I'm in week 5 of this same nightmare - "approved" status with Way2Go card but zero payments! Reading through everyone's experiences here has given me so much hope, especially Savannah's success story with Claimyr. It's absolutely insane that we all have to deal with these hidden employer verification issues that don't show up anywhere in CONNECT. I tried calling DEO directly for weeks with no luck, but after reading this thread I'm definitely going to try Claimyr tomorrow. My former employer laid off half the company and has been completely overwhelmed/unresponsive to everything, so I'm betting that's exactly what's happening - they probably ignored DEO's verification request and I'm just stuck in limbo with no way to know. What really gets me is how broken this system is. We're "approved" which means we qualified, we get the debit cards, but then we're stuck in some invisible processing hell that we can't even see. Thank you to everyone sharing their stories and especially the specific tips about what to ask the agents. This community is literally saving people financially while DEO completely fails at basic communication. I'll definitely update once I get through to someone - fingers crossed I find the same hidden issues you all discovered!

I'm in week 3 of this exact same situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! Like everyone else here, I have an "approved" status and got my Way2Go card right away, but absolutely zero payments. Reading about all these hidden employer verification issues that don't show up in CONNECT is both helpful and completely infuriating - how is this even legal? My former company went through a major restructuring right before they let me go, so they're probably swamped and just ignoring DEO's requests. Based on all the success stories here, I'm definitely trying Claimyr this week. It's ridiculous that we have to pay a third party just to reach our own state agency, but if it works like it did for so many of you, it'll be the best money I've spent. I've started documenting everything after reading this thread - daily screenshots, call logs, the works. We shouldn't have to become our own case managers, but this broken system is forcing our hand. Thank you to everyone sharing their experiences, especially the detailed updates. This community is providing more real help than any official DEO resource I've found! Will definitely post an update once I get through to an agent. Fingers crossed I discover the same hidden issues you all found!

Wow, what a journey! This thread is incredibly helpful and shows just how broken the system really is. It's absolutely ridiculous that people have to jump through so many hoops and use third-party services just to access their own benefits. The fact that Joshua had over $4,000 sitting there for a YEAR while being locked out is infuriating. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions - this is exactly the kind of community support that helps people navigate these bureaucratic nightmares. Saving this thread for sure in case I or anyone I know runs into similar issues!

This whole situation perfectly highlights everything that's wrong with Florida's unemployment system. The fact that you had over $4,000 sitting there for an entire year while being locked out is absolutely disgraceful. I'm going through something similar right now - been waiting 8 months for a "pending review" to clear on my account with no communication whatsoever. The ID.me integration has been a disaster from day one, and it feels like it was designed to frustrate people into giving up on their claims. Really glad you finally got through though! This thread is a goldmine of actual useful advice. It's sad that we have to rely on each other and third-party services to navigate what should be a straightforward government benefit system. Definitely bookmarking all these suggestions in case my situation gets worse.

my brother got backdated but he had to prove he couldnt access connect cuz of his internet being down for 3 weeks after that hurricane in march... he had letters from the internet company and everything

I'm in a similar situation - lost my job in February but waited until April to file because I was confident I'd land something quickly. After reading through all these responses, it sounds like my chances aren't great since "thinking I'd find work" isn't considered good cause by DEO standards. For those who got approved - did you have to provide specific documentation of your job search activities during the gap period? I have some email chains with recruiters and a few rejection letters, but I'm wondering if that's enough evidence to show I was actively looking rather than just sitting around. Also seeing mixed results on calling vs using services like Claimyr. Has anyone had success with the regular DEO phone line recently, or is it still basically impossible to get through? I'd rather not pay extra if I can avoid it, but if it's the only realistic way to reach someone...

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my manufacturing job cut me from 40 hours to about 20-25 hours per week. From what I've learned so far, the key things to remember are: 1. It's all about your weekly earnings, not the number of hours you work 2. You can earn up to $100 per week without any reduction in benefits (that's 8 times Florida's current minimum wage of $12.50) 3. After that $100, your benefits get reduced dollar-for-dollar 4. You still need to do all 5 work search activities every week, even though you're still employed The hardest part for me has been keeping track of everything accurately. I started using a simple spreadsheet to track my hours and earnings for each week I claim. Make sure you report earnings for the week you actually worked, not when you get paid - that seems to be where a lot of people run into trouble later. One thing that's helped me is looking at my determination letter in CONNECT to see exactly what my weekly benefit amount is, then using the formula others mentioned to figure out roughly what I can expect each week. Takes some of the guesswork out of it!

I've been through this exact situation and wanted to share what worked for me. I was a warehouse worker too and got my hours cut from 40 to about 22-28 per week last year. The most important thing I learned is to keep detailed records of EVERYTHING - hours worked each day, gross pay (including any shift differentials or overtime), and exactly which days you worked. I used a simple notebook at first but switched to taking photos of my work schedule each week. Here's what really helped me avoid problems: - Always report earnings for the week you performed the work, not when you got paid - Include ALL income - base pay, overtime, shift premiums, even small bonuses - Don't forget about any side gigs or cash work (like helping friends move, etc.) - Keep doing your 5 work searches every single week without fail The system actually worked pretty smoothly for me once I got into the routine. Some weeks I'd get partial benefits, other weeks nothing if I picked up extra shifts. The key is just being completely honest and accurate with your reporting. One last tip - if you ever have issues with CONNECT or need to speak to someone at DEO, don't waste days trying to call. There are callback services that actually work. Just my experience but it saved me a lot of frustration! Good luck with your claim!

I went through a similar struggle about 8 months ago and here's what worked for me. First, definitely apply for the interstate unemployment claim since you worked in Georgia - that money will help while you figure out training. For the WIOA program, I'd suggest calling multiple CareerSource locations in your area. Each office has different funding availability and some are more helpful than others. When I called, I specifically asked to speak with their "WIOA eligibility specialist" rather than general intake. Also, don't overlook community colleges - they often have their own workforce development grants separate from DEO. Valencia College and other state colleges sometimes have quick certification programs (8-16 weeks) with financial aid options. One more thing - if you're open to it, look into apprenticeship programs through the Florida Department of Education. They're in healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. Some are paid apprenticeships where you earn while learning. Much faster than waiting for DEO funding that might never come. Good luck! The system is frustrating but there are ways through it if you keep pushing.

Hey Ravi, I went through something very similar when I moved here from North Carolina last year. The job market can be brutal, especially when you're coming from out of state. A few things that helped me: 1. **Apply for that interstate unemployment claim ASAP** - you definitely qualify based on your Georgia work history. It takes a few weeks to process but the backpay helps. 2. **Tampa General Hospital and Orlando Health** both have "workforce pipeline" programs where they hire people with customer service backgrounds and train them for healthcare roles. They're specifically looking for people with your admin/customer service experience. 3. **Don't just rely on CareerSource** - also check with your local library. Many have career centers with free resume help and job search resources. Mine had a "Florida Back to Work" program I didn't know about. 4. **Consider temp agencies** while you're waiting on training approval. Companies like Robert Half and Kelly Services often have temp-to-hire positions that can bridge the gap financially. The key is applying for multiple things simultaneously rather than waiting on one program. I know it's overwhelming when you're stressed about money, but casting a wide net really does work. You've got solid experience - it's just about finding the right opportunity or program. Hang in there! The breakthrough usually comes right when you're about to give up.