I'm in almost the exact same boat! Just finished a 3-week temp job at a logistics company and need to restart my DEO claim that I paused back in February. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been super helpful - sounds like the key things are: 1. Use "Reopen Claim" not file new since we're in our benefit year 2. Be super accurate with work dates and earnings 3. Select "temporary assignment completed" for separation reason 4. Be prepared for 2-3 weeks in pending while they review The part about keeping documentation is smart too - I saved the email from my temp agency confirming the assignment dates, just in case they need proof it was always meant to be temporary. One question for those who've done this - when you report your temp job earnings during the reopen process, do you enter it week by week or as a total amount? I want to make sure I do this part right since it seems like that's where people run into issues. Thanks for starting this thread @Danielle Campbell - super timely for those of us dealing with temp work situations!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just had a 6-week temp job end (office assistant) and was panicking about whether I could get back on unemployment. This thread is a lifesaver - so helpful to see everyone's real experiences with the process. From reading all the responses, it sounds like the main steps are: 1. Log into CONNECT and select "Reopen Claim" 2. Report all temp job earnings accurately (week by week) 3. Select "temporary assignment completed" as separation reason 4. Be prepared for 2-3 weeks in pending status 5. Start work search activities immediately (5 per week) I filed my original claim in October 2024 so I should still be in my benefit year. Really nervous about the adjudication period since I need income ASAP, but at least now I know what to expect. @Danielle Campbell thanks for posting this - please update us on how your reopen process goes! And @Nolan Carter that Claimyr service you mentioned might be something I look into if mine gets stuck in review too long. Has anyone had success getting through to DEO by phone recently, or is that still nearly impossible?

I'm going through the exact same frustrating experience! Filed in late December 2024 for only 5 weeks after my seasonal retail position ended, found a new job in early February, but I'm STILL waiting on adjudication after 8+ weeks. The $950 I'm owed would have really helped with credit card payments during that employment gap. What's driving me crazy is that this was a completely normal seasonal layoff - happens every January at my old store, totally routine, and my manager even provided a letter confirming it was standard post-holiday workforce reduction. Yet the DEO acts like they need to investigate some major fraud case for my simple 5-week claim! Reading through all these comments has been both helpful and infuriating. It's clear this is a widespread problem affecting tons of people who just needed a small bridge between jobs. I'm definitely going to try the inspector general complaint and state representative contact based on the success stories shared here. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to go to these lengths for such straightforward claims, but if that's what it takes to get the DEO to actually do their job, I'm willing to try anything at this point. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and strategies - at least we're not suffering through this broken system alone!

I'm experiencing the EXACT same situation and it's driving me insane! Filed in January 2025 for only 6 weeks after my nonprofit contract position ended, landed a new job in early March, but I'm still stuck in adjudication hell after 2+ months. The $1,080 I'm owed would have covered rent during that gap period. What makes this even more frustrating is that my case is completely straightforward - contract ended as scheduled, nonprofit provided confirmation letter, I reported new employment immediately. Yet somehow my simple 6-week claim needs the same extensive "investigation" as someone filing for months of ongoing benefits. The logic is completely backwards! Reading all these comments has been both reassuring and infuriating. It's clear the DEO is failing massive numbers of people who just needed small bridge payments between jobs. Based on everyone's success stories, I'm going to contact my state representative AND file an inspector general complaint this week. It's absolutely ridiculous that we need political intervention for such basic claims, but if that's what breaks through this bureaucratic nightmare, I'm all for it. Thanks to everyone sharing their strategies and updates - knowing we're not alone in this broken system helps keep me sane while fighting for what we're rightfully owed!

This whole tier system is incredibly frustrating and honestly feels like psychological warfare against people who are already struggling financially. I've been dealing with DEO for a different issue (identity verification) for 6 weeks now and had no idea about these escalation tiers until reading this thread. The fact that they make you call every 2 weeks just to move up in line is ridiculous - it's like they're deliberately making the process as painful as possible to discourage claims. And requiring people to mention "severe financial hardship" to get priority treatment? What unemployed person isn't experiencing financial hardship?! I'm definitely going to try the state representative route that Jessica mentioned. It's sad that we have to go around the system to get the system to work, but at this point I'll try anything. Cameron, I hope you get to Tier 3 soon and finally get this resolved. Keep us posted on what works!

Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and infuriating. I'm currently on week 6 of adjudication hell over a simple vacation payout issue - they're treating two weeks of accrued vacation pay like it's some complex financial mystery that requires a team of forensic accountants to figure out. What really bothers me is how they've gamified our desperation. Making us call every 2 weeks to "level up" in their tier system feels deliberately designed to exhaust people into giving up. And the fact that we have to use specific magic words like "severe financial hardship" to get basic priority treatment is just cruel. I'm going to try Benjamin's advice about requesting "DEO Merit Staff" when I call next week, and also reach out to my state rep as Jessica suggested. It's ridiculous that we need a multi-pronged approach just to get the benefits we're entitled to, but clearly playing by their hidden rules is the only way to get results. Cameron, thanks for posting this - you've inadvertently created a support group and information sharing hub that's probably more useful than DEO's actual help resources!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just got approved on Monday and claimed my first week yesterday, and like everyone else here, I'm completely lost about when to expect payment. This thread has been absolutely incredible - I've learned more useful information in the last few minutes than I did from hours of trying to figure things out on the CONNECT system. The waiting week policy is such a shock! I had no idea that was even a thing. When you're already struggling financially and finally get that approval notification, finding out you still have to wait even longer for actual money feels pretty devastating. I wish DEO would make this crystal clear upfront instead of leaving people to discover it by accident. Based on everyone's advice here, I'm definitely calling Way2Go tomorrow morning to check if my card has shipped and request expedited delivery. The $15 fee seems totally worth it when bills are piling up. I'm also going to look into local assistance programs while I wait - that's such smart advice that I wouldn't have thought of on my own. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences and practical tips! It's honestly frustrating that we have to rely on community knowledge to understand basic information about our own benefits, but I'm so grateful this support exists. DEO really needs to step up their communication game!

I'm in the exact same situation! Just got approved yesterday and this whole thread has been a lifesaver. I had absolutely no idea about the waiting week policy - that's such crucial information that should be clearly explained upfront, not something you have to stumble upon by accident. When you're already stressed about bills and finally get that approval, finding out there's yet another delay feels pretty crushing. I'm definitely calling Way2Go tomorrow morning to check on my card status and pay for expedited shipping. Based on everyone's experiences here, being proactive seems to be the key rather than just waiting and hoping. The $15 fee is totally worth it when rent is due next week. It's honestly mind-boggling that DEO doesn't provide basic timeline information anywhere in their system. We shouldn't have to piece together critical details about our own benefits from community forums, but I'm so grateful for everyone sharing their real experiences here. This thread has been more helpful than anything on the official website! Thanks to everyone who took the time to help newcomers navigate this confusing process.

I went through this exact same situation last year when I moved from Pennsylvania to Florida for a job that lasted exactly 4 weeks before they "restructured" my position away. It's such a gut punch when you've relocated your entire life for something that falls apart so quickly. Here's what worked for me with the Combined Wage Claim process: 1. File immediately - I cannot stress this enough. Your retroactive payments start from your filing date, so don't delay even if you're still gathering documentation. 2. When you get to the out-of-state employment section on CONNECT, be extremely detailed. I included my exact start/end dates, gross wages, employer contact info, and even my supervisor's name. The more detail you provide upfront, the smoother the verification process goes. 3. Upload everything you have right away - termination letter, Georgia pay stubs, W-2s, your Florida employment documentation, even your job offer letter showing you moved here for legitimate work. Don't wait for them to request specific documents. 4. Start your work search log immediately and be meticulous about it. Florida requires 5 activities per week and they will ask for details if they audit your claim. My claim took about 7 weeks total to process, but I did get all the back pay once approved. The waiting period is nerve-wracking, but based on what you've described, you should definitely qualify. You have legitimate work history from Georgia and your Florida separation was involuntary due to restructuring. Good luck - you've got this!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Moved from North Carolina to Florida in January for what was supposed to be a stable position in finance, only to get let go after 7 weeks because they "overhired" for the department. Based on everyone's advice here, I filed my Combined Wage Claim about 10 days ago and I'm prepared for the long wait. A couple of additional tips I've picked up from my research: - Make sure you answer "yes" to receiving unemployment benefits from another state if you've ever collected them before, even if it was years ago. This can affect your eligibility calculation. - Keep copies of everything you submit through CONNECT. The system sometimes "loses" uploaded documents and you'll want to be able to resubmit quickly. - If you get stuck in "pending" status for more than 6 weeks, consider reaching out to your state representative's office. They sometimes have direct contacts at DEO who can expedite reviews. The uncertainty is definitely stressful, but seeing all these success stories gives me hope. It sounds like as long as you have sufficient wages from your previous state and your separation wasn't voluntary, the Combined Wage Claim process does work - it just takes patience. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. This community is a lifesaver when you're navigating Florida's unemployment system!