I'm so sorry you're going through this stress - the countdown to your last payment week is terrifying, I know. But honestly, after reading through all the incredible advice in this thread, I'm actually feeling hopeful for you! This community has basically created the ultimate survival guide for Florida's brutal 12-week system. Your action plan for tomorrow is solid: CareerSource first (ask specifically about RESEA program and training benefits), then temp agencies for immediate placement, call 2-1-1 for emergency assistance, and start applying for SNAP/other programs now since they take weeks. The remote customer service companies everyone mentioned could be perfect - many can get you started within days. One thing I'd add: when you revamp your resume tonight with keywords from job postings, also create a "quick apply" version that's mobile-friendly since many of these immediate-hire positions (temp agencies, gig work, etc.) are often applied for on phones. You went from having no plan this morning to having like 20 different concrete strategies. The combination of your proactive attitude, customer service experience, and all these resources puts you in a much stronger position than you probably realize. This is scary but temporary - you're going to get through it! Keep us posted on how tomorrow goes. With everything you're armed with now, I have a feeling you'll find multiple opportunities opening up. This community is rooting for you!

I'm really heartbroken reading about your situation, but also incredibly inspired by this community's response! As someone who's been through Florida's brutal unemployment system myself, I know exactly how terrifying it is when you're down to that last week of benefits. One resource I haven't seen mentioned yet that was a lifesaver for me: check with your local Salvation Army and Catholic Charities offices. They often have emergency rental assistance funds that can be approved much faster than county programs - sometimes within 48-72 hours. They also frequently have connections to employers who specifically want to hire people getting back on their feet. Also, since you mentioned customer service experience, look into insurance companies like Progressive, GEICO, and State Farm - they're constantly hiring for claims processing and customer service roles, and many offer same-week starts with paid training. The pay is usually better than retail too. The advice about tailoring your resume with ATS keywords is spot-on - that could be exactly why you're not getting callbacks despite 60+ applications. Tonight, pick 5-10 jobs you really want and customize your resume for each one using their exact terminology. Tomorrow's going to be a busy day of calls, but with CareerSource training programs, temp agencies, emergency assistance through 2-1-1, and all these job search strategies, you have an incredible toolkit now. You're being so smart by planning ahead instead of waiting until the money runs out. Keep us posted - this whole community is rooting for you!

I'm having the exact same problem! This is my first week trying to file and I was completely panicking thinking I'd somehow messed up my account setup. Been trying since 7am with no luck - just getting error after error. It's actually really comforting (though still super frustrating) to see that this is a widespread issue and not something I did wrong. I was about to drive to the local CareerSource office thinking maybe I needed help in person! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and the helpful tips about screenshots and trying different browsers. Definitely going to bookmark this community - seems like having other people who understand the system is invaluable when you're new to all this. Fingers crossed it's back up soon!

I'm dealing with the same issue! This is actually my first time experiencing a CONNECT outage since I just started filing claims two weeks ago. I've been trying to log in since about 7:45am and keep getting that "Service Unavailable" error. I was getting really worried that something was wrong with my account or that I'd missed some important step in the process. It's both frustrating and relieving to see that this is affecting everyone - at least I know it's not something I did wrong! Reading through everyone's experiences here has been so helpful. I had no idea these outages were this common or that there were strategies like taking screenshots and trying different browsers. Definitely going to start doing that going forward. I tried calling the phone line but couldn't get through after an hour of waiting. Going to keep checking back throughout the day and hope it comes back up soon. Thanks everyone for sharing your tips - this community seems like such a valuable resource for navigating all the quirks of the Florida unemployment system!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my balance is almost gone but my benefit year doesn't end until August. From what I've learned after calling around and researching, Florida really does only give you that initial lump sum amount and that's it. No extensions, no refills. It's pretty harsh compared to other states. One thing I'd suggest is checking if you qualify for any other assistance programs through ACCESS Florida while you're job hunting - things like SNAP benefits or emergency assistance. Also, make sure you're using all the free job search resources like Indeed, LinkedIn, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's job portal. The hospitality industry here does have a lot of turnover so new positions open up frequently. Keep your head up and definitely keep filing those weekly claims even with $0 - better to stay in the system just in case anything changes!

I went through this exact same situation when I moved here from Colorado last year! Florida's unemployment system is definitely a shock compared to other states. One thing that really helped me was setting up job alerts on multiple platforms (Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter) so I was getting notifications immediately when new hospitality positions were posted. Since you mentioned you have interviews lined up, that's a great sign! The Florida job market can be tough but hospitality management roles do come up regularly, especially with the tourism industry here. Also, if you're open to it, some of the major hotel chains and resorts offer decent signing bonuses right now due to staffing shortages. Keep filing those weekly claims even after your balance hits zero - it maintains your active status in the system and shows continuous unemployment if you need it for any future applications or assistance programs. You've got this!

As someone who recently went through the whole unemployment process in Florida, I just want to say how refreshing it is to see someone being this proactive about understanding the requirements! You're absolutely doing the right thing by asking these questions upfront. I wanted to add one thing I haven't seen mentioned yet - if you have any professional certifications related to restaurant management (ServSafe, food safety, alcohol service, etc.), make sure to include those in your job applications and mention them when networking. Document renewing or obtaining new certifications as work search activities too - "completed online food safety certification course to enhance qualifications" totally counts. Also, since you mentioned being stressed about the process - that anxiety is completely normal! I remember feeling overwhelmed when I first started, but having a solid tracking system (like everyone's recommended) and staying organized really does make it manageable. The restaurant industry connections you already have are going to be your biggest asset. One last tip: if you're comfortable with social media, updating your LinkedIn profile and engaging with hospitality industry groups there can count as networking activities. Just make sure to document it properly - "updated LinkedIn profile and engaged with [specific group name] regarding management opportunities." You're going to do great with this process. The fact that you're asking these detailed questions shows you're taking it seriously, and that preparation will definitely pay off!

As a former restaurant manager myself, I completely understand the stress you're feeling right now! I went through this exact same process about 18 months ago when our location unexpectedly closed. Here's what I wish someone had told me from day one: **treat your job search like a part-time job with specific hours and goals**. I blocked out 9am-1pm Monday through Friday for job search activities, which made it feel more structured and less overwhelming. For restaurant management specifically, don't forget about these often-overlooked opportunities: - Corporate training positions (many restaurant chains need trainers with real management experience) - Food service consulting roles - Hotel F&B management positions - Retirement community dining directors The hospitality recruiting firms others mentioned are gold - I got my current position through a recruiter who specialized in restaurant management. Also, reach out to your state restaurant association - they often have job boards and networking events that can count toward your work search requirements. One practical tip: I kept a small voice recorder app on my phone and would record quick notes immediately after any job-related conversation ("Just spoke with Maria at Downtown Bistro about their GM opening, she said to follow up next week"). Then I'd transcribe these into my tracking spreadsheet that evening. The documentation really is crucial - I got audited about 8 months into my claim and having everything organized made it painless. You're already on the right track by asking these questions early. The restaurant industry needs experienced managers right now, so stay confident in your value!

Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! I'm getting ready to file my first unemployment claim after being laid off last week, and I was really stressed about the payment timing since I have rent due in two weeks. It's reassuring to see that when everything is set up correctly, most people are getting their payments within that 2-4 business day window. I'm definitely going to follow the advice about claiming early in the week, double-checking all my bank information, and setting up those text alerts. The automated phone line tip is gold too - I had no idea that existed! Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences and practical tips. It's so much better than trying to figure this out from the official DEO website which doesn't give you the realistic timeline expectations. Fingers crossed my experience goes as smoothly as some of yours did!

Great thread with lots of helpful real-world experiences! I'm about to start claiming for the first time next week and this has been way more informative than anything on the official DEO site. Quick question for those who've been through this - do you get any kind of email notification when your payment is processed, or is checking CONNECT/the automated phone line the only way to track status? Also, has anyone noticed if there's a particular time of day that payments typically hit your account? I know it's probably variable, but just curious if there are any patterns. Thanks again to everyone who shared their experiences - this kind of community knowledge is invaluable when navigating these systems!