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Wait really? That's good to know! Are there any other CareerSource offices that have direct DEO connections like that? I'm in Tampa area.
This is super helpful, thank you for sharing! I'm dealing with the exact same "missing information" notice right now and was starting to panic. I've been trying to call DEO for the past two days with no luck - just endless busy signals. I had no idea CareerSource could actually access the CONNECT system and help with this stuff! There's one about 20 minutes from me, so I'm definitely going to try that tomorrow instead of wasting more time on hold. Did the CareerSource rep give you any kind of documentation or reference number when they fixed it? I want to make sure I have proof that everything was resolved in case DEO tries to pull this again later.
I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now! Been stuck in the ID.me verification loop for 2 weeks and it's absolutely maddening. What's really frustrating is that I can see my ID.me account shows "verified" but CONNECT still won't let me in. One thing I discovered that might help - when you call the DEO number, try pressing 0 immediately when the automated system starts instead of going through all the menu options. Sometimes it bypasses the busy circuits and gets you to a different queue. I managed to get through once using this method, though the agent couldn't help with my specific issue. Also, has anyone tried filing a complaint with the Florida Ombudsman? I'm considering that route if the email and Claimyr suggestions don't work out. The whole system feels designed to exhaust people into giving up, but we can't let that happen when we're entitled to these benefits. Thanks for posting this - it's oddly comforting to know I'm not the only one dealing with this nightmare!
The pressing 0 trick is genius! I never would have thought to try bypassing the menu system like that. I'm definitely going to give that a shot when I call tomorrow morning. And you're absolutely right about the system feeling designed to exhaust people - I've had that exact same thought multiple times over the past few weeks. It's like they're banking on us just giving up and going away. But you're right, we can't let that happen when these are benefits we've earned and are entitled to. I haven't heard of anyone trying the Florida Ombudsman route for DEO issues, but that sounds like it could be worth exploring if all the other suggestions here don't pan out. Let me know how that goes if you end up filing a complaint - it might be useful for others dealing with similar issues. Thanks for sharing the 0 bypass tip and for the solidarity! Sometimes just knowing other people are going through the same frustrating experience helps keep the motivation up to keep fighting through this broken system.
I've been following this thread closely because I'm in almost the exact same situation - multiple ID.me verifications but still locked out of CONNECT. Reading everyone's experiences has been both frustrating (knowing how widespread this is) and helpful (so many good suggestions!). One thing I wanted to add that I discovered through my own research: if you're on social media, try reaching out to @FLDEO on Twitter/X. I've seen several people report that they got faster responses through their social media team than through traditional channels. Post your issue publicly with your claimant ID and ask for help - sometimes the public visibility motivates faster action. Also, for anyone dealing with this, make sure you're checking your spam folder regularly. I almost missed a critical email from DEO because it went to spam, and it contained instructions for completing my account unlock that I never would have seen otherwise. The persistence everyone is showing here is inspiring - this system is clearly broken but we can't let that stop us from getting the benefits we're entitled to. Keep fighting and sharing information like this!
anybody else notice how DEO is quick to process overpayment notices but sooooooo sloooow to process backdates??? funny how that works!!!!
I went through this exact same nightmare last year! My backdate request sat in limbo for 4 months before I finally got it resolved. Here's what ultimately worked for me: 1. Document EVERYTHING - keep records of every call, message, and interaction with DEO including dates and reference numbers 2. File a complaint with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Inspector General at DEO.InspectorGeneral@deo.myflorida.com - they investigate cases where DEO isn't following proper procedures 3. Contact your local Legal Aid office - many have unemployment assistance programs and can advocate for you at no cost 4. If all else fails, file a writ of mandamus in small claims court to force DEO to process your claim (sounds scary but it's actually pretty straightforward) The squeaky wheel gets the grease with DEO unfortunately. You have to make yourself heard through multiple channels. Don't give up - you're entitled to those benefits! Also keep claiming your current weeks while waiting for the backdate so you don't lose any additional benefits.
Wow, this is incredibly comprehensive - thank you so much! I had no idea about the Inspector General complaint option or Legal Aid programs for unemployment issues. I've been keeping detailed records thankfully, but I didn't know about getting reference numbers for everything. The writ of mandamus sounds intimidating but if it comes to that, I'll definitely look into it. I really appreciate you taking the time to lay out all these options. It gives me hope that there are still avenues to pursue beyond just waiting endlessly. I'm definitely going to start with the Inspector General complaint since my request has been pending for over 90 days now.
i had my claim stuck in adjudication for 5 weeks with those same flags. turns out they needed additional proof that i was let go and not fired for cause. had to get a letter from my former boss. call them and ask specifically what theyre waiting for, dont just wait!!
This is excellent advice. 'Ability to work' and 'employment status' flags often require additional documentation beyond what the system initially asks for. Sometimes it's a doctor's note, employer verification, or additional details about your job separation. The system rarely tells you exactly what's missing.
I'm in a similar situation - been waiting 3 weeks on adjudication with "employment status" flags. Reading through these comments has been really helpful, especially learning about the 2024 ID.me settlement (which explains what my coworker was probably talking about). For anyone else dealing with adjudication delays, it sounds like the key takeaway is to call and ask specifically what additional documentation they need rather than just waiting. The system clearly doesn't communicate well about what's actually holding up our claims. @Diego, definitely try calling tomorrow like others suggested. Even if you use a service like Claimyr or call directly, the important thing is getting a human to look at your specific case and tell you exactly what they're waiting for.
Same here! I've been lurking in this community for a while but finally created an account because I'm dealing with the exact same issue - 4 weeks waiting on adjudication with "employment status" and "ability to work" flags. Reading through everyone's experiences has been more helpful than anything I've found on the DEO website. It's frustrating that we all seem to be stuck in the same black hole with no clear communication about what they actually need from us. Definitely going to try calling tomorrow and asking for specifics like everyone suggested. Thanks for all the helpful advice in this thread!
StarSeeker
I've been lurking in this community for months but finally decided to join after reading this thread - you all have given me hope that there's actually a solution to this nightmare! I'm dealing with the exact same missing claim weeks button issue. Been approved since February, got my monetary determination ($285/week), claim shows active, but I've only been able to claim 2 out of 7 weeks because the button just vanishes randomly. What's really frustrating is that I work in IT, so I know this isn't just a "glitch" - there's clearly some backend flag or hold that's triggering this behavior. The fact that multiple people are experiencing identical symptoms tells me this is a systemic issue with how CONNECT handles certain account states. I'm definitely going to follow the advice here and request an appeal hearing to get access to someone who can actually see what's going on behind the scenes. The regular reps have been absolutely useless - I've gotten answers ranging from "try clearing your browser cache" to "the system is just slow today." Meanwhile my rent is due and I'm rationing groceries. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and solutions. This community is literally a lifeline when the actual government system fails us so badly.
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Anastasia Fedorov
•Welcome to the community, StarSeeker! Your IT background actually gives you a huge advantage in understanding that this isn't just random glitches - there's definitely systematic logic behind when these buttons appear and disappear. What you're describing is identical to what so many of us have experienced, and it's validating to hear from someone with technical expertise that this is clearly a backend flag issue. The fact that you've only been able to claim 2 out of 7 weeks with an active claim is exactly the pattern we've all seen. Definitely document everything before your appeal hearing - your IT knowledge will probably help you ask more specific technical questions that might get better answers. When you request the hearing, you might want to mention that you've identified this as a systematic technical issue affecting multiple claimants, not just an isolated problem. Keep us posted on your progress! The more people who successfully navigate this process and share their experiences, the better we can help others who are stuck in the same situation. It's ridiculous that we have to crowdsource solutions to government system failures, but here we are.
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Isaiah Thompson
I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with the exact same issue for the past month - my claim weeks button keeps disappearing even though my claim is active and I have a monetary determination. I've been approved since mid-February but have only been able to claim 4 out of 9 weeks because the system is so unreliable. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening. I had no idea about these "hidden flags" or backend adjudication issues that regular reps can't see. I've called DEO probably 15 times and gotten completely different explanations each time - everything from "technical maintenance" to "your employer hasn't responded yet" (even though my separation was clearly voluntary resignation). @Beatrice Marshall - I'm really hoping your claim button comes back after completing that fact-finding questionnaire! Your update about the appeal hearing finding the hidden issue gives me so much hope. I think I need to request an appeal hearing myself just to get someone who can actually see what's wrong with my account. This whole situation is absolutely maddening. We're not asking for anything unreasonable - just access to benefits we've already been approved for! The fact that a simple button disappearing can block us from our money for months is completely unacceptable. Thank you all for sharing your strategies and keeping each other updated. This community support means everything when the actual system fails us so badly.
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