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...

Harold, I completely understand your frustration! I went through a similar CONNECT lockout situation about 6 months ago and it was one of the most stressful experiences I've had. Three weeks is brutal - you must have been going crazy not being able to access your account. Everyone here has given you great info about the $600 supplement being long gone (pandemic-only benefit that ended in 2021). It's such a bummer because that extra money really made a difference back then, but now we're stuck with just the regular Florida amounts which are honestly pathetic. Since you're getting $306/week, I wanted to suggest looking into SNAP benefits if you haven't already - the income limits are pretty generous when you're on unemployment, and it can really help stretch your grocery budget. Also, if you have any utility bills piling up, most power companies in Florida have hardship programs for people on unemployment. For the work search requirements, don't sleep on attending virtual career fairs - they usually count as 2-3 contacts each since you can talk to multiple employers. Florida Works (employflorida.com) posts them regularly. Hope you find something soon and can get off this roller coaster! The system definitely isn't designed to actually help people, but at least you got back into CONNECT finally.

Harold, I'm so sorry you went through that 3-week CONNECT lockout nightmare! That sounds absolutely terrible and I can only imagine how stressful it must have been not being able to access your benefits while bills keep coming. Everyone here has already given you the hard truth about the $600 supplement - that was only during the pandemic (FPUC) and ended back in September 2021. I know it's disappointing to realize you'll only be getting your regular Florida amount of $306/week. The system really is broken when that's supposed to help people survive. Since you mentioned being stressed about the whole process, I wanted to share something that helped me when I was on unemployment last year - try to set up a routine around your weekly claiming and work search activities. I found that doing everything on the same day each week (like Sunday mornings) helped reduce my anxiety about forgetting deadlines or missing requirements. Also, make sure you save screenshots of EVERYTHING in CONNECT - your weekly certifications, work search logs, payment history, etc. The system glitches constantly and having your own records can save you major headaches if something goes wrong again. Hang in there! The job market is actually pretty decent right now, so hopefully you'll find something soon and won't have to deal with this broken system much longer.

Congratulations on landing the retail management position! Just went through this exact process last month when I started my new job. The advice from @Giovanni Moretti is spot on - report your return to work during your final week claim, provide all employer details, and you're done. One small tip: screenshot or save confirmation of when you reported the job just in case you ever need proof later. DEO's system can be glitchy sometimes and it's good to have documentation. Best of luck with the new role!

Congrats on the new job! I just went through this same process a few weeks ago. One thing I'll add to all the great advice here - make sure you're 100% clear on your actual start date vs. orientation/training days. I almost made a mistake because my "orientation" was on a Friday but my actual first paid work day wasn't until the following Monday. DEO cares about when you start getting paid, not when you show up for paperwork. Also, if your new job offers any kind of signing bonus or immediate payment, that counts as earnings for the week you receive it. Just wanted to mention these details since they can trip people up! Good luck with the retail management position - hope it goes great!

This is an incredibly helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - won my appeal in September but still haven't received any payments. Reading through everyone's experiences gives me hope and a clear action plan. For anyone else who might find this thread, here's what I'm taking away as the key steps: 1. Call and specifically ask for "Special Projects" or "Appeal Payment Processing" 2. Mention the "technical flag" that needs manual removal 3. Request an "expedited payment release" due to financial hardship 4. Use services like Claimyr if you can't get through on your own 5. Contact your state representative's office if all else fails @Zachary Hughes thank you for keeping us updated throughout your process - it's so rare to see someone follow through with updates after getting their issue resolved. This thread should be pinned as a resource for others! Going to try calling the Benefits Payment Control Unit number tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!

This thread is incredibly valuable - thank you @Zachary Hughes for documenting your entire journey and providing updates! As someone who works with unemployment cases, I want to add a few additional tips that might help others in similar situations: 1. **Document everything**: Keep a log of every call attempt with date/time, any confirmation numbers, and names of representatives you speak with 2. **Email backup**: Send yourself an email summary after each successful call - this creates a timestamp record of what was promised 3. **Check for system glitches**: Sometimes after appeals, your claim can get "stuck" between different processing queues. Ask the agent to verify which queue your claim is currently in 4. **Payment method verification**: Double-check that your direct deposit info wasn't somehow corrupted during the appeal process - this is more common than people realize The "technical flag" issue @Zachary Hughes mentioned is actually a known problem in the CONNECT system where appeals reversals don't always trigger the automatic payment release. It's frustrating that claimants have to know to ask specifically about this. For anyone still struggling: if you've tried all the suggested phone numbers and services, you can also file a complaint with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's ombudsman office. Sometimes having an official complaint on file can expedite resolution. Great job staying persistent - your story will definitely help others navigate this broken system!

Just wanted to add one more resource that might help with your situation - check if your county has a 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1). They can connect you with local resources for emergency rent assistance, utility help, and food assistance during your transition period. I used this when I was between jobs last year and they helped me find programs I never knew existed. Some counties even have specific "return to work" assistance programs that can help with things like work clothes, gas money for the first few weeks, or emergency childcare vouchers. The gap between unemployment ending and first paycheck is real and stressful - you're definitely not alone in dealing with this. Having multiple backup plans in place will give you peace of mind during the transition!

I went through almost the exact same situation last year! The key thing is being super precise with your reporting dates. You can absolutely continue claiming until July 10th (your start date), but make sure you report accepting the job offer on your very next certification. One thing that really helped me during that gap period was asking my new employer if they could do a payroll advance or if they had any employee assistance programs. Some companies will help bridge that gap, especially if you explain the childcare situation. It never hurts to ask! Also, regarding the childcare costs - have you looked into whether your new employer offers childcare benefits or partnerships with local daycares? Some companies have deals that can reduce costs significantly. And definitely apply for that School Readiness Program that Chloe mentioned - it was a lifesaver for my family. Hang in there, the transition is tough but you're asking all the right questions and planning ahead. That first "real" paycheck will feel amazing after everything you've been through!