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DEO identity theft disaster - can't stop fraudulent payments since February
I'm at my wits end trying to stop someone from collecting FL unemployment benefits using my identity. Since FEBRUARY I've been calling DEO, filing fraud reports, and sending documents proving I'm employed full-time. Yet the payments KEEP GOING OUT to whoever stole my info! I found out when I got a 1099-G tax form in January showing $8,740 in benefits I never received. My employer also got notices about 'my claim.' I've submitted: police report, identity theft affidavit, copies of my driver's license, and employment verification. Nothing has worked! I'm terrified about tax implications and credit damage. Has anyone successfully stopped DEO fraud once it's happening? What department actually handles this? The regular agents seem clueless when I call.
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DEO just extended work search requirements until Sept 5th - how does this affect my claim?
Just saw on the DEO website that work search requirements have been extended until September 5th, 2025. I'm currently on my 3rd week of unemployment and was planning to start a new job next month that fell through. Does this mean I HAVE to keep submitting 5 work search contacts every week until September even if I'm just waiting for my next position to start? My previous employer said they might bring me back in August but nothing is confirmed yet. Also, does anyone know if there's any exception for people over 55? My neighbor mentioned something about this but I can't find any info on the DEO site.
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when i was on unemployment last winter i just made up my work searches lol. nobody ever checked them. its not like the deo has time to verify everyones job contacts 🤷♀️
This is terrible advice. DEO routinely conducts random audits of work search activities, especially since the new verification system was implemented in March 2025. If caught submitting false information, you can face benefit repayment, disqualification from future benefits, and potentially legal consequences for fraud. Always document legitimate work search activities.
To directly answer your question about the age exemption - Florida did have a provision for claimants 55+ that reduced the work search requirement from 5 to 3 activities per week, but this was suspended in 2023 and hasn't been reinstated with the current extension. Your neighbor might be thinking of this previous policy. If your employer is seriously considering bringing you back, I'd recommend getting something in writing from them with a specific return date. Then you can apply for standby status in your CONNECT account under the "Request Waiver of Work Search Requirements" section. Without this documentation, you'll need to continue with all 5 work searches weekly until either September 5th or until you return to work.
Thank you! I'll reach out to my employer tomorrow to see if they can give me something in writing. Really appreciate the clear explanation about the age exemption too - that must be what my neighbor was talking about.
Work search requirements submitted but no payment after 2 months - DEO holding benefits?
I'm getting really frustrated with the DEO CONNECT system. I've been diligently submitting my 5 work search activities every week for the past TWO MONTHS, but haven't received a single payment yet. My claim status shows 'active' but under payments it just says 'pending.' I've tried calling the DEO at least 20 times but either get disconnected or can't get through the queue. Is it normal to go this long without any benefits even when you're meeting all the work search requirements? My savings are almost gone and I'm starting to panic about rent next month. Anyone else dealt with this kind of delay?
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If you're able to get through to a DEO representative, ask them to check these specific things: 1. Is there a specific document they're waiting on from you or your employer 2. Is there a fact-finding questionnaire you need to complete that might not be showing properly in your CONNECT account 3. Request that they escalate your claim to a supervisor due to the extended timeframe (over 8 weeks is definitely excessive) Documenting everything is crucial. If you get different answers from different representatives, ask for their ID numbers and keep detailed notes. Sometimes just mentioning that you're documenting all communication can help get things moving faster.
This is excellent advice. I'd add that you should also ask if there are multiple issues causing delays. Sometimes there's a primary issue (separation reason) and secondary issues (identity verification, work search validation) that all need to be cleared separately.
UPDATE: I finally got through to someone at DEO this morning! Turns out my former employer disputed my layoff and claimed I was fired for performance issues (which is completely untrue). The DEO agent escalated my claim and said I should receive a determination within 5 business days. She also said once approved, all my back weeks will be paid in one lump sum. Thank you all for the advice - especially about Claimyr, which got me through to an actual person in about 20 minutes after weeks of trying.
Finally off DEO PUA after being homeless - weird backpay issues now?
Just wanted to share my experience with Florida DEO and see if anyone has advice about my backpay situation. I lost my apartment in January after my employer shut down our office. Filed for unemployment right away but got stuck in verification hell. From January until mid-October, I was literally living in my car while fighting with DEO over my claim. Every week faithfully did my 5 work searches and claimed weeks even though NOTHING was being paid out. My CONNECT account kept showing 'pending adjudication' for some identity verification issue that I had already uploaded docs for THREE times! Anyway, finally in October my claim was approved and I got housing again (THANK GOD!), but now I'm confused about the backpay. They only paid me from June-October when I should have qualified from January. The determination letter mentions something about 'quarter base period' but I don't understand why I'm missing 5 months of payments I'm entitled to. Has anyone successfully appealed to get their full backpay? This whole system feels designed to make people give up fighting for what they're rightfully owed.
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i was homeless too waiting for deo!!! slept in my sisters garage for 2 months. the system is broken!!!! when i finally got my money they shorted me by like $3000 and never explained why. i tried calling but gave up after waiting 2 hours and getting hung up on. twice.
You might still be able to get that money if it hasn't been too long. There's a form called "Request for Reconsideration" you can submit through CONNECT. Look under the Determination section. Even if it's been a while, it's worth trying, especially if you have documentation showing you should have received more.
Just want to add - when you're filing your appeal, be VERY specific about why you believe you're entitled to the additional months of backpay. Include dates, your work history, and reference any communications you've had with DEO about this issue. The more specific you are, the better chance you have of success. Also, keep claiming weeks (if your benefit year is still active) while you wait for the appeal to be processed. Appeals can take 30-60 days to be scheduled, but backpay issues are often resolved faster than other types of appeals. And don't forget - if your first-level appeal is denied, you can appeal to the Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission (RAAC) for a second review.
This is really helpful, thank you! My benefit year is actually ending soon - does that affect my ability to get the backpay from those early months if my appeal isn't resolved before the benefit year ends? I'm working again now (thank goodness) but still really need those missing months of payments to get caught up on everything.
DEO backdating confusion - missing payments since March filing date
My husband lost his job and filed for Florida unemployment on March 24, 2025. He FINALLY got his first payment on May 18 ($750), and since then he's received 4 more payments of $750 and one payment of $890. But I'm confused - shouldn't he be getting paid from his original filing date in March? That's almost 2 months of missing payments! The CONNECT dashboard doesn't show anything about backdated weeks or explain the random $890 payment. I've tried calling DEO every single day this week but keep getting disconnected or stuck on hold forever. Has anyone dealt with this? Is there actually a working phone number to reach a real person? What information should we have ready if we ever get through?
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my checks were all different amounts too. DEO math makes no sense sometimes lol
RIGHT?? I swear they just make up numbers sometimes! One week $580, next week $750, then $680 with ZERO explanation!!!
I'm glad you're getting this resolved! For future reference, the proper steps after filing an initial claim are: 1. Submit initial application 2. Receive confirmation number 3. Set up CONNECT account 4. Log in every two weeks to claim weeks (even before approval) 5. Complete work search requirements (5 activities per week) 6. Report any earnings during claimed weeks Many people don't realize step 4 needs to happen regardless of claim status. The system doesn't clearly explain this, which is why so many people miss out on weeks they should receive.
This is SO helpful - thank you! If we had known this from the beginning, we wouldn't be in this mess. I wish DEO made these steps clearer on their website or sent better instructions after applying.
Oliver Alexander
UPDATE FOR EVERYONE: As of January 2025, DEO has a new dedicated fraud resolution team. If you call the main DEO number (not the fraud line), ask for "Special Fraud Resolution Unit" specifically. They have a separate queue and dedicated staff. I just helped my brother-in-law with this last month - his case was resolved in 3 weeks versus the 3+ months it took me last year. They also now have a specific email: DEO.FraudResolution@deo.myflorida.com where you can send all your documentation directly.
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Kaylee Cook
AuthorThis is incredibly helpful! I didn't know about the Special Fraud Resolution Unit. I'm going to call first thing Monday morning and email all my documentation to that address. Thank you so much for the update!
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Adrian Hughes
One additional critical thing - make sure you request a "Benefits Non-Receipt Affidavit" form from DEO. This specific form is what triggers them to issue a corrected 1099-G for tax purposes. Many people get the fraud resolved but still have tax issues because they never completed this specific form. The IRS will want to see this if you need to dispute the tax implications.
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Kaylee Cook
AuthorI had no idea about this form! No one at DEO ever mentioned it in all my calls. This is exactly why I posted here - getting information from people who've actually been through it. I'll definitely ask for this form specifically. Thank you!
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