent. But I just got another payment today and they're STILL taking out the taxes! Does anyone know how long it takes for these tax withholding changes to actually take effect? Is there somewhere else I need to update this besides the preferences section? Getting really frustrated because that's almost $45 I really needed this week.
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When I worked at the DEO call center (left in 2024), this was actually a common question. The tax withholding updates follow their own schedule separate from the regular payment processing. Here's what happens: 1. You make the change in CONNECT 2. The change gets queued for processing in the tax batch (runs weekly) 3. Once processed, it's applied to future payment calculations Depending on when you made the change relative to the tax batch schedule, it typically takes 1-2 payment cycles, but can occasionally take 3 cycles in worst-case scenarios. The withheld money isn't lost - you'll get it back when you file your taxes next year if you're due a refund. Unfortunately, there's no way to get it released sooner once it's been withheld. If it doesn't change after 2 more payments, you should call and ask them to verify the change was properly saved in their system.
Thanks for the detailed explanation! Guess I'll just have to be patient and wait another week or two. And you're right that I'll get it back with taxes, but just frustrating when you need every penny right now. Appreciate the insider knowledge!
my cousin had this problem too! he said he talked to someone at DEO who told him they process those changes on Thursdays so if you do it after Thursday it won't happen till the next week. dunno if thats true but might explain why its taking so long for you
This actually aligns with what I've heard - there are specific processing days for different types of account changes. Tax withholding being processed on Thursdays sounds plausible, though I can't confirm that's still current. The DEO often changes their internal procedures.
Mei Lin
my cousin had something like this happen and he had to make a whole new employ florida account because his old one got corrupted somehow. might be worth trying if nothing else works
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Jamal Wilson
That's TERRIBLE advice! Making a new account when you already have one can flag you for fraud investigation! DON'T do this!
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Mei Lin
oh sorry didnt know that. my cousin must have done something different then.
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Andre Dupont
FINAL UPDATE: The claim weeks button finally appeared this morning! I can now claim my missing weeks from the past month. The DEO agent was right - it was an issue with the Employ Florida system not properly marking my profile as complete even though I had done everything correctly. So relieved to finally get this fixed. For anyone else with this problem, definitely try to get a live agent on the phone - it's the only way I could get it resolved.
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Zoe Papanikolaou
Great news! Make sure to claim all those weeks right away. Sometimes there's a limited window to claim past weeks, especially if they've been pending for a while.
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Liam Fitzgerald
Awesome! Glad to hear Claimyr helped you get through. It saved me so much frustration compared to constantly redialing the DEO number.
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