That's awesome that it worked out so smoothly for you! Quick tip - I'd recommend keeping a spreadsheet or notebook to track all your work searches with dates, company names, and method of contact. The DEO can request proof at any time and having everything organized will save you major headaches if they audit you. Also, make sure you're reporting your work searches correctly in CONNECT each week - don't just put "online application" for everything. Be specific about what you did (applied online, called, visited in person, etc.). Good luck with your job search!

Just wanted to add something that might help others in similar situations - if your restaurant/business is permanently closing, make sure you get some kind of written documentation from your employer about the closure date and reason. Even just an email or text from your manager can be helpful if DEO questions your separation later. When I went through a similar situation with a retail store closing, DEO asked me to provide proof that it wasn't a voluntary quit. Having that documentation made the whole process much smoother and helped avoid any delays in my benefits. Also, don't forget that if you have any unused vacation or sick pay that gets paid out, you'll need to report those wages for the weeks they cover - even though the business is closed, those payments still count as wages for unemployment purposes.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 6 weeks of pending adjudication with zero explanation. Reading through these comments gives me some hope though! I'm definitely going to try the secondary number (833-352-7759) that Sebastian mentioned, and maybe look into Claimyr if that doesn't work. One thing I wanted to add - I've been documenting every single call attempt with dates and times in a spreadsheet. My friend who works in legal said this could be helpful if I need to escalate to a formal complaint later. Might be worth doing if you haven't already. Also, have you tried checking if there are any local legal aid organizations that help with unemployment issues? I found one in my area that offers free consultations for people stuck in the system. They might know additional tricks or have connections we don't. Thanks for posting this - it's oddly comforting to know I'm not alone in this nightmare!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the DEO system is absolutely broken. I went through almost the exact same thing last year (3 months of calling with no success). What finally worked for me was a combination approach: 1. Used the Spanish line trick (call at 7:29am, select Spanish, ask for English when connected) 2. Called my state senator's office AND representative's office on the same day - sometimes one is more responsive than the other 3. Filed a complaint with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Inspector General's office online The IG complaint seemed to trigger something because I got a call back within a week from someone who could actually help. They have a form on their website specifically for CONNECT system issues. Also, make sure you're checking your CONNECT account for any "correspondence" that might not show up in notifications. I had a critical document request buried in there that I almost missed. Don't give up - you WILL get through eventually. The $4,250 is worth fighting for. Document everything like others suggested, and try multiple approaches at once rather than just one at a time. Good luck!

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through this exact situation a few months ago. After I got my new job, I was paranoid about doing everything correctly with DEO, so I actually called them to confirm the process (took forever to get through, of course). The rep told me exactly what everyone here is saying - just stop claiming weeks after your final accurate claim and that's it. No need to notify them separately or formally close anything. Your claim will show as "inactive" in the system but stays available for the full benefit year if needed. The key is making sure you're 100% honest about your work and earnings on that last claim to avoid any overpayment issues down the road. DEO is notorious for coming after people months later if there are discrepancies. Sounds like you handled it correctly though - congrats on the new job and hopefully you won't need to deal with DEO again anytime soon!

Congrats on landing the new job after 4 months! That's awesome news. You're doing everything right - just stop claiming weeks after accurately reporting that final week and you're all set. No formal closure needed with DEO. I went through this same situation last year and was worried about the same things you mentioned. The system will show your claim as inactive but it stays open for the full benefit year from when you originally filed, which is actually helpful if anything unexpected happens with your new role. The most important thing is that you were honest about your earnings on that last claim - that prevents any overpayment headaches later. DEO's website really doesn't explain this process clearly at all, which is why so many people get confused about it. You handled it correctly though, so you should be good to go. Best of luck with the new retail management position!

I feel your frustration! I've been dealing with similar issues trying to reach unemployment services. One thing that's helped me is calling multiple times throughout the day - sometimes you get lucky and hit a less busy period. Also, if your bank has a local branch, try going in person even if they initially tell you to call. Sometimes being physically present makes them more willing to help or at least escalate your issue. Keep a detailed log of your attempts too - dates, times, how long you waited - it can be useful if you need to file a complaint later. Hang in there! 💪

I've been in the exact same situation and it's incredibly frustrating! One trick that finally worked for me was calling right at 8:00 AM on the dot when they open - I literally had my finger hovering over the call button and hit it the second the clock hit 8. Also, try the "callback" option if they have one - some banks will hold your place in line and call you back instead of making you wait on hold. If all else fails, try reaching out through their mobile app's chat feature or secure messaging. Sometimes those channels have shorter wait times than the phone lines. Don't give up - I know it's exhausting but you'll eventually get through! 🤞

I'm new to this community but unfortunately not new to CONNECT issues! I've been dealing with similar password reset problems for the past few weeks. What's really helped me is keeping a bookmark to the direct password reset page (connect.myflorida.com/Claimant/Core/Login.ASPX) instead of going through the main login page - sometimes the "Forgot Password" link on the main page doesn't work properly but the direct URL does. Also, if you're still having trouble, try clearing ALL your browser data (not just cache) including cookies and saved passwords. The CONNECT system seems very sensitive to stored login data. I had to do this three times before it finally let me reset my password successfully. Hope this helps someone avoid the frustration I went through!

As someone who just joined this community after dealing with my own CONNECT nightmares, I wanted to share another potential solution that worked for me last week. If the password reset email isn't coming through, check your spam/junk folder first (I know, obvious, but sometimes we forget!). But more importantly, I discovered that CONNECT sends emails from "noreply@connect.myflorida.com" and many email providers automatically block or filter these. I had to manually add this address to my email's safe sender list, then request the password reset again. The email came through within 10 minutes after that! Also, make sure you're using the email address that's EXACTLY as it appears in your CONNECT profile - even an extra space or different capitalization can cause the system to not recognize it. It's ridiculous how finicky this system is, but hopefully this helps someone avoid the runaround with phone calls and office visits!