I'm just joining this community and reading through this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I had no idea unemployment worked this way with the base period requirements and minimum earnings thresholds. Like many others here, I always assumed you could just reapply immediately when benefits run out. The detail about needing $3,800 across at least two quarters in your base period is information that really should be front and center on the DEO website. That "reapply" button is so misleading without proper context about eligibility requirements. I'm bookmarking this thread because even though I'm not in this situation right now, it's clear that understanding these rules ahead of time could save a lot of stress and confusion later. The practical advice about temp agencies, record keeping, and services like Claimyr is invaluable. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's obvious this community really looks out for each other with real, actionable advice rather than just vague responses. This is exactly the kind of information people need when navigating Florida's unemployment system!

This entire thread has been so educational! I'm currently about 8 months into my unemployment claim and had no idea about any of these reapplication requirements. The fact that you need $3,800 in earnings across two quarters in your base period is something I definitely would have panicked about if my benefits exhausted without knowing this ahead of time. I've been doing some occasional freelance graphic design work (maybe $1,200 total so far) but now I'm realizing I should probably be more strategic about spreading that work across different quarters and potentially picking up some additional part-time work to make sure I have options if I need to reapply later. The Claimyr service recommendation keeps coming up - I'm definitely going to bookmark that in case I need to actually speak with a DEO agent at some point. The regular phone system sounds like a nightmare based on everyone's experiences. Thanks to Justin for starting this thread and to everyone who shared such detailed, practical advice. This is the kind of real-world information that you just can't find on official websites. It's clear this community really helps people navigate these confusing systems!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - I know exactly how frustrating and scary it is! I went through the exact same thing about 6 weeks ago when my benefits just stopped with no explanation. The constant hangups made me feel like I was going crazy. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I used the Claimyr service (which is legitimate - took about 2 hours to get through) AND I emailed my state senator's office through their website. The senator's staff actually got back to me within 2 days and had someone from DEO call me directly within a week. Turns out there was a "system flag" on my account that wasn't showing up anywhere in CONNECT - apparently this has been happening to tons of people lately due to some backend system changes they're not telling anyone about. In the meantime, document EVERYTHING - screenshot your CONNECT account showing no pending issues, keep a log of all your call attempts with times/dates. If you end up needing to escalate further, having that documentation really helps. Also, check if your local library has computers you can use to access CONNECT if you need to - sometimes the website works better on different devices/networks. I know how overwhelming this feels when bills are due, but don't give up. You WILL get through to someone eventually and get this sorted out!

I'm dealing with this exact same issue right now and it's absolutely infuriating! Been trying to reach DEO for over a week about my claim that suddenly went into "pending" status with zero explanation. The constant hangups feel like psychological torture at this point. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though - I had no idea there were so many alternative approaches. I'm definitely going to try that Tallahassee direct line (850-245-7105) tomorrow morning and look into the Claimyr service. The fact that multiple people have confirmed it's legitimate makes me feel better about trying it. What really gets me is how they can just stop people's benefits without any notification or clear path to resolution. It's like they're banking on us giving up out of frustration. The stress of bills piling up while you can't even talk to a human being is unreal. Thank you to everyone sharing their success stories and tips - it gives me hope that there actually are ways through this broken system. I'll definitely post an update once I try some of these methods. Solidarity to everyone else going through this nightmare right now!

I just had my RESEA appointment at CareerSource Palm Beach County last week and wanted to add my experience to help others! The appointment was actually quite helpful - my counselor spent time reviewing my resume and suggested some formatting improvements that made it look much more professional. They also showed me how to use the EmployFlorida.com job search tools more effectively. One thing I wasn't prepared for was that they asked about my career goals and what types of positions I was targeting. It wasn't a test or anything, but having a clear answer helped them provide more relevant job search advice. The whole process took about an hour and a half. Make sure to bring a folder with all your work search documentation organized chronologically - it makes everything go much smoother. And definitely don't stress about it! They're genuinely there to help you succeed in your job search, not to catch you doing something wrong.

I just wanted to add that I had my RESEA appointment at the WPB office about 2 months ago and it was honestly much less stressful than I expected! The counselor was really patient and walked me through everything step by step. A few tips that helped me: 1) I organized all my work search records in a simple spreadsheet by week with columns for company, position, date applied, and method (online, phone, etc.) - they loved this format! 2) I brought copies of job postings I had applied to, which really showed I was serious about my search. 3) The counselor actually helped me identify some skills I hadn't put on my resume and suggested local training programs I could take advantage of. The whole thing took about 90 minutes and I left feeling like I had better tools for my job search. Don't let the official-sounding letter scare you - they really do want to help you succeed!

I just wanted to add another resource that helped me when I was in a similar situation - the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has an ombudsman office that can help with complex cases. You can reach them at DEO.Ombudsman@deo.myflorida.com. They're supposed to be a neutral party that can investigate when you're not getting resolution through normal channels. I found this after trying the regular DEO.Determinations email with limited success. The ombudsman actually called me back within a week and was able to escalate my case to someone with more authority. They seem to have better access to the system and can cut through some of the bureaucratic red tape. Like everyone else has said, documentation is key - I sent them my timeline of interactions, confirmation numbers, and screenshots showing the inconsistent information I was getting. The ombudsman was able to see patterns in my case that the regular reps couldn't access. Just another option to try if the determinations email doesn't work out. The more channels we can utilize, the better our chances of reaching someone who can actually help. Good luck to everyone still fighting this system!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently dealing with a 4-week adjudication delay myself and was about to give up after countless frustrating phone calls. The systematic documentation approach that @Liam Brown, @Butch Sledgehammer, and others have shared is exactly what I needed to hear. I love how you've all turned this chaotic process into actionable steps. I'm going to try the multi-pronged approach: detailed email to DEO.Determinations@deo.myflorida.com with a comprehensive timeline, Customer Feedback complaint, and now I know about the ombudsman office too thanks to @Marcelle Drum. The fact that multiple people here have gotten actual results with organized documentation gives me hope that persistence really does pay off. It's honestly shameful that we have to become case investigators just to access our own benefits, but I'm grateful this community exists to share real solutions. The pattern seems clear - the more organized and persistent you are, the more likely you are to reach someone who can actually access your full file and resolve the issue. Going to start building my spreadsheet tonight. Will definitely update with results. Thank you all for sharing what actually works instead of just commiserating - though the venting is totally justified too! 💪

I actually ended up switching industries after going through the same thing! I was in hotel management for 8 years but had to take a customer service job at a credit union when my benefits ran out. It was scary at first because the pay was about 30% less, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The hours are much better (no more weekends/holidays), and I've actually gotten two promotions in the past year. My advice would be to stay open to different industries, especially ones that value customer service skills from hospitality. Banks, insurance companies, healthcare offices, and even some tech companies really appreciate people who know how to deal with difficult customers and work under pressure. The skills from hotel work translate better than you might think! For the SNAP application - definitely do it now rather than waiting. It took about 2 weeks to get approved when I applied, and having that food assistance took so much stress off while I was job hunting. There's no shame in using the safety net programs when you need them - that's exactly what they're there for. Also, if you have any hotel connections, don't be afraid to reach out. A lot of places are starting to hire again but they're being really picky, so having an internal referral can make a huge difference. Good luck!

I just want to echo what others have said about checking your CONNECT account for your actual end date rather than worrying about September rumors. I went through this exact same panic last month when I heard similar misinformation floating around social media groups. The reality is Florida's system is pretty straightforward - you get your 12 weeks (or up to 19 if unemployment rate is higher) and that's it. No special cutoff dates, no mass terminations. Just individual claim periods based on when you started. For what it's worth, I was also in hospitality (restaurant management) and had to pivot when my benefits ran out. The adjustment period was tough, but I found that emphasizing skills like crisis management, multitasking, and customer relations really helped me land interviews in unexpected places. Don't limit yourself to just hotel positions - your experience dealing with stressed guests and managing multiple priorities simultaneously is valuable in lots of industries. Also, start that job search intensively now while you still have those 3 weeks of benefits as a buffer. It takes the pressure off and gives you more negotiating power than waiting until you're completely out of income.