anyone know how long DUA lasts? my brother got it after the hurricane but he said something about it ending soon?

UPDATE: I just wanted to thank everyone for their help! I used Claimyr this morning and actually got through to a DEO agent who was incredibly helpful. She confirmed I'm eligible for DUA since my workplace is still closed due to hurricane damage. I've submitted my application with photos of the damage and a letter from my employer confirming the closure until March. The agent said the work search requirements are definitely waived in my county through the disaster period. Such a relief! The waiting week is also waived for disaster claims. For anyone else in a similar situation, definitely apply for DUA if you're in a declared disaster area!

Yes, they released all my pending payments yesterday! The money hit my account this morning. Such a relief after all this stress. The DEO agent I finally spoke with was actually very helpful and apologetic about the situation. She said their system automatically flags accounts when there are discrepancies, and unfortunately, the fraud department is severely understaffed right now, which is why it takes so long to resolve these issues. \n\nFor anyone dealing with this in the future - definitely utilize all resources available (CareerSource, state representatives, and services that help you reach DEO). Being persistent is key!

So happy for you! I'm still waiting on mine to clear but this gives me hope. Did you have to provide any additional documentation beyond the notarized form?

Quick update - I checked with a friend who works at CareerSource and she confirmed that you should see something called an 'RA Monetary Determination' in your CONNECT account within 5-7 days after receiving that letter. If you don't see it by then, definitely call DEO directly. The transition should be automatic in the system, but sometimes there are glitches that require manual intervention by a DEO agent.

That's so helpful! I really appreciate you checking with your friend. I'll give it a couple more days and then try to get through to a DEO agent if I don't see the new determination. Thanks again for the specific info!

I'm also having a hard time believing this is all FL offers! My sister in Michigan got like 26 weeks! This state really doesn't care about its workers at all!

One thing I recommend doing immediately: make sure you're registered with EVERY staffing agency in your area. Tell them you're available for temp work while you continue your job search. It won't pay as well as your marketing job, but it can help bridge the gap. Also, consider reaching out to your previous employer's HR department - sometimes they can connect you with industry-specific resources or other companies that might be hiring.

UPDATE on my earlier advice: I just learned that if you're working with your state senator's office, make sure to provide them with: 1. Full name as it appears in CONNECT 2. Claimant ID number (not SSN) 3. A brief timeline of your claim (when applied, approved, etc.) 4. Exactly what you're seeing in your account ("On Hold" status) 5. A signed consent form they'll provide allowing them to inquire about your claim This speeds up the process considerably. Their constituent services staff deal with DEO issues all day and know exactly who to contact.

Did you check if you have any "Return to Work" issues? Sometimes DEO thinks you've been offered work and declined it, even if that's not true. It shows up under the "Determinations" tab as "RTW" and can put all payments on hold.

After using Claimyr to get through to DEO, ask specifically for a "claim escalation" and mention the 5-month timeframe. According to Florida regulations, investigations should typically be completed within 90 days unless there are exceptional circumstances. The agent can put in a special request to the adjudication supervisor for claims that exceed that timeframe. Be polite but firm about needing this escalation due to the extreme hardship the delay is causing.

Any luck with the representative or getting through to DEO yet? I'm invested in your situation now and hoping you get resolution soon!

ya i used that claimyr thing when my account got locked after id.me verification. it actually worked. not instant but way better than calling for days straight.

Good that you found the fact finding section! Even if it's due today, submit it anyway with as much documentation as you can. The system usually gives you until 11:59 PM tonight. If you're having trouble uploading documents, try making PDFs that are smaller than 5MB each - the system often rejects larger files. Also, take screenshots of your submission confirmation page as proof you completed it on time. This can be helpful if there's any dispute later about whether you met the deadline.

When my benefits ran out last year, I went through this same thing. To qualify for a new benefit year, you need to have earned at least $3,400 in your base period and have earnings in at least 2 different quarters. The base period is the first 4 of the last 5 completed calendar quarters before you apply. So if you're reapplying now in 2025, they'd look at your earnings from January 2024 through December 2024 (if you're filing in the first quarter). If you haven't worked much during your benefit year, you might not qualify for a new claim. I think they make it confusing on purpose...

Sooo update: I tried calling DEO directly and couldn't get through (surprise), but I did use that Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got to talk to a real agent! She confirmed I don't have enough work history in my base period to qualify for a new claim right now. She said I'd need to work more and earn at least $3,800 before applying again. Feels like I'm stuck in this weird catch-22 where I need a job to get benefits but need benefits while looking for a stable job. Anyway, thanks everyone for your help!

i didnt even know unemployment was taxable lol guess thats why i got that big tax bill last year

One last thing to be aware of: if you can't find your 1099-G or haven't received it by early February, you can call DEO at 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to request a copy or check if it's available online. You'll need your Social Security number and PIN to verify your identity. You can also check if your 1099-G is available in your CONNECT account by logging in and going to "View and Maintain Account Information" then "Determination, Monetary & Issue Summary" and looking for the 1099-G link. They're usually uploaded there before the paper copies are mailed out.

btw did anyone else notice OP said they were FIRED but then says the boss will say "business needs"??? thats technically different things and DEO is super picky about this stuff. if ur employer says one thing and u say another it could trigger an "adjudication" which takes 4ever!!!!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm going to file today. Sounds like it might be cutting it close with the timing, but worth trying. I'll make sure to be clear about the "business needs" reason consistently. And I'll definitely check out that Claimyr service if I run into trouble getting through to DEO. Really appreciate all the help!