Just wanted to add that if your sister does apply and gets approved, she should be prepared for the weekly certification process. You have to log in every two weeks to certify that you're still unemployed and actively looking for work. Florida requires 5 work search contacts per week, and you need to keep detailed records of where you applied, when, and the contact info. Also, even if she qualifies, Florida's unemployment benefits are pretty low compared to other states - maximum is around $275/week for 12 weeks. It's better than nothing but probably won't cover much of her tuition costs. Still worth applying though if she has the work history! One more tip - if she does get benefits, she'll need to report any income from part-time work. Even small amounts can affect her weekly benefit amount, so keep track of everything.

Just to add to what others have said - the work search requirement can actually be helpful for students! When I was on unemployment, I counted things like attending career fairs, networking events, and even informational interviews toward my 5 weekly contacts. Your sister could use this as an opportunity to build her professional network while getting benefits. Also wanted to mention that if she does qualify and gets approved, she should set up direct deposit right away. Paper checks take forever to arrive and can get lost in the mail. The CONNECT system lets you add your bank info during the application process. One last thing - if her claim gets denied initially, don't give up! She has the right to appeal the decision. Sometimes the initial review misses important details about work history or the reason for job separation. The appeals process can take a while but it's worth it if you think the denial was wrong.

went through this last yr... try contacting 211 for emergency assistance programs in your area. also food banks have improved ALOT since covid - many now have fresh food not just canned stuff. churches sometimes help with utility bills too if ur desperate. good luck man the system is broken

Hey Keisha, I went through the exact same thing about 6 months ago. It's really tough when you're counting on those extra weeks that just don't exist anymore. One thing that helped me was signing up for multiple temp agencies - places like Kelly Services, Adecco, and local staffing companies. Even if it's not your ideal job, temp work can bridge the gap while you keep looking for something permanent. Some of my temp assignments actually turned into permanent offers. Also, don't overlook gig work like DoorDash or Uber while you're job hunting - it's not great money but it's something coming in. The combination of SNAP benefits (definitely apply now!) plus some gig income can help you stretch through this period. Hang in there, the job market is brutal right now but you'll find something!

UPDATE: I finally got through to DEO today after using Claimyr (thanks for that suggestion). The supervisor looked at my account and found that my adjudication was actually completed back in JUNE but nobody ever removed the hold flag from my account! She said this happens sometimes when the adjudicator completes the determination but forgets to release the payments. She removed the hold and said I should see all my backpay within 2-3 business days. I'm cautiously optimistic but not celebrating until I see the money in my account. Will update again when/if the payments come through. Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

Wow, that's incredible that your adjudication was actually done months ago but just sitting there with a flag! This really shows how broken their internal systems are. I'm dealing with a similar situation (7 weeks pending after my interview) and this gives me hope that it might just be a simple system error rather than my case actually being stuck in review. Definitely going to try Claimyr this week and specifically ask a supervisor to check if my adjudication is complete but the hold wasn't removed. Fingers crossed for your backpay - please keep us posted!

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!

Isabella, I'm so glad you asked this question before making that mistake! Your friend gave you absolutely terrible advice that could have ruined your claim. I work in workforce development and see people mess this up all the time. Florida Statute 443.091 is very clear - you MUST actively seek work unless you qualify for a specific exemption. When you answer "no" to that work search question, the system automatically flags your claim for investigation. Your payments stop immediately and won't resume until you prove you had a valid reason for not searching. Most people wait 4-8 weeks minimum for resolution, and that's IF they can prove their exemption. Since you mentioned being behind on rent, the last thing you want is your benefits suspended. Keep doing those 5 work searches each week - it's annoying but it's the law. And always keep documentation of your job search activities in case DEO audits you later!

That's fantastic news! I'm so glad the technical terminology helped you get connected to the right department. It's really frustrating how many DEO representatives aren't familiar with these cross-system issues, but once you reach someone who understands the ID.me integration problems, they can usually resolve it quickly. Thanks for following up - this thread will definitely help others who run into the same email mismatch nightmare. The key really is knowing the right words to use when you call!

Just wanted to add another option that worked for me when I had this same email mismatch issue a few months ago. If you're still having trouble after trying the other suggestions, you can also try logging into ID.me directly (not through the DEO portal) and look for the "Account Settings" or "Personal Information" section. There's usually an option to update your primary email address. After you make the change, ID.me will send a verification email to your new address that you need to click to confirm. Once that's done, give it 24-48 hours before trying to log into CONNECT again. The systems don't sync immediately, which is why the delay is important. I know it's frustrating to wait when you need access to your benefits, but this method avoided me having to call anyone and worked without any additional fees or services.