Dylan, congratulations on your first payment! I see everyone has given you great advice already. Just wanted to add one more perspective as someone who's been through this process recently. The waiting week confusion is totally normal - I think every first-time filer gets confused about this. You're correct that you won't get paid for that first week (6/30-7/4 in your case), and yes, you just move forward from here. Don't stress about it! One thing I wish someone had told me early on: set up a simple system NOW to track everything. I use a basic notebook where I write down: - Each work search with full details (date, company, contact method, result) - Screenshots of my biweekly claims - Any correspondence with DEO - My claim schedule dates It seems like overkill at first, but trust me, if you ever get selected for an audit or have any issues, you'll be SO glad you kept detailed records from day one. The people who run into trouble are usually the ones who tried to recreate their records months later. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions here! This community has been super helpful, and there's no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to navigating Florida's unemployment system. We've all been where you are now. You're off to a great start - just stay organized and you'll be fine!

Dylan, congratulations on getting your first payment! That's always such a relief when you're dealing with Florida's unemployment system for the first time. Everyone has given you excellent advice already, but I wanted to add one small tip that helped me when I was starting out: if you're ever unsure about anything related to your claim, check the "Messages" section in CONNECT regularly. Sometimes DEO sends important notifications through the system that don't always trigger email alerts. Also, regarding your work search activities - since you're just getting started, consider registering with your local CareerSource center if you haven't already. They offer free resources like resume help, job search assistance, and networking events. Plus, attending their workshops counts as valid work search activities, and they can provide documentation if you need it for an audit later. The learning curve is steep at first, but once you get into the routine of claiming every two weeks and keeping track of your work searches, it becomes much more manageable. You're asking all the right questions, which shows you're taking this seriously - that's going to serve you well throughout the process. Keep doing what you're doing, stay organized, and don't hesitate to ask more questions as they come up. This community is really helpful for navigating all the quirks of the Florida DEO system!

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...

I went through this same nightmare about 4 months ago! My balance was stuck at $0 for almost 5 weeks while I had like 8 unclaimed weeks just sitting there. I was so confused and frustrated because the system was letting me claim weeks but showing no money available. Turns out there was an "identity verification" hold on my account that I didn't even know about until I finally got through to a DEO agent. They needed additional documentation to verify my identity, but the notification got buried in my CONNECT messages and I almost missed it completely. Here's what saved me: I kept claiming every single week even with the $0 balance (thank god I found advice similar to what everyone here is giving!), and I made sure to complete all 5 work searches religiously. When they finally cleared the identity verification issue, my balance updated overnight and I got a huge direct deposit covering all those weeks I had claimed. My advice: Log into CONNECT every single day and check EVERYTHING - messages, determinations, pending issues. Sometimes they hide important stuff in sections you wouldn't think to look. And definitely keep a detailed log of all your job search activities because they can request proof at any time. The whole process is designed to wear you down, but if you stay persistent and keep following the rules, you'll get your money eventually!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! My balance has been showing $0 for about 2 weeks but I have 3 unclaimed weeks available. Reading through all these responses is so helpful - I had no idea that I should keep claiming weeks even with a zero balance. I was actually scared to claim them thinking it might mess something up in the system. I just checked my "Determination, Pending Issues and Decision Summary" section like someone mentioned and there's definitely something there about adjudication that I didn't notice before. The date shows it started about 2 weeks ago which matches when my balance went to zero. One question for everyone who's been through this - when you were doing your 5 work searches per week during the $0 balance period, did you have any issues with the system accepting them? Sometimes when I try to log my work searches it gives me error messages, and I'm worried that might cause problems later when they review everything. Also, has anyone tried that Claimyr service that was mentioned? I've been trying to call DEO for days with no luck and I'm getting desperate to talk to an actual person about what's happening with my claim.

My brother got audited cuz he forgot to put his unemployment on his taxes last year so definitely don't skip it

If you're still unsure about doing it yourself, many local libraries and community centers offer free tax prep help through the VITA program (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). They're trained on unemployment reporting and can make sure everything gets filed correctly. I used VITA when I had unemployment income a couple years ago and they knew exactly how to handle the DEO 1099-G. Just another option if you want professional help without paying the big tax software fees.

I've been following this thread closely and wanted to share an update from my experience yesterday. I tried the technical support line (833-352-7759) at exactly 7:30 AM and actually got through to a human after about 15 minutes on hold! The agent was really helpful - she couldn't resolve my claim issue directly but she transferred me to a claims specialist who was able to see that my payments had indeed been sent to a Way2Go card I never received. She expedited a replacement card and also switched me back to direct deposit for future payments. She said I should see the replacement card in 5-7 business days and any pending payments will be reissued once I activate it. The key things that seemed to help: - Calling right at 7:30 AM sharp (not 7:29 or 7:31) - Being polite but persistent about needing a transfer to claims - Having my claimant ID and all documentation ready - Explaining I'd been trying for weeks with no success For anyone still struggling, definitely try that technical support line first thing in the morning. The agent told me they get way fewer calls at that time compared to the main line. She also confirmed that the Way2Go card switchover is a known system issue affecting thousands of people - it's not just us! Don't give up everyone! This thread's strategies really do work if you're persistent and try multiple approaches. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - this community saved my sanity!

This is exactly what I needed to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your success story with the technical support line. I've been stuck in this nightmare for weeks and your detailed breakdown gives me a concrete plan to follow. I'm definitely going to try calling 833-352-7759 at exactly 7:30 AM tomorrow with my claimant ID ready. It's so helpful to know that the Way2Go card switchover is a confirmed system issue affecting thousands - I was starting to think I had somehow messed up my account settings. The fact that you got transferred to a claims specialist who could actually see what happened and fix it gives me real hope. I've been so frustrated not knowing where my payments went, but it sounds like they can track everything once you get to the right person. Did the claims specialist mention anything about how long this Way2Go card issue has been going on? I'm curious if this is a recent glitch or something that's been plaguing the system for months. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience and give the rest of us a roadmap to follow. This community has been such a lifeline during this frustrating process!