This whole thread is a masterclass in DEO troubleshooting! @PrinceJoe I'm so relieved you finally got this resolved - 6 weeks of stress over a simple coding error is absolutely insane. The fact that everyone here had to become amateur detectives just to figure out basic claim issues really highlights how broken the system is. I've been dealing with my own adjudication nightmare for 3 weeks now and this thread just motivated me to dig deeper into my claim details instead of just waiting it out. The community support here is incredible - from @Sophie Footman's detailed troubleshooting steps to @Connor Rupert sharing the Claimyr service, everyone actually cares about helping each other navigate this mess. Definitely keeping this thread saved for reference!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm currently on week 4 of adjudication and was getting really discouraged, but seeing @PrinceJoe's success story gives me hope. I just checked my claim status and it also shows "Voluntary Quit" even though I was laid off due to company downsizing. It's crazy how one wrong selection during the application process can cause so much trouble. I'm going to upload my layoff notice tonight and send that message through CONNECT using the exact wording @Sophie Footman suggested. Has anyone else had success with that early morning calling strategy? I'm willing to try anything at this point - my rent is already late and I'm starting to panic about my situation.

Does anyone else think its RIDICULOUS that they make this so confusing?? Like just tell us exactly what to click!!! Why is the Florida unemployment system designed to be so hard to use?? Ugh sorry just needed to vent lol

I went through this exact same situation last month! When you get to the work search section in CONNECT, there should be a question that asks something like "Were you required to conduct work search activities this week?" or similar wording. Since you have the waiver, you'll answer "No" and then it will ask you to select a reason. Look for an option like "Work search requirements waived" or "Exempt from work search requirements." The system will then let you skip entering any job contacts. Just make sure you keep that waiver letter handy in case they ever audit your claim later. The whole process should only take a few extra seconds once you find the right dropdown option. Good luck with your first claim tomorrow!

The same thing happened to my sister a few months ago! Turns out there was some kind of data breach or hack that affected a bunch of accounts. She tried everything - forms, emails, even social media - but nothing worked until she physically went to a CareerSource office. She brought her birth certificate, driver's license, Social Security card, and a recent bank statement. The staff there were really helpful and could see in the system that her security questions had been changed by someone else. They couldn't fix it directly but they were able to escalate it properly and she got a call back from DEO within 2 days. The CareerSource route might be worth trying before paying for Claimyr, especially since you said there's one close to you. Just call ahead to see what documents they recommend bringing - some locations are better equipped to help with these account security issues than others.

I went through this exact nightmare last year! The security questions issue is unfortunately becoming really common - I think there's definitely some kind of security vulnerability they're not being transparent about. Here's what finally worked for me: I went to the CareerSource office in Tampa with every piece of ID I could find (driver's license, passport, birth certificate, Social Security card, utility bill, and even my old W2s). The staff there couldn't directly reset my PIN, but they were able to create a priority case in the system and mark it as a potential fraud/identity theft issue. The key thing is to emphasize that this appears to be fraudulent account access - that gets it escalated much faster than just saying you "forgot" your security questions. I got a call back from a DEO supervisor within 3 business days, and they were able to verify my identity over the phone using information only I would know (like specific dates from my work history). I'd definitely recommend trying CareerSource first since it's free, but if you're running out of time for claiming weeks, the Claimyr route seems to work too based on what others are saying here. The important thing is getting to an actual human who can verify you're the real account holder. Good luck - don't give up! This system is broken but there are ways to get through it.

Thanks everyone for helping me figure this out! I just got off the phone with DEO (waited almost 2 hours) and they confirmed everything. I'm getting both regular unemployment AND Disaster Unemployment Assistance because my layoff was hurricane-related. The agent said the DUA portion ($425/week) will last for a maximum of 26 weeks from the disaster declaration date, while my regular state benefits ($275/week) can continue for up to 12 weeks total depending on the state unemployment rate. She also warned me to keep documenting my work searches and any hurricane-related impacts to avoid future overpayment issues.

Glad you got this sorted out! This is really helpful info for others who might be in the same situation. Just wanted to add - if anyone else reading this thinks they might qualify for DUA but didn't get it automatically, you can still apply separately through the DEO website. There's a specific DUA application form that's different from regular unemployment. The deadline is usually 30 days from the disaster declaration, but they sometimes extend it. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING - your determination letters, payment records, work search logs, and especially any documentation linking your job loss to the hurricane. DEO's computer systems don't always talk to each other properly, so having your own records can save you major headaches if they come back with questions later.

UPDATE: I finally got through to someone who could help! I followed the advice here and: 1. Called at 7:31am Thursday morning 2. Asked specifically for a 'Tier 2 specialist callback' instead of just escalation 3. Mentioned I qualified for expedited hardship review after 3+ months The agent actually took me seriously and transferred me to someone with more authority (not sure if actual supervisor but definitely higher tier). They found the issue - apparently there was a mismatch between my reported wages and what my employer reported, which triggered an automatic hold. They cleared it on the spot and said my payments should process within 3 business days! Thank you all for the help. This forum literally saved me!

Congratulations on finally getting through! Your success story gives me hope. I've been dealing with a similar situation for about 6 weeks now - my claim has been stuck in "pending" status and every rep just tells me it's been escalated. I'm definitely going to try your approach tomorrow morning. Quick question - when you mentioned the expedited hardship review, did you have to provide any specific documentation or proof of hardship, or was the 3+ month wait time enough? Also, did the higher tier person you spoke with give you any kind of case number or reference for the resolution? Thanks for sharing what worked - this community is honestly more helpful than the actual DEO sometimes!