This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's amazing how much collective wisdom there is here about navigating the CONNECT system. For anyone new to unemployment benefits like I am, the key takeaways seem to be: 1) Set multiple reminders for claiming dates, 2) Wait 24-48 hours after reactivation before panicking, 3) Take screenshots for documentation, 4) Call DEO right at 7:30 AM if you need to speak with someone, and 5) Have all your info ready before calling. It's reassuring to see that the system, while frustrating, usually does work out for people who miss by just a few days. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this kind of peer support makes dealing with government bureaucracy so much less stressful!

This thread is incredibly valuable! As someone who went through a similar panic when I missed my claiming window by 5 days last year, I can definitely confirm that the 24-48 hour wait after reactivation is crucial. In my case, I was frantically calling DEO for hours before someone on a forum like this told me to just wait it out. Sure enough, the weeks appeared automatically after about 36 hours. One additional tip I'd add: if you're prone to forgetting dates like I am, consider linking your claiming schedule to something you already do regularly - like payday at a previous job, or a monthly bill due date. I now claim my weeks the same day my rent is due, so I never forget either one! Also, the CONNECT mobile app does send push notifications if you enable them, which can be a helpful backup reminder system. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here - it's posts like these that helped me through my own stressful situation, and it's awesome seeing the community pay it forward!

Congratulations on landing the job! Just to add one more perspective - I went through this same situation about 6 months ago and everything worked out fine following the advice others have given here. The key things that helped me were: 1) Keep doing ALL 5 work searches every week until July 5th (I know it feels pointless but DEO doesn't care), 2) Answer YES when they ask about accepting work and put your start date, 3) Still answer YES to being available for work until you actually start. I was paranoid about messing something up so I also called the employer to double-confirm my start date a week before starting. The transition from UI to regular paychecks went smoothly and I didn't lose any benefits I was entitled to. You're in the home stretch - just keep following the same routine for 3 more weeks!

I went through this exact same situation last fall! One thing I want to emphasize that others have touched on - make absolutely sure you understand the difference between "accepting a job offer" and "starting work" when filling out your weekly claims. DEO considers you unemployed until your actual first day of work, not when you accept the offer. I made the mistake of overthinking this and almost talked myself out of claiming benefits I was entitled to. Also, if your new employer offers any pre-employment activities (like orientation, paperwork, drug testing, etc.) before your official start date, those usually don't count as "work" unless you're being paid for them. Just keep doing exactly what you've been doing - the 5 work searches, weekly claims, staying available - until July 5th. The system is set up to handle this transition period, even though it doesn't feel very intuitive! Best of luck with the new job!

UPDATE: I finally got my 1099-G! For anyone else struggling, here's what worked for me: 1. I tried clearing my cache and using a different browser - no luck 2. Sent an email to TaxDocuments@deo.myflorida.com with my info as suggested 3. After 3 days with no response, I used the Claimyr service mentioned above to get through to DEO 4. The agent was able to email me the 1099-G while on the phone The form shows I received $4,625 in benefits with $462 in federal taxes withheld. Just wanted to update in case anyone else runs into the same issue. Thanks everyone for your help!

Great to hear you got it sorted out! Your experience highlights exactly why this process is so frustrating for people. It shouldn't take multiple attempts and different methods just to get a basic tax document. For future reference for anyone reading this thread, if you're collecting unemployment benefits, I'd recommend downloading/printing your 1099-G as soon as it becomes available (usually by January 31st) rather than waiting until you need it for filing. Save yourself the headache later! Also, for those who might be in a similar situation next year - you can actually request to have federal taxes withheld from your unemployment benefits when you first apply or anytime during your claim. It's 10% of your benefit amount and can save you from owing a big chunk at tax time.

For anyone still experiencing this issue, I recommend checking your CONNECT account under "Payment History" and look for the exact timestamp of when it shows "Processed and Paid." If it's showing a Friday timestamp but you're still missing the deposit, it's likely caught in the system-wide delay that Caleb mentioned. I went through this same situation two weeks ago and my payment took 4 business days to actually hit my account even though CONNECT showed it as deposited immediately. The frustrating part is that the system shows "deposited" when it really means "approved for deposit" - there's still processing time on the backend. Hang in there, the money should come through within the 3-5 day window they mentioned in the system alert.

Just wanted to share my experience from last month - I had this exact same issue where CONNECT showed "Processed and Paid" on a Friday but the money didn't hit my account until the following Wednesday. What helped me was screenshotting the payment status in CONNECT showing it was processed, which I used to explain the delay to my landlord. Also, if you're really in a bind financially, some banks will give you a temporary overdraft extension if you show them proof that a deposit is coming. The DEO system is definitely confusing with how it displays payment status - "deposited" really should mean the money is in your account, not just that it's been approved for processing!

I went through this exact nightmare 6 months ago and I feel your pain! Here's what finally worked for me: Call Way2Go at 1-833-888-2780 right when they open at 7am (set multiple alarms), and when you get through, immediately ask to speak to a supervisor about an "emergency expedite due to financial hardship." Have your CONNECT confirmation number, SSN, and current address ready. The supervisor was able to overnight my card for $20 (deducted from benefits) and I had it the next day. Also, while you're on hold (which will be forever), use that time to call your local CareerSource office as backup - they sometimes have emergency protocols for situations like yours. I know it's incredibly stressful having your money just sitting there inaccessible, but don't give up! Document every call with reference numbers and keep pushing until someone helps you. The system is broken but there are ways through it. You've got this!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the stress of having your benefits approved but not being able to access them is absolutely brutal! I went through something similar a few months ago and here's what I learned: Call Way2Go at 1-833-888-2780 at exactly 7:00 AM when they open (literally set your alarm for 6:59). Ask immediately for a supervisor and use the phrase "emergency expedite due to financial hardship" - they take this more seriously than just saying you need it fast. Have your CONNECT ID, SSN, full name, and current mailing address written down before you call. The supervisor can overnight it for around $20-25 which gets deducted from your benefits. Also double-check that your address in CONNECT exactly matches what's on file with Way2Go - even small differences can cause major delays. While you're waiting on hold, try downloading the Way2Go app and see if you can register your account even without the physical card - sometimes you can at least see that your funds are loaded. Hang in there, the system is absolutely broken but you WILL get your money!