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I'm currently going through a very similar situation and this entire thread has been such a lifeline! Just got hit with a $3,900 overpayment notice last month even though I was super careful about reporting my part-time hours at a pharmacy (18-25 hours weekly). My hearing was two weeks ago and I'm still waiting to see any status update on CONNECT. Reading @Chloe Delgado's successful outcome and everyone's explanations about the "ineligible-not denied" status has given me so much hope - I had no idea that could actually be good news! Like everyone else here, I've saved every single timesheet, paystub, and screenshot of my weekly certifications where I reported all my earnings. It's so frustrating how DEO's system seems completely unprepared for part-time work situations - they act like you're either totally unemployed or working full-time with no middle ground. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service that @Sophie Hernandez mentioned to get through to an actual person instead of just waiting and stressing. Thank you all for creating such a supportive community around this confusing process - knowing I'm not alone in dealing with DEO's broken system makes such a difference!
@Gavin King hang in there! Your situation sounds incredibly similar to what so many of us have experienced - that 18-25 hour range at a pharmacy is exactly where DEO s'system seems to struggle most with eligibility determinations. The fact that you have all your documentation saved timesheets, (paystubs, and certification screenshots puts) you in a really strong position based on everything we ve'learned in this thread. Two weeks after your hearing is still within the normal timeframe for seeing status updates, so don t'worry that you haven t'seen changes yet. When you do see that ineligible-not "denied status" appear, remember it s'actually promising news based on all the experiences shared here! The Claimyr service has been such a game-changer for getting actual answers from DEO representatives instead of just waiting anxiously. You ve'done everything right by keeping thorough records - that s'exactly what helped @Chloe Delgado and others get non-fault determinations even when found technically ineligible. Please keep us updated on your outcome when you hear back!
This thread has been absolutely amazing to follow! I'm currently dealing with a $2,400 overpayment notice and seeing everyone's experiences has been so reassuring. Like so many others here, I was working part-time at a grocery store (16-22 hours weekly) and reported everything accurately on my weekly certifications. My hearing is scheduled for next week and I've been incredibly anxious about it. Reading @Chloe Delgado's successful outcome and all the detailed explanations about how "ineligible-not denied" can actually lead to a non-fault determination has given me so much hope! I've organized all my documentation - timesheets, paystubs, and screenshots of every weekly certification. It's clear that DEO's system really struggles with part-time work situations, but this community has shown that having proper documentation and being honest throughout the process can lead to positive outcomes. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating such a supportive space for people navigating this stressful process!
@Felix Grigori you re'going to do great at your hearing next week! Your situation sounds exactly like what so many of us have been through - that 16-22 hour range at a grocery store is right in the zone where DEO s'system gets most confused. The fact that you have all your documentation organized timesheets, (paystubs, and certification screenshots is) exactly what you need. Based on all the success stories we ve'seen here, especially @Chloe Delgado s outcome,'being able to prove you reported everything accurately is the key to getting a non-fault determination even if they find technical ineligibility. Try to relax going into your hearing - you ve done'everything right by keeping thorough records and being honest throughout the process. The deputy will be able to see that you weren t trying'to hide anything. This thread has been such a valuable resource for all of us dealing with these confusing overpayment situations!
Just want to add another resource that might help - check with local workforce development boards in your area. They often have emergency assistance programs or connections to temporary work agencies that specialize in hospitality placements. Also, some counties have their own assistance programs that can help bridge the gap between unemployment ending and finding stable work. Your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with county-specific resources. Don't give up hope - the hospitality industry does tend to have seasonal upticks, and with spring/summer approaching, there might be more opportunities opening up soon!
This is really helpful information! I hadn't thought about calling 211 for local resources. I'm in the Tampa Bay area and you're right about seasonal opportunities - I've noticed some hotels and restaurants starting to post more positions as we get closer to spring break and summer tourist season. I'll definitely reach out to 211 and see what county-specific programs might be available. It's encouraging to hear that there might be an uptick in hospitality jobs soon. Thank you for the hope and practical advice!
Another option to consider is looking into local community colleges that offer short-term certification programs in high-demand fields. Many have partnerships with local employers and some even offer income support during training. I know Valencia College and St. Pete College have programs specifically designed for career changers. Also, if you're in the Tampa Bay area, the hospitality industry there is actually showing signs of recovery - I've seen more cruise lines resuming operations and theme parks expanding their workforce. Don't lose hope! Sometimes these tough periods force us to discover new opportunities we wouldn't have considered otherwise.
That's great to know about Valencia and St. Pete College! I'm actually pretty close to both of those. Do you happen to know what kinds of certification programs they offer that have good job placement rates? I've been in hospitality for 8 years so I'm definitely open to exploring other fields, especially if there's income support during training. And it's encouraging to hear about the cruise lines and theme parks expanding - I have experience in guest services that might transfer well to those environments. Thanks for the optimistic perspective, I really needed to hear that!
I can share some specifics about those programs! Valencia College has great short-term certifications in healthcare support (medical assistant, pharmacy tech), IT (cybersecurity fundamentals, help desk support), and logistics/supply chain management - all fields that are hiring heavily right now. St. Pete College has excellent programs in marine technology, automotive service, and business operations. Most of these are 6-16 week programs and many offer Pell Grant funding or workforce development grants that can cover tuition plus provide living stipends. Your hospitality background with guest services, problem-solving, and working under pressure would actually be a huge asset in healthcare support or IT help desk roles. I'd recommend calling their workforce development offices directly - they often have dedicated counselors who can walk you through funding options and job placement statistics. The marine tech program at St. Pete is especially hot right now with all the boating industry growth in Florida!
Just wanted to add my experience for future readers - I've been on Florida unemployment for about 6 months now and the payment timing has been pretty consistent once you get into the routine. I claim every other Sunday night (the system opens around 8 PM), and I almost always get my deposit by Wednesday morning. The only times it was delayed were during holidays like you mentioned, or once when there was a system maintenance issue that DEO announced on their website. One tip that really helped me: set up text alerts with your bank so you know immediately when the deposit hits. It gives peace of mind, especially in those first few weeks when you're still figuring out the timing. Also, if you ever have questions about a specific payment, the payment history in CONNECT shows the exact status of each week claimed, which is super helpful for tracking things down.
The text alerts tip is genius! I just set that up after reading your comment. I've been obsessively checking my bank app every few hours since I started claiming, so this will definitely help with the anxiety. It's reassuring to hear that 6 months in, the timing has been consistent for you. Gives me hope that once I get past these first few payments, I'll have a better sense of the routine. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through the same confusion! The biweekly claiming system definitely threw me off at first too. One thing I learned that might help - if you're ever unsure about whether your payment went through, you can check the "View and Maintain Account Information" section in CONNECT. It shows your payment status for each week claimed, so you can see if it's "Paid," "Pending," or if there are any issues. Also, don't panic if your first payment takes a bit longer than expected - mine took 5 business days because they had to verify some information from my previous employer. After that first one though, it's been pretty much like clockwork every two weeks. The $325 weekly amount is correct, so you should be getting $650 total (minus taxes if you elected withholding) every claim period.
This is really helpful info! I'm glad you mentioned the "View and Maintain Account Information" section - I hadn't noticed that feature in CONNECT yet. It'll be nice to have a way to check the status without having to wonder if something went wrong. And good to know that the first payment sometimes takes longer for verification reasons. I was already starting to worry that 3 business days might be too long, but sounds like that's actually pretty good timing! Thanks for the reassurance about the $650 total amount too.
I'm in almost the exact same boat! Just finished a 3-week temp job at a logistics company and need to restart my DEO claim that I paused back in February. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been super helpful - sounds like the key things are: 1. Use "Reopen Claim" not file new since we're in our benefit year 2. Be super accurate with work dates and earnings 3. Select "temporary assignment completed" for separation reason 4. Be prepared for 2-3 weeks in pending while they review The part about keeping documentation is smart too - I saved the email from my temp agency confirming the assignment dates, just in case they need proof it was always meant to be temporary. One question for those who've done this - when you report your temp job earnings during the reopen process, do you enter it week by week or as a total amount? I want to make sure I do this part right since it seems like that's where people run into issues. Thanks for starting this thread @Danielle Campbell - super timely for those of us dealing with temp work situations!
Hey @Morita Montoya! From what I've seen in other threads about DEO, you typically need to report earnings week by week during the reopen process, not as a lump sum. The system will ask for each week you worked and the gross earnings for that specific week. Make sure you have your paystubs handy so you can break it down accurately - any mistakes here seem to cause delays or overpayment issues later. Good thinking on saving that confirmation email from your temp agency! I'm planning to gather all my documentation before I start the reopen process too.
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just had a 6-week temp job end (office assistant) and was panicking about whether I could get back on unemployment. This thread is a lifesaver - so helpful to see everyone's real experiences with the process. From reading all the responses, it sounds like the main steps are: 1. Log into CONNECT and select "Reopen Claim" 2. Report all temp job earnings accurately (week by week) 3. Select "temporary assignment completed" as separation reason 4. Be prepared for 2-3 weeks in pending status 5. Start work search activities immediately (5 per week) I filed my original claim in October 2024 so I should still be in my benefit year. Really nervous about the adjudication period since I need income ASAP, but at least now I know what to expect. @Danielle Campbell thanks for posting this - please update us on how your reopen process goes! And @Nolan Carter that Claimyr service you mentioned might be something I look into if mine gets stuck in review too long. Has anyone had success getting through to DEO by phone recently, or is that still nearly impossible?
Miguel Ortiz
I'm really sorry you're facing this situation - I went through the exact same thing about 8 months ago and remember that sinking feeling when I realized there really wasn't an extension option in CONNECT. Everyone here has given you accurate information that Florida unfortunately only provides 12 weeks with no current extensions available. Since you have 2 weeks left, I'd recommend acting quickly on a few things. Definitely use that Claimyr service people mentioned to call DEO and confirm your exact end date - I found their dashboard confusing and wanted to make sure I wasn't missing any remaining weeks. Start your SNAP application through ACCESS Florida immediately since it can take several weeks to process. One thing that really helped me was signing up with multiple staffing agencies at once rather than just one or two. Different agencies have different client relationships, so casting a wide net increased my chances of getting assignments quickly. I also looked into local hospitals and healthcare facilities since they often need temporary administrative or support staff. Don't forget to check with your local library too - many offer free job search resources, computer access, and sometimes even career counseling services that I didn't know about until someone mentioned it. The whole situation is stressful, but there are definitely ways to bridge the gap while you continue your permanent job search. You've got this!
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Benjamin Johnson
I'm really sorry you're going through this - the stress of approaching that 12-week cutoff while still job searching is incredibly overwhelming. Everyone here has given you the accurate (though disappointing) information that Florida unfortunately doesn't offer any extensions beyond the standard 12 weeks of state benefits right now. Since you have about 2 weeks remaining, I'd strongly encourage you to take action on multiple fronts immediately. First, definitely try that Claimyr service others mentioned to get absolute confirmation from DEO about your exact end date and ensure you haven't missed claiming any eligible weeks. Second, start your SNAP application through ACCESS Florida right away - the processing time can be 2-3 weeks, so don't wait until your unemployment stops. I'd also recommend reaching out to temp agencies this week rather than waiting. Even if it's not your ideal work, having some income flowing can significantly reduce stress while you continue your permanent job search. Many temp positions actually do lead to full-time opportunities too. Consider gig work options like DoorDash or Uber as well - they offer flexibility around your interview schedule. Don't forget to call 211 to learn about local emergency assistance programs in your area. Many counties still have pandemic relief funds available for utilities, rent, and other necessities. Your local library may also have job search resources and career counseling services you weren't aware of. I know this isn't what you were hoping to hear about extensions, but at least now you can focus your energy on these concrete steps instead of searching CONNECT for programs that don't exist. You're definitely not alone in dealing with Florida's limited system - you'll get through this transition!
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