One more important thing: once you start working, don't forget to file your final weeks! You can still claim for the partial week when you start working (just report any wages earned). Many people make the mistake of just stopping their claims once they start working, but you should properly close out your claim by claiming all eligible weeks, even partial ones.

Just wanted to add that you should also keep documentation of your job offer (email, letter, whatever they gave you) in case DEO ever asks for proof during an audit or review. I had a friend who got questioned about a gap in her work search activities and had to provide documentation showing she had accepted employment during that period. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around! Also, make sure your employer knows your expected start date is firm - any changes could affect your benefits eligibility for those weeks.

wait i forgot to say my sister also had to upload some extra documents for her extension that she didnt need for regular benefits! check ur CONNECT inbox!!

I'm currently going through this exact same situation - just exhausted my regular benefits two weeks ago and submitted my extension application. The waiting is absolutely nerve-wracking, especially with bills piling up! From what I've been reading here and my own research, it seems like the timeline really varies. I've been religiously continuing my work searches and claiming my weeks even though I'm not getting paid right now. One thing that's been helpful is setting up alerts in my CONNECT account so I get notified immediately if there are any updates or if they need additional documentation. For anyone else in this boat - I found that keeping a detailed spreadsheet of all my work search activities with dates, company names, and contact info has been really helpful. That way if they ask for verification, I have everything organized and ready to go. The last thing any of us need is a delay because of missing paperwork. Hoping we all get through this process quickly! Will definitely update once I hear back on my extension status.

I bet the problem is your last employer info. My brother had the same issue and it turned out he needed to use the LEGAL company name (like "Walmart Stores East, LP" instead of just "Walmart"). Try looking at your W-2 or paystub for the exact legal name of your last employer. The system tries to match it with their records.

Glad you got it sorted out! For anyone else dealing with similar issues, I've found that the CONNECT system is super picky about data formatting. A few other things that helped me when I had submission problems: make sure there are NO spaces before or after any text you enter (especially email addresses), use only standard keyboard characters (no copy/pasted text that might have hidden formatting), and if you have multiple jobs with the same employer, list them as separate entries with slightly different date ranges rather than trying to combine them. The system seems to handle simple, clean data much better than anything complex. Hope this saves someone else the headache!

tell ur son to check if hes eligible for food stamps while waiting DEO takes FOREVER

Just wanted to add that if your son is still getting errors in CONNECT, try clearing your browser cache and cookies completely, then try a different browser. I had persistent errors that turned out to be browser-related. Also, the system seems to work better early in the morning (like 6-8 AM) when fewer people are trying to use it. One more tip - if he does get approved, make sure he understands the difference between "pending" and "processed" payments. I made the mistake of thinking my weeks were processed when they were just pending, and it caused confusion about when I'd actually receive payment. The whole system is confusing but don't give up!

One more important tip! When submitting your appeal, don't just use the online form - also fax a copy of your appeal letter and evidence to 850-617-6504. I found out they sometimes "lose" online appeals but having a fax creates a paper trail they can't ignore. Get a fax confirmation and keep it as proof of submission.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - they're questioning my availability because I mentioned I volunteer at my church on Sunday mornings. It's incredible how they twist normal life responsibilities into "unavailability for work." One thing I learned from my case worker is that you should frame everything in terms of flexibility. Instead of saying "I can't work Tuesdays" say "I currently have family commitments on Tuesdays but would immediately rearrange these if offered employment." The key is showing you're willing to prioritize work over other obligations. Also, start documenting your job search activities extra thoroughly now. Screenshot every application, save every email response, keep a detailed log with dates and times. This will strengthen your appeal case by proving you're genuinely seeking work despite having one day of family responsibilities. Good luck with your appeal - don't let them intimidate you!