Based on my experience working with unemployment claims, here's what you should expect: 1. Continue claiming weeks exactly as you have been 2. The system takes 7-14 days to process extension eligibility after regular benefits exhaust 3. You will receive a determination notice in your CONNECT inbox once a decision is made 4. If approved, payments typically begin 1-2 weeks after approval 5. The first payment will include any eligible weeks that occurred during the processing period If you don't see any updates in your CONNECT account after 10 days, I strongly recommend contacting DEO directly. The mainline (1-800-204-2418) is often overwhelmed, but calling right when they open at 7:30am gives you the best chance of getting through. And as others have mentioned, absolutely continue completing and reporting your 5 work search activities each week during this transition period.

Just wanted to add that if you're really struggling financially while waiting for the extension to process, you might want to look into emergency assistance programs in your county. Many local organizations offer rental assistance and food help for people in unemployment transitions. Your local 211 helpline (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with resources in your area. Also, some utility companies have hardship programs that can prevent disconnections while you're waiting for benefits to resume. It's not ideal, but these can help bridge the gap during those stressful waiting weeks.

So glad you got it sorted out! That's exactly what I was hoping would happen when I mentioned Claimyr. The fact that DEO admitted there was a "glitch in their system" is both infuriating and sadly typical - how many people probably missed their hearings because of this same issue? At least now you have everything you need to prepare properly. Make sure to submit those tax forms and pay stubs at least 24 hours before the hearing like the instructions say. Good luck with your appeal!

This is exactly why DEO's system is so broken - "glitches" that prevent people from getting proper notice of their hearings should be unacceptable. I'm glad you were able to get through and get the information you needed, but it's really concerning how many people probably miss these hearings through no fault of their own. For anyone else in this situation, document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of your CONNECT account showing the hearing date, save any emails or correspondence, and if you do get through to someone who admits there was a system error, ask them to email you confirmation of that conversation. This kind of documentation can be crucial if you end up needing to file additional appeals later. The fact that you had to pay a third-party service just to reach your own state agency is ridiculous, but I'm glad it worked out in the end!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of dealing with unemployment denial while already struggling financially is just overwhelming. I went through almost the exact same situation about 8 months ago (also claimed I "voluntarily quit" when I was clearly let go due to "budget cuts"). Everyone here has given amazing advice, but I want to stress one thing: FILE YOUR APPEAL TODAY if you haven't already! Don't wait even one more day. The 20-day deadline is FIRM and they will not make exceptions. A few additional tips from my experience: - When you write your appeal statement, use their exact words against them. If they said "restructuring" in any communications, quote that directly - Print out EVERYTHING related to your termination before it potentially gets deleted from company systems - Keep a simple timeline of events with dates - it really helps during the hearing when the referee asks specific questions The hearing itself was way less scary than I imagined. The referee was professional and fair, and I actually felt like they really listened to my side of the story. I won my case and got full backpay for all the weeks during the appeal process. You can absolutely do this! The fact that you have documentation about "restructuring" puts you in a strong position. Stay organized, tell the truth, and don't give up. Rooting for you! 💪

I just wanted to jump in and add something that saved me during my appeal process - make sure you understand the difference between "voluntary quit" and "discharge" in Florida law. When employers do "restructuring" or "layoffs," that's legally considered a discharge, not a voluntary quit, even if they don't use the word "fired." I'd also recommend looking up Florida Statute 443.101 which defines "misconduct" and "voluntary leaving" - understanding these definitions helped me frame my arguments better during the hearing. The law is actually pretty clear that being let go due to restructuring, downsizing, or elimination of your position does NOT count as voluntarily quitting. One more thing - if you have any performance reviews, commendations, or emails showing you were a good employee, bring those too. It helps establish that you weren't terminated for performance issues. During my hearing, the referee specifically asked about my work history and performance, so having that documentation really helped my credibility. The system can feel overwhelming but remember - you have rights as a worker, and the appeals process exists specifically for situations like yours where the initial determination was wrong. Don't let them intimidate you into not fighting this!

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.

Another option to consider is checking your CONNECT account under "View and Maintain Account Information" then looking for "Correspondence/Documents" - sometimes the 1099-G shows up there as a viewable PDF even if the main tax documents section isn't working. I found mine there last year when the regular tax document link was broken. Also, if you're still having trouble, try clearing your browser cache and cookies before logging in - the CONNECT system is notorious for having browser compatibility issues that cause weird errors when trying to access forms.

Congratulations Harper! So glad you finally got your payments sorted out. Your experience is a perfect example of how broken the DEO system can be, but also shows that persistence pays off. For anyone else reading this thread dealing with similar identity verification issues - Harper's story proves that getting through to an actual agent is usually the only way to resolve these problems. The automated system just can't handle the complexity of these verification mismatches. Thanks for sharing your updates throughout the process - it's really helpful for others going through the same nightmare!

Harper's story is exactly why I always recommend people document everything with DEO claims! Screenshot your CONNECT account regularly, save confirmation emails, and keep a log of every call attempt. The identity verification glitch she experienced is becoming way too common - I've seen at least a dozen similar cases just this month where ID.me completed successfully but didn't sync with CONNECT. It's infuriating that people have to jump through hoops and pay third-party services just to get basic help from a state agency. Glad you persisted Harper and got your money! Your detailed updates will definitely help others recognize the signs of this specific issue.