One more important thing - if you're on Extended Benefits or any special program (not regular Reemployment Assistance), double-check the specific requirements for your program. Some have different work search rules. You can see which program you're on in the "Program Type" field when you log into CONNECT.

Just wanted to add that I've been on unemployment for 6 months now and can confirm the 5 work search requirement is definitely back in full effect. What really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet to track everything - date, company name, position applied for, method of contact, and any follow-up. I also take screenshots of online applications showing the confirmation page. DEO audited me last month and having everything organized made it super easy to provide the documentation they requested. Don't stress too much about it, just stay consistent with your 5 searches each week and keep good records!

I heard they might be passing a new relief bill next month but who knows if it'll happen. Politicians keep arguing while we're all struggling to pay bills. This whole situation is so stressful.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to share what I learned after weeks of confusion. The federal supplements (both the $600 FPUC and later $300 extension) have ended, so we're only getting the state maximum of $375/week now. What helped me was creating a strict budget and immediately applying for other assistance programs. I got approved for SNAP benefits which covers about $200/month in groceries, and I'm waiting to hear back on rental assistance through my county. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're documenting every single job application for your work search requirements - I keep a spreadsheet with company names, positions, dates, and contact info. The uncertainty about new federal programs is frustrating, but focusing on what assistance is actually available right now has helped me manage until hopefully something new gets passed.

So glad you got it fixed! Just FYI it usually takes 24-48 hours for the verification to be processed by DEO after you complete it with ID.me. Don't panic if your claim still shows "on hold" tomorrow.

This thread is so helpful! I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - back of ID scans fine but front camera won't initialize. Going to try the suggestions about closing other apps that might be using the camera. It's crazy how these tech issues always seem to happen when you're already stressed about money. Really appreciate everyone sharing their solutions here!

@OP regarding your question about part-time work - yes, that could potentially help you qualify for a new claim when your benefit year ends. To qualify for a new claim, you need to have earned wages in at least 2 quarters of your base period (which will be the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply). You also need to have earned at least $3,800 total during your base period. Keep all your pay stubs and employment information - you'll need it when filing a new claim. And for what it's worth, while Florida's system is frustrating, the DEO website has improved a bit since 2020-2021. The information is there, just not always easy to find. Always check both the main CONNECT dashboard AND your inbox for important updates about your claim status and remaining benefits.

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me - if you're worried about missing important notifications from DEO, make sure to check your spam/junk email folder regularly. I almost missed my benefit exhaustion notice because it went to spam! Also, the CONNECT mobile app sometimes shows notifications that don't appear on the desktop version, so it's worth checking both. And definitely keep screenshots of your monetary status page showing your remaining benefits - I've heard of people having issues where the numbers changed unexpectedly and having documentation helped when they had to call DEO to sort it out.

Quick question - does anyone know if we can download that payment history as a spreadsheet or PDF? I tried looking but couldn't figure it out.

Just wanted to add that if you're still having trouble finding your payment history, try clearing your browser cache and cookies for the CONNECT site first. I had issues where certain sections wouldn't load properly until I did that. Also, the payment history sometimes takes a few seconds to load completely, so don't click away too quickly if it looks blank at first. The system can be really slow during peak hours (usually Monday mornings and around 5pm when everyone gets off work).