I went through this transition about 3 months ago and it's definitely overwhelming at first! The Employ Florida registration is absolutely required - there's no way around it unfortunately. Here's what worked for me: - Do it on a desktop/laptop with good internet (mobile is frustrating) - Have all your employment history organized before you start - The resume builder is the most time-consuming part - plan for at least 45 minutes on that section alone - Save your work after completing each major section - Don't stress about making it perfect - you can always go back and edit later The good news is once you're done, your extended benefits should continue without interruption. I got my first payment about a week after completing everything. Just remember you'll need to keep logging into both CONNECT and Employ Florida regularly to stay compliant. It's annoying bureaucracy but totally manageable if you set aside enough time and don't rush through it. You've got this!

I'm currently going through this same transition and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I was really confused when I first got the notification about needing to register with Employ Florida. The DEO instructions made it sound optional, but clearly it's mandatory. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm planning to: - Use my laptop with Chrome browser - Block out a full afternoon when I won't be interrupted - Have my work history and an updated resume ready before I start - Save frequently and take screenshots as backup - Break it into sections over a couple days if needed One thing I'm still wondering about - has anyone had issues with the system not recognizing their completion even after getting confirmation emails? I want to make sure I follow up properly if there are any sync issues between Employ Florida and DEO like some people mentioned. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences! It's so much easier to approach this knowing what to expect.

This thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm currently job searching after being on unemployment for several months, and I had no idea that potential employers might ask for this kind of documentation. Reading through everyone's experiences has really prepared me for what to expect. I'm definitely saving the DEO FEIN number (59-3451366) and bookmarking this whole conversation. It's amazing to learn about the WOTC program too - I had heard about tax incentives for hiring certain groups but never knew the details. Makes me feel more confident about my job prospects knowing that there are actual programs in place to encourage employers to give opportunities to people transitioning off unemployment. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially the clarification about TIN vs FEIN - that could have easily caused confusion down the road!

Wow, this entire thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm about to start the job application process after being on unemployment for the past 8 months, and I had absolutely no clue that employers might request this kind of documentation. Reading through everyone's experiences - especially @e97069fb8802's journey from confusion to resolution - has given me so much confidence about what to expect. The DEO FEIN (59-3451366) is now saved in my notes, and learning about the WOTC program completely changed my perspective on these requests. Instead of seeing them as red tape, I now understand they're actually part of programs designed to help people like us get back to work. It's incredibly reassuring to know that when an employer asks for this info, it means they're actively participating in initiatives that incentivize hiring people transitioning off unemployment. This community is absolutely invaluable - thank you all for sharing your real-world experiences and making this process so much less intimidating!

When I was on unemployment last year I had sooooo many problems with the payments being wrong. My advice - screenshot EVERYTHING, keep a detailed record of all your work hours, and call them immediately when something seems off. The DEO system is a mess and sometimes the only way to get things fixed is to be super persistent. Also make sure you're documenting your 5 work searches every week!

Hey Miguel! I went through this exact same confusion when I first started getting unemployment with part-time work. The math can be really tricky to figure out at first. Based on what you've described, it sounds like Zainab nailed it - you're dealing with both the earnings deduction AND tax withholding. Here's what likely happened: - Your $275 WBA - Minus $70 (your $128 earnings minus the $58 disregard) - Equals $205 before taxes - Minus federal tax withholding (probably around $30-31 to get you to $174) The good news is this is all working as it should! You're still getting a decent benefit even with the part-time work. Just make sure you keep reporting those hours accurately each week. And definitely try to get those held weeks sorted out - that's where your real money is waiting!

Yes, you can definitely deduct business expenses for your dog sitting work! Since you're essentially running a small business, you can deduct things like: - Gas/mileage for traveling to clients (huge one!) - Dog treats, toys, or supplies you buy for the pets - Cleaning supplies if you're doing overnight sits - Phone expenses (portion used for Rover communications) - Any equipment like leashes, waste bags, etc. Keep ALL receipts and track your mileage - the IRS standard mileage rate is 65.5 cents per mile for 2023. Even small expenses add up quickly with gig work. I use a simple app to track my miles automatically. Also consider setting up a separate checking account for your Rover income and expenses - makes bookkeeping much easier come tax time. And if you're doing overnight sits, you might be able to deduct a portion of your phone/internet bills since you're using them for work. Just make sure everything is legitimately business-related and keep good records. The IRS is pretty reasonable about gig work deductions as long as you can justify them!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who does both Rover and TaskRabbit while on unemployment - the key is DOCUMENTATION! I keep screenshots of every booking confirmation, payment notification, and client message. When I had to speak with a DEO agent about a discrepancy in my claim, having all that documentation saved me from a potential overpayment situation. One thing I learned is that if you have a cancellation fee from Rover (like when a client cancels last minute), you still need to report that as income for the week it was earned, even though you didn't actually provide any service. DEO considers any payment from your 1099 work as reportable income. Also, don't forget that Florida has a partial benefit formula - if your weekly Rover earnings plus your reduced unemployment benefit end up being less than your full weekly benefit amount, you might actually come out ahead financially some weeks. It's worth doing the math to see if picking up an extra small gig is worth it or if you should wait for a bigger one. Stay organized and honest with your reporting - the system is definitely confusing but being upfront about everything is always the safest route!

Just wondering did u check ur spam folder in ur email??? Sometimes DEO sends electronic copies and they go to spam. Worth checking!!

I went through this same nightmare last year! One thing that worked for me was actually going to a local CareerSource office - they have direct access to DEO systems and can sometimes pull up your 1099-G right there and print it for you. Way faster than dealing with the website or phone system. You can find your nearest location on the CareerSource Florida website. Just bring your ID and any unemployment paperwork you have. The staff there are usually much more helpful than the DEO phone reps too.