When I had issues last month I actually had better luck with the email than phone. Try DEOUICustomerCareReps@deo.myflorida.com and put your claimant ID and "URGENT" in the subject line. They got back to me in 3 days. Better than never getting through on phone!

This is so encouraging to hear! I've been stuck in pending status for over a month now and was starting to lose hope. Question - when you called on Saturday, did you use the main DEO number (833-FL-APPLY) or a different one? Also, did they tell you specifically what was wrong with your work search entries? I'm wondering if I might have the same issue since my claim has been pending since I started submitting my work searches. Thanks for sharing this - gives me hope that there might be light at the end of this tunnel!

One more tip that saved me - when you submit your appeal and waiver request, also send a physical copy by certified mail to the DEO Appeals Office. I know it seems redundant, but their online system sometimes has glitches and doesn't properly timestamp submissions. Having that certified mail receipt gives you backup proof of when you filed within the 20-day deadline. The mailing address is: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Appeals Office 107 E. Madison Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-4143 Also, don't forget to include a cover letter explaining that you're submitting both an appeal of the overpayment determination AND a request for overpayment waiver. Be very clear about which forms and documents relate to each request. You've got this! The fact that you kept screenshots shows you were being responsible about reporting - that's going to work in your favor.

I went through this same nightmare last year! DEO sent me an overpayment notice for $4,800 claiming I didn't report my part-time work correctly, but I had reported every penny. Here's what worked for me: First - breathe! You're going to get through this. The screenshots you saved are going to be your lifeline. I submitted both the appeal AND the waiver request simultaneously (like others mentioned, these are separate processes). For the financial hardship documentation, I included everything - rent receipts, grocery bills, childcare costs, medical expenses, utility bills. Don't be embarrassed about showing your financial struggles - it's literally what they need to see. What really helped me was writing a detailed timeline of exactly what I reported each week, with dates and amounts. I cross-referenced this with my bank statements and screenshots to show there were no discrepancies on my end. The whole process took about 2 months, but my waiver was approved and I didn't have to pay back a cent. The key is being thorough with your documentation and meeting every single deadline they give you. Start your appeal TODAY - don't wait even one more day. You've got a strong case since you were diligent about reporting and have proof!

Hey Alice, I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare right now! My account got locked yesterday and I've been going in circles trying to reach someone. Thanks to everyone who shared their tips - I had no idea about the phone claiming option or contacting state reps. One thing that might help while you're waiting: I found that the DEO website has a "Contact Us" form under the Help section that's separate from the account unlock form. I submitted it yesterday explaining my situation and got an automated response saying they'll get back to me within 3-5 business days. Not ideal timing but it's another avenue to try. Also, make sure you're checking your email (including spam folder) regularly. Sometimes they send unlock instructions or requests for additional info via email instead of showing anything in the system. Keep us posted on what works for you - this community is honestly more helpful than DEO customer service! 🤞

I'm so sorry you're going through this Alice! The DEO system is absolutely maddening and you're definitely not alone. I went through the same thing about 6 weeks ago and it took me almost 2 weeks to get resolved. A few things that might help based on my experience: 1. For the lock date on the form - just put your best guess, even if it's today's date when you first noticed. They really don't verify this against anything, it's just for their internal tracking. 2. Try calling the DEO Reemployment Assistance Customer Service line at (850) 245-7105 instead of the main number. It's their Tallahassee office direct line and sometimes has shorter wait times, especially mid-week around 2-3pm. 3. Document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of error messages, keep records of when you called, etc. If this drags on, you might need to file a complaint with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Inspector General. 4. Most importantly - don't let this stop you from claiming your weeks! You can claim by phone even with a locked account, and you can also request backdating later if you miss deadlines due to their technical issues. The whole system is designed to be frustrating, but hang in there. You WILL get this resolved! Keep us posted on what works for you.

Emails to employers can count as work search activities, but you need documentation. Each work search contact should include: 1. Date of contact 2. Method of contact (email, online application, in-person, etc.) 3. Company name, address, and phone number 4. Name of person contacted (if possible) 5. Type of work sought 6. Result of contact CareerSource workshops and job fairs also count toward your work search requirements. I recommend mixing different types of activities rather than just doing emails. And save everything - screenshots of applications, copies of emails, etc. DEO can request proof up to a year later.

Congratulations on getting through the system! Your success story gives me hope. I've been dealing with the same exact issues for the past week - constant freezing and logouts. I'm going to try your approach tomorrow morning at 5:30 AM with Chrome incognito mode. Quick question - when you say don't use autofill, does that include the browser asking to save passwords, or just the form completion stuff? I want to make sure I do this right on my first early morning attempt since getting up that early is going to be rough for me!

So glad to see your update that the money finally came through! This is exactly why I always tell people to expect 3-5 business days after it shows "processed" - especially around holidays. The DEO really needs to be more transparent about these timing delays. I've been helping people navigate unemployment issues for years and this confusion about payment timing comes up constantly. At least now anyone who finds this thread will know what to expect!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my payment just switched to "processed" yesterday and I'm anxiously waiting for it to hit my account. Reading everyone's experiences here is really reassuring. It's crazy how the DEO system doesn't explain any of this timing stuff clearly. Like, would it kill them to add a simple note that says "allow 2-4 business days for direct deposit after processing, longer during holidays"? Would save so much stress and probably thousands of phone calls to their already overwhelmed call center. Anyway, thanks to everyone sharing their timelines - gives me hope that my payment will show up by Friday!