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When you call and ask for a Tier 2 agent, you need to specifically say "I need to speak with someone who can see adjudication notes on my claim." The regular agents will try to tell you they can help, but they really can't see the detailed notes or make changes. Be polite but firm that you need someone with higher access levels. Also, regarding the "Able and Available" issue - make sure you update your work search record to show you're applying to both in-person and remote jobs. Having only remote jobs in your work search can sometimes extend the adjudication time because they question your availability constraints.
THIS!!! The regular agents are USELESS and just read scripts. They always say "we don't have access to that information" or "you just have to wait." The Tier 2 agents are the ones who can actually DO something. But good luck getting transferred to one - 9 times out of 10 they'll just tell you none are available. The whole system is designed to frustrate you into giving up!
I'm going through something similar right now - been waiting since February for adjudication on an "identity verification" issue. What's really frustrating is that I submitted all the requested documents months ago but my account still shows pending. One thing that helped me understand the process better was requesting my full claim file through a public records request. You can email them at UnemploymentRecords@deo.myflorida.com and ask for your complete file. It takes about 2 weeks but you'll see exactly what notes the adjudicators have made and what they're actually reviewing. Sometimes there are issues in your file that nobody tells you about over the phone. Also, if you're really desperate for some income while waiting, look into local food banks and utility assistance programs. I know it's not ideal but it can help bridge the gap. The United Way 211 hotline (just dial 2-1-1) can connect you to emergency assistance programs in your area. Hang in there - I know how soul-crushing this process is when you're broke and just need basic help to survive.
One more thing I forgot to mention in my first comment - try emailing DEO.Publicrecords@deo.myflorida.com and request all records related to your claim under Florida public records law. Sometimes this can shake things loose since they're legally required to respond to public records requests. Include your claimant ID, full name, and last 4 of SSN.
This is excellent advice. Public records requests create a formal legal obligation for them to respond, which sometimes gets more attention than regular inquiries. Just be aware it can take 7-10 business days for them to fulfill the request, but it's often worth the wait to see what's actually in your file.
UPDATE: I finally got through this morning using the 7:30am trick! The agent actually told me my claim has been flagged for "multiple employment verification issues" - apparently 2 of my previous employers never responded to DEO's verification requests, and instead of just TELLING ME THIS, they've left my claim in limbo for 10 months!!! She said she's forwarding my case to a supervisor for expedited review, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm going to try all the other suggestions here too - public records request, inspector general complaint, and probably the news station route if nothing moves in the next week. Thank you all for the advice!
thats so typical!!! they never tell us whats actually wrong!! at least now u know. keep pushing them every single day!!!!
That's such a relief that you finally got some answers! The fact that they kept you in limbo for 10 months without telling you about the employer verification issues is absolutely unacceptable. Since you now know the specific problem, you might also want to try contacting those employers directly to ask if they received any verification requests from DEO. Sometimes the employers never even got the requests due to DEO's system issues. If the employers are willing to cooperate, they might be able to proactively send the verification info to help speed things up. Keep us posted on how the supervisor review goes!
Pro tip: call exactly at 7:59am. That's when the lines open and you have the best chance of getting through. Set an alarm and be ready to dial!
This! 👆 It's how I finally got through after weeks of trying.
After trying the state rep route and still having issues, I finally got through to a claims adjudicator who explained exactly what was wrong. My separation reason was coded incorrectly (said I quit when I was actually laid off). Once they corrected that, my payments processed within 48 hours. If you do try the Claimyr route I mentioned, make sure to specifically ask for a claims adjudicator when you get through, not just a regular agent.
That's probably exactly what's happening with mine too! I'm pretty sure there's confusion about how I left my last job. I'll try my state rep first since that's free, but if that doesn't work quickly I might try Claimyr since I'm running out of time. Thanks for the tip about asking for an adjudicator specifically!
@LunarEclipse I feel your pain! I went through something similar last year - 10 weeks of pending status and only got 2 payments before finding work. Here's what finally worked for me: I sent a detailed email to both my state representative AND state senator's offices on the same day, including my claimant ID, timeline, and how the delay was affecting me financially. Within 3 days, I got calls from both offices saying they'd contacted DEO on my behalf. My payments started processing within a week after that. The key is to be polite but firm about the urgency - mention your upcoming start date and that you need this resolved ASAP. Also, definitely check that CONNECT inbox someone mentioned - mine had a separation verification form I'd missed for weeks! Don't give up on your backpay even after you start working - they still owe you that money and you have every right to it. Good luck!
Connor Richards
Hey OP, what reason did they give for the adjudication? Sometimes certain issues take longer to resolve.
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Andrew Pinnock
•They didn't give me a specific reason. Just said it was "pending adjudication" with no other details.
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Connor Richards
•Hmm, that's frustrating. Might be worth asking about that specifically if you manage to get someone on the phone.
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CaptainAwesome
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!
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