Just wanted to follow up - were you able to get this resolved? I'm curious if any of our suggestions helped. I've been seeing more posts about account locks lately and wonder if DEO is having a system-wide security issue they're not telling us about.

Wow, this is really concerning! I'm glad you got it resolved but it's scary that this is happening to so many people. I've been having some weird issues with my CONNECT account too - not lockouts but sometimes when I log in it says my last login was at a time I wasn't even online. Now I'm wondering if someone has been trying to access mine too. For anyone else dealing with this, it sounds like the key steps are: 1. Call the fraud department at 1-800-342-9909 (not regular customer service) 2. File the identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov 3. Consider switching to Way2Go card instead of direct deposit 4. Enable 2-factor authentication on your email I'm definitely going to be more vigilant about checking my account now. Thanks for sharing your experience and glad it worked out!

One more important point: If your backdating request is denied, you still get the full 12 weeks from your actual filing date. You're not losing any of your total eligible weeks - you're just missing out on potential past weeks. Also, make sure you're completing your 5 work search contacts each week while you wait for a decision. Even if you're focused on the backdating issue, you need to keep up with current requirements to avoid problems with your existing claim.

I went through this exact situation last year and want to share what I learned. The 12-week limit and backdating are two separate issues that everyone gets confused about (including me at first!). Florida's 12 weeks is your total benefit duration - that's just how long you can collect, period. Backdating is about when those 12 weeks START counting from. So if you get approved for backdating to January, you'd get benefits for January through mid-April (12 weeks total). If denied, you get benefits from when you filed last week through 12 weeks from then. For the backdating request, be really honest about your situation but also emphasize any challenges you faced. Did you have trouble accessing CONNECT? Were you dealing with any personal issues? Even small things can help your case. I initially got denied but appealed with better documentation and eventually got approved. The key is persistence - don't give up after the first denial. And definitely keep claiming your weekly benefits while you wait for the backdating decision. Good luck!

Just to follow up on your specific issue with payments showing as eligible but not being deposited - this is usually due to one of three things: 1. Payment method issues (direct deposit info incorrect, Way2Go card not activated, etc.) 2. A hidden hold on your account that isn't displaying properly in CONNECT 3. A system glitch where the payment was processed but not properly recorded When you do reach someone, specifically ask them to check for any payment holds or flags on your account. Also ask if they can see when/if payments were issued. Sometimes payments were sent to the Way2Go card even when claimants requested direct deposit. If the payments are for weeks in January 2025, make sure you completed all work search requirements (5 work search activities per week) and reported them correctly. That's the most common reason for payment delays.

I've been in a similar situation and found success with a combination of strategies. First, try calling the 1-833-352-7759 technical support line right at 7:30 AM - they sometimes transfer you to claims if you explain you've been unable to reach anyone for weeks. If that doesn't work, definitely contact your state representative's office like others mentioned. You can find yours at myfloridahouse.gov or flsenate.gov. Their constituent services staff are usually very responsive to DEO issues. Also, since your payments show as eligible but aren't depositing, log into CONNECT and check your "Payment Method" section carefully. Sometimes the system reverts people back to Way2Go cards without notification, even when you selected direct deposit. If you see a Way2Go card listed, you might need to activate it or request a replacement if you never received one. One more tip - try calling on Wednesday afternoons around 2-3 PM. I've noticed less call volume then compared to Monday mornings when everyone is trying to reach them. Good luck!

has anyone actually gotten through to DEO lately?? I've been trying for 3 weeks straight!!

I went through something very similar last year! The "Hold in Excess" status drove me crazy for weeks. What helped me was calling and asking specifically about any "overpayment flags" on my account - turns out DEO had flagged my account for a potential overpayment from 2022 that was never actually resolved. Once they cleared that flag, my back pay processed within a week. The key is getting someone who can actually see what's causing the hold. Regular customer service reps can see the status but can't always see the underlying reason. For your benefit amount dropping from $275 to $143 - definitely challenge that if you think it's wrong. When they recalculate based on a new base period (which happens when you reapply), sometimes they miss wages or use incorrect quarters. I've seen people get thousands more in back pay once the calculation was corrected. Hang in there - I know it's frustrating but "Eligibility Redetermined" is actually a good sign that you're close to resolution!

Hey OP, what reason did they give for the adjudication? Sometimes certain issues take longer to resolve.

I'm going through something similar - 3 months in adjudication here. One thing that helped me was filing a formal complaint with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's ombudsman office. You can do this online or by phone. It doesn't guarantee faster processing, but it creates a paper trail and sometimes gets your case reviewed by a different team. Also, make sure you're continuing to claim your weeks even while in adjudication - you don't want to lose out on back pay when it finally gets resolved. The whole system is overwhelmed right now, but don't give up!