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my sisters friend works at deo and says they deliberately slow down claims hoping people will give up or find work. they get bonuses for denied claims!!!! the whole system is corrupt
I've worked with the unemployment system extensively as an advocate, and while there are certainly problems with DEO's efficiency, the claim about bonuses for denials is not accurate. The delays are more often due to understaffing, outdated technology, and complex federal requirements. DEO staff are actually evaluated on claim processing speed, not denial rates. Spreading misinformation just adds unnecessary stress to an already stressful situation.
Last year I forgot to do my work searches for like 2 weeks and my claim went into adjudication for 3 months!! I called Amazon, Verizon, my apartment complex and literally everyone I owed money to and most gave me extensions or payment plans when I explained I was waiting on unemployment. The only ones who wouldn't work with me were my credit card companies - they didn't care at all. It's definitely worth calling EVERYONE you pay bills to!
That's so frustrating about the credit cards! I'm in the same boat - Capital One wouldn't budge at all. Did you eventually get your benefits for those weeks? I'm worried because I missed one week of work searches when I was sick.
I eventually got approved but they denied the specific weeks where I missed work searches. They're super strict about the 5 work search activities per week now. If you have any kind of documentation that you were sick (like a doctor's note or even prescription receipts), upload that to CONNECT and explain. Sometimes they'll make exceptions for documented illness.
So sick of these govt agencies treating hardworking people like CRIMINALS!!! You should contact your state representative too - sometimes they can help push appeals through faster. My sister did this when her benefits were denied and suddenly DEO was CALLING HER back instead of ignoring her!! The state reps have special contacts at DEO that regular people don't have access to.
UPDATE: I've decided to appeal after all the helpful advice here. I found my original offer letter, job posting, and texts from my brief time there. I'm drafting my appeal letter using the specific phrases suggested ("materially different working conditions" and "good cause attributable to employer"). I'll continue claiming weeks while I wait for the appeal hearing. Thanks everyone for giving me hope that this might be fixable!
Excellent decision. Make sure your appeal is concise and fact-based. Focus on the specific differences between what was promised/advertised and what you actually experienced. Avoid emotional language or complaints about personalities - stick to the material differences in job duties, conditions, and expectations. Good luck, and please update us when you hear back!
Update: I emailed the backdating address AND contacted my state rep this morning. I also bit the bullet and tried that Claimyr service to get through by phone. IT WORKED!!! Finally got a DEO agent on the line after weeks of trying. The agent confirmed both issues - my effective date was wrong AND there was a system error causing that 2025 date. She fixed both while I was on the phone. My CONNECT now shows I can claim weeks starting next Monday (which is normal) and she said my effective date was adjusted back to January when I first lost my job. She also explained that the weekly/maximum benefit amounts are just the state portion, and the federal supplement ($875) will be added automatically to each payment. Thanks everyone for your help! This forum saved me so much stress and potentially thousands in benefits I might have missed out on.
That's fantastic news! I'm so glad you got it resolved quickly. Make sure you keep detailed records of your work search activities for each week you claim (5 per week required now). The DEO is doing random audits and you don't want to have to pay anything back.
Update: I managed to get through to DEO this morning. The agent confirmed my mass layoff exemption expired three weeks ago! I'm supposed to be doing 5 work search activities for each week I claim now. She said I need to start immediately for this coming claim, but they might go back and review my previous weeks too. I'm going to start applying for jobs right away. Thanks everyone for the help!
Glad you got it sorted out! Make sure you keep detailed records of all your job searches - company name, contact info, position, application date, method of contact, etc. DEO can request proof of your work searches up to 1 year after you claim benefits.
Wait I got confused reading this thread. I thought we only needed to do 3 work searches? When did it change to 5?
Florida has required 5 work search activities per week for regular unemployment since late 2023. It used to be 3 during the pandemic, and some other states still only require 3, which causes confusion. But Florida DEO specifically requires 5 per week unless you have an exemption or are using the CareerSource center option.
Zainab Ibrahim
I'm still fighting with them over MY backdated weeks from JANUARY! Every time I call they tell me something different. One agent says it's approved, next one says there's no record of the request. Another says I need to submit more documentation. Then the next says everything looks fine just keep waiting. I'M GOING INSANE DEALING WITH DEO!!!!!
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Dmitry Kuznetsov
It sounds like your case might be stuck in limbo between departments. This happened to me too. Ask specifically to speak with a Tier 2 agent or someone from the \
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