Based on your situation, here's what I'd recommend: 1. Continue claiming your weeks and doing your work searches 2. Check your inbox in CONNECT daily for any fact-finding questionnaires 3. Verify your contact information is correct in case they try to reach you 4. If you're approaching financial hardship, you might want to try the contact method mentioned above The good news is that "under review" means they're actively working on your claim rather than it sitting in the general queue. If approved, you'll receive payments for all eligible weeks, including the waiting period.

I went through the exact same thing last year! My claim was stuck in "pending-holding" for almost a month before changing to "under review." It stayed under review for about 2 weeks, then got approved. The "Able and Available" issue is pretty standard - they just need to verify you're genuinely looking for work and can accept a job if offered. A few tips that helped me during the waiting period: - Keep detailed records of all your job applications (more than the required 5 per week if possible) - Make sure your phone number and email are updated in CONNECT - Check for any messages or questionnaires they might send you - Don't panic if it takes a few weeks - the backlog is real but most legitimate claims do get approved eventually Since you're in restaurant management, you might also want to expand your search to include assistant manager or shift supervisor roles to show you're being flexible. Hang in there - "under review" is definitely progress from where you were!

Update for everyone following this thread: I just spoke with a DEO supervisor about effective date changes. As of February 10, 2025, they've updated their policy. You now need to: 1) Submit a monetary reconsideration request through CONNECT, 2) Upload documentation proving your actual unemployment date, and 3) Call to speak with an adjudicator who can flag your case for priority review. The standard processing time is currently 3-4 weeks unless you get an adjudicator to flag it (then it's about 7-10 days).

I've been following this thread closely since I'm dealing with a similar effective date issue. Just wanted to add that when you do get through to an adjudicator, make sure to ask for a confirmation number or case reference for your effective date change request. I learned this the hard way when my first request seemed to disappear into the system and I had no way to track it. Also, if you're really struggling financially while waiting, check if your local 211 services have emergency rent assistance programs - some counties in Florida still have funds available from federal programs that can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for backpay.

UPDATE: You guys are not going to believe this! I checked CONNECT this morning and the missed weeks actually showed up for claiming! I didn't have to call anyone. Maybe the system just needed 24 hours after reactivation to process everything? Whatever happened, I'm just relieved I can claim those weeks. Thanks for all the advice everyone!

So glad to hear it worked out for you! This is actually pretty common - the CONNECT system often needs that 24-48 hour processing window after reactivation before it releases the missed weeks. For anyone else dealing with this, definitely wait at least 2 full business days before panicking and trying to call DEO. The system is slow but it usually does the right thing eventually. And yes, definitely set those reminders! I use Google Calendar with email AND text notifications because missing claiming weeks is way too stressful.

I was in your situation in January. What I did was sign up for a vocational training program through CareerSource that qualified me for a small stipend while I learned new skills. It wasn't much money, but it helped bridge the gap and now I'm working in a completely different industry with better stability. Worth checking if they have any training programs related to construction or that could use your transferable skills. The key is that some of these programs are considered "approved training" which can sometimes extend benefit eligibility (but this varies by program and situation). I'd recommend making an in-person appointment at your local CareerSource office rather than just looking at their website. The staff there were much more helpful face-to-face and knew about programs that weren't obvious online.

I'm in a similar boat - just exhausted my benefits last week and feeling pretty lost about what comes next. The whole 12-week limit thing caught me completely off guard too. I've been looking into some of the suggestions here and wanted to add that if you're in construction, you might also want to check with your local building trades unions. Even if you weren't union before, some of them have apprenticeship programs or know about upcoming projects that might be hiring. Also, I heard that some counties have emergency rental assistance programs that are separate from state benefits - might be worth calling your county's social services department directly. Hang in there, this system definitely wasn't designed with working people in mind.

one more thing nobody mentioned - if ur employer gave u a return to work date thats less than 8 weeks from when u got laid off u can get the work search waived. u have to call n ask for it tho they dont do it automatic

Just wanted to share my recent experience since I filed for unemployment in Florida about 6 weeks ago. The work search requirement is definitely still active and they ARE checking! I got selected for a random audit after my 4th week of claims and had to provide detailed documentation for every single work search activity I reported. Fortunately I kept good records, but it was stressful. A few tips that have worked for me: - I use the Indeed "Easy Apply" feature which makes it quick to apply to multiple jobs - Attending virtual job fairs counts as a work search activity - Creating/updating profiles on job sites like LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter counts too - I keep screenshots of my applications and save confirmation emails The DEO rep who called me for the audit said they're doing more random checks this year, so definitely don't skip the work searches or try to fake them. It's not worth losing your benefits over!