fyi if anyone else needs this in the future... i found out u can actually print all ur work search info from connect by going to determination&pendingissues tab then theres a link at the bottom for work search history report. gives u everything in 1 pdf

Just wanted to add that I went through something similar a few months ago. Had a wrong date on one of my work search entries and was panicking about my fact finding interview. Turns out they barely even looked at the specific details - they were more interested in seeing that I had consistently been applying to jobs and could show proof of my efforts. I brought screenshots of job applications, emails from employers, and even a handwritten log I kept as backup. The interviewer was actually pretty understanding when I mentioned the date error upfront. The whole thing took maybe 15 minutes and I got approved. My advice: be honest about any mistakes, bring documentation, and don't stress too much about minor errors. They're looking for people who are genuinely trying to find work, not perfect data entry!

One more thing to keep in mind - DEO sometimes conducts random audits of work search activities. If you say yes but haven't actually done the searches, and you get audited, you could end up with an overpayment notice for all benefits received. That means paying everything back plus possible penalties. So always be truthful and keep records of your job searches for at least a year after your claim ends.

Just want to emphasize what everyone else is saying - DO NOT answer "no" to the work search question! I learned this the hard way when I first started claiming. I thought maybe I could skip it one week when I was really busy, and my benefits got suspended immediately. It took 6 weeks and multiple phone calls to get it resolved. Florida is really strict about this requirement. The 5 work searches per week might seem tedious, but it's so much better than dealing with the nightmare of getting your claim back on track. Trust me, just do the searches and keep detailed records. Your future self will thank you!

Good news: just saw you found out it's in adjudication for separation verification. That's actually fixable! Call the employer verification department directly at 877-846-8770 instead of the main DEO line. They're typically less busy. Tell them you need to verify if your former employer has responded to the separation verification request. Sometimes employers don't respond, which causes delays. If it's been over 10 days since they contacted your employer, ask for them to escalate it for non-response.

I went through something very similar last year and know how hopeless it feels. A few additional tips that helped me: 1) Document EVERYTHING - screenshot your claim status daily, keep records of all calls/times you tried calling. This helped when I finally got through. 2) If you're on Facebook, join the "Florida Unemployment Help" group - they post daily updates about which DEO numbers are working and share real-time tips. 3) For immediate food help, check if your area has a Feeding Tampa Bay or similar food bank - they often have emergency boxes available same-day. 4) Contact your local 211 office AND your county's emergency services department - many counties have rapid response funds for people facing eviction. Don't give up - I know it's torture but your benefits ARE coming. The system is broken but you will get through this.

Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get through using any of these methods? I'm curious which one worked for you.

That's fantastic news! I'm so happy the CareerSource route worked for you. It's amazing how they were able to identify the specific issue with your Tennessee wage transcript and get it resolved so quickly. This is exactly the kind of success story that gives hope to others struggling with the same system. Thanks for following up to let everyone know what worked - I'm sure future people finding this thread will really appreciate knowing that CareerSource can be the key to breaking through DEO's phone wall!

Great news! This is exactly why persistence matters with DEO. So many claims get stuck on simple issues that could be fixed in minutes if you can just reach the right person. Make sure you check your CONNECT inbox daily for the next week in case they need any additional info.

Wow, reading through everyone's experiences here really shows how broken the DEO system is. I'm dealing with something similar - been trying to reach someone about my claim status for over a week now. The automated system keeps hanging up on me after I make my selections, and when I do get through, I get transferred to departments that can't access my account. It's like they designed this system to make us give up. Thanks for sharing all these tips about timing, menu options, and alternative approaches. Going to try the 7:30am call with the 5-2 option sequence tomorrow. Really appreciate this community helping each other navigate this mess!