Just a heads-up for everyone: I've been claiming benefits for several months now, and in my experience, the CONNECT system does occasionally have maintenance or slowdowns around holidays. Even though there's no official extension, I would recommend completing your work search reports at least 48 hours before your deadline if it falls on July 4th. This gives you buffer time in case of any technical issues. Also, take screenshots of your submission confirmation page as proof just in case questions come up later. Better to be prepared than have to deal with appeals!

I'm new to the unemployment system and this is really helpful information. I have a July 4th deadline too and was panicking about the holiday timing. Based on what everyone's saying, it sounds like I need to get my work search activities submitted by July 3rd at the latest. Quick question though - when you submit early, does it still count for the correct claim week? I don't want to accidentally mess up my reporting period by submitting too early. Also, does anyone know if the CONNECT system sends confirmation emails when you successfully submit?

Update: Finally got my PIN reset! Used the Claimyr service that was recommended here and got through to an agent in about 35 minutes. The DEO agent was able to verify my identity and reset my PIN immediately. Just logged in successfully and claimed my weeks! Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions.

So glad you got it sorted out! This is such a common problem with DEO - their system locks people out way too easily and then makes it nearly impossible to get back in. Thanks for updating us on what worked, that Claimyr service seems to be a real lifesaver for situations like this. Hopefully DEO will eventually fix their phone system so people don't have to jump through so many hoops just to reset a PIN!

For your husband's claim weeks from March, the federal $300 supplement (FPUC) should definitely be paid. The program ending doesn't affect past eligible weeks. The actual payment timing varies, but here's what affects it: 1. Whether there were any fact-finding issues on the claim 2. How backed up DEO's payment processing system is 3. Which payment method you selected (direct deposit is faster than Way2Go card) You should see the federal payments post to CONNECT before they hit your bank account. Keep checking your payment history in CONNECT daily.

That's awesome news! So glad you got your federal payments! For anyone still waiting - this is exactly how it usually works. The regular unemployment comes first, then the $300 FPUC payments follow within a few days to a week. The key thing is that if your claim weeks were during the time the federal program was active, you'll get those payments regardless of when DEO actually processes everything. Their system is slow but they do eventually pay what's owed.

Here are a few potential reasons why this status might appear: Overpayment: If the system detects that you have been overpaid in previous weeks, your current or future payments may be held until the overpayment issue is resolved. Additional Documentation Needed: There may be a need for additional documentation or information to verify your claim or to address any discrepancies found during the processing of your claim. System Error: Occasionally, this status can result from a technical error or glitch within the DEO's system that needs to be addressed by their technical support team. Steps to Take: Review Your Account: Log into your DEO CONNECT account and carefully review any messages or notifications that might provide more details about the "Hold in Excess" status. Contact DEO: Reach out to the Florida DEO directly for clarification. You can contact them via phone, email, or through the online messaging system in your CONNECT account. Explain your situation and ask for specific details about why your claim is on hold and what steps you need to take to resolve the issue. Provide Requested Documentation: If additional documentation or information is required, ensure that you provide it promptly to avoid further delays in processing your claim. Monitor Your Claim: Keep a close eye on your claim status and any communications from the DEO. Follow up regularly to ensure that your issue is being addressed. It's important to act quickly to resolve any issues with your claim to avoid delays in receiving your unemployment benefits. If you're having trouble reaching a human at Florida Unemployment. I just ran across this video that gave me a shortcut to reach a human. Hope it helps! https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss

I'm dealing with the same "hold in excess" issue right now! It's so frustrating because there's no clear explanation of what it means or how long it takes to resolve. I've been stuck with this status for over two weeks now. Has anyone had success getting through to someone at DEO who could actually explain what's causing this hold? I'm wondering if it's related to the system thinking there was an overpayment or if it's just another glitch in their system. Any advice on the best time to call or specific numbers that actually get you to a real person would be greatly appreciated!

To summarize what everyone has said: 1. The best document is the "Determination, Monetary and Issue Summary" from your CONNECT account 2. Make sure it shows your name, claim ID, and weekly benefit amount 3. For a mid-certification review, they typically want to see 4 weeks of payment history 4. You can print this directly from CONNECT or save as PDF 5. If you absolutely need an official letter, you'll need to contact DEO directly One more thing: take a screenshot of your submission confirmation when you upload these documents to DCF's portal. I've seen cases where they claim they never received documentation that was definitely submitted. Having that confirmation can save you a lot of hassle if there's any dispute later.

I went through this same situation a few months ago and it was so stressful! What worked for me was logging into CONNECT and going to the "Claim Summary" section where you can see your payment history. I printed out the last 4-6 weeks of payments which showed the dates and amounts. DCF accepted it without any issues. One tip: make sure whatever you print shows your full name and SSN (or at least partial SSN) because they need to verify it's actually your account. Also, if you're getting partial weeks or have any deductions, those will show up on the payment history which is important for them to see your actual "weekly gross income" vs your benefit amount. Don't panic - you still have 11 days which is plenty of time to get this sorted out! The CONNECT system can be slow sometimes but the documents you need are definitely in there.