One more thing to note - if you're on Extended Benefits or in a DEO-approved training program, different rules might apply. Also, some claimants may qualify for exemptions from work search requirements under specific circumstances (like if you have a verifiable job return date within 8 weeks). If you think you might qualify for an exemption, you should document your situation thoroughly and be prepared to explain during any potential review of your claim. The safest approach is to complete and record your work searches anyway unless you've received explicit confirmation of a waiver from DEO.

I went through this exact same situation a few weeks ago! Here's what worked for me: I called DEO first thing in the morning (around 7:30 AM) and actually got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The representative was understanding and let me submit my work search activities via email for the weeks I had already claimed without them. They gave me a specific email address and format to use. I had to list each job application with: company name, position title, date applied, contact method (online/email/in-person), and any reference numbers from the applications. Even though I hadn't been keeping perfect records, I was able to reconstruct most of it from my email sent folder and browser history. The key is to be proactive about fixing it rather than waiting and hoping they don't notice. My payments resumed normally once they processed the additional information. Good luck getting through to them - persistence really pays off with DEO!

UPDATE: I want to thank everyone for their help! I followed several suggestions: 1) Emailed my state rep with all my info, 2) Used Claimyr to actually reach a DEO agent (finally!), and 3) Uploaded the construction delay documentation from my employer to CONNECT. The agent I spoke with saw that my adjudication was assigned but sitting in a backlog. She escalated it, and my state rep's office also contacted DEO. Got my determination letter yesterday - APPROVED! Payments should be coming in the next few days including all the back weeks. Such a relief!

Congratulations @Jamal Carter on getting your claim approved! Your success story gives me hope for my own situation. I'm currently at week 3 of adjudication hell with DEO and feeling pretty defeated. It's encouraging to see that the combination of contacting your state rep AND using Claimyr actually worked. I've been hesitant to try these third-party services but your experience makes it seem worth it. Did you have to pay for Claimyr or were there any other costs involved? Also, how long did it take your state rep's office to respond? I'm definitely going to try both approaches - thanks for sharing your victory!

Thank you everyone for all the helpful responses! I finally got through to DEO this morning (took about 15 attempts) and found out there was an 'employment verification hold' that wasn't showing up in my account. The agent cleared it and said my payments should process within 48 hours. She also confirmed my Way2Go card was mailed 3 weeks ago, so she's having them send a replacement. Really appreciate all the advice - this system is so confusing for newcomers!

So glad you got it resolved! This is exactly why I always recommend calling when payments are delayed - there are so many backend issues that don't show up on the CONNECT portal. For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation, Amara's experience shows how important it is to be persistent with calling DEO. Those "invisible holds" like employment verification are super common and can only be cleared by speaking with an agent. Keep claiming your weeks while you wait for the replacement card - all those back payments will be there when it arrives!

UPDATE: My regular UI payment just hit my account this morning! Exactly 2 business days after it showed as issued in CONNECT. Now waiting on the $300 federal portion. Such a relief after months of waiting and stressing about bills. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

So happy to see this update! After 5 months of waiting, you definitely deserved some good news. I'm currently in week 3 of adjudication myself and posts like this give me hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel. The DEO system is absolutely broken but at least we have this community to help each other navigate through it. Enjoy finally having some financial relief!

this is y ppl dont report income tbh. system is rigged againt honest people

Ugh, this exact same thing happened to me last year! I did a one-day consulting gig for $125 and it completely wiped out my $200 weekly benefit PLUS the $600 federal payment. Lost $800 total for being honest about $125 in income. The math makes absolutely no sense - you'd think they'd want to encourage people to take on small work opportunities while job searching, but instead the system punishes you for it. I ended up turning down several small freelance jobs after that because I couldn't afford to lose my benefits. It's so backwards and discouraging when you're already struggling financially.