Florida Unemployment
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DEO backdating nightmare - trying to change effective date from 05/17 to 03/29 with no success
Totally stressed out about my claim effective date issue with DEO! I got laid off on 03/29 but due to CONNECT system errors and identity verification problems, I couldn't submit my claim until 05/17. Now the system shows 05/17 as my effective date, meaning I'm losing over 6 WEEKS of benefits I should be entitled to! I've called DEO literally every week (sometimes twice) since filing to request backdating to 03/29. Each time they tell me they'll "submit a request" and I need to wait. I've filled out those stupid backdating forms THREE TIMES now when they claim they never received the previous ones. The last agent had me email forms to some special backdating email address but still nothing. It's been over a month of calling and I'm still showing the wrong effective date. This is over $2,500 in benefits I'm potentially missing! Has anyone successfully gotten their effective date changed? What's the secret trick to actually make DEO process these requests?? I'm desperate here!
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DEO direct deposit missing from bank account - 2hr wait to speak with agent!
I'm about to lose my mind!!! I was supposed to get my unemployment payment via direct deposit yesterday (my payment status shows PAID in CONNECT) but the money is NOWHERE in my bank account. I called my bank first thing this morning and they basically told me there's no pending deposit and that I need to contact DEO. So I called the DEO number at 7:45am, waited on hold for 2 HOURS only to be given the option to either continue holding or get a callback. I chose the callback option and it's now almost 5pm with NO CALL BACK from them! This is $875 I desperately need for rent due tomorrow. Has anyone else had their deposit just vanish between DEO and their bank? What am I supposed to do if DEO never calls me back? I can't afford to miss rent again!
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did u try logging into CONNECT and checking ur payment history? sometimes it says more details there
Yes, I checked payment history and it shows "Direct Deposit" as the payment method with yesterday's date and "Paid" status. That's why I'm so confused about where the money actually went!
Update us if you get this resolved! I'm currently waiting on my payment too (though mine still says processing) and now I'm worried I'll have the same problem.
I'll definitely update! I tried that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and I actually got through to DEO in about 15 minutes! The agent said there was a batch processing error affecting multiple claimants. They're reissuing the payments but it will take 2-3 business days. I explained my rent situation and they're sending me an email confirmation I can show my landlord. Not ideal but at least I know what happened now!
DEO application rejected because I used my phone instead of computer - 2025 and still requiring laptops?
Just wasted THREE WEEKS thinking my DEO application was being processed!! Finally got a callback today (after requesting one 4 days ago), waited another 20 mins on hold, and the agent dropped this bomb: My entire application is INVALID because I filed it on my smartphone!!! Even though the CONNECT system LET me complete everything on my phone, sent me a confirmation email, allowed me to set up my login credentials, and I could see all my claim info when I logged in... the DEO agent said they have ZERO record of my application in their actual system. Apparently you MUST use a laptop or desktop computer to apply or the application won't properly register in their system. I have to start completely over now using a computer - which I don't even own! In 2025, when I can literally do my banking, taxes, and manage my entire life from my phone, Florida's unemployment system still requires a computer like it's 1998 or something. I'm beyond frustrated. Now I have to find someone who'll let me use their laptop so I can reapply, and I've already lost weeks of potential benefits. Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions for computer access since my local library is closed for renovations?
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wait what???? i did mine on my phone last week and got a confirmation email too... now im worried! how can i check if my application actually went through???
Log into your CONNECT account and look for a claimant ID number and claim status. If you don't see those, call DEO immediately to verify your application status. Also check if you received any follow-up emails after the initial confirmation (something with your claimant ID or instructions for claiming weeks). If you only got the first confirmation email, there's a good chance your application didn't fully process.
Just want to follow up - were you able to get access to a computer and reapply? If you're still having trouble finding computer access, some McDonald's restaurants have free computer kiosks you can use as well. Not all locations have them, but it's worth checking ones in larger cities. Also, keep detailed notes of all the extra steps and delays this has caused you. If you end up needing to appeal anything related to your claim (like backdating or work search requirements for these weeks), having documentation of the system issues you encountered will be helpful.
Thanks for checking back! I went to CareerSource yesterday and used their computers to submit a new application. The staff there was actually super helpful and said they see this phone issue all the time. They even printed copies of everything for my records. Now I'm waiting for that second email with my claimant ID that someone mentioned I should receive within 48 hours. If I don't get it by tomorrow, I'll try that Claimyr service to get through to DEO faster. I've been taking screenshots and notes of everything like you suggested!
Will DEO reduce my benefits if I take temporary work? Need urgent advice
So I'm in a really tight spot financially. My DEO unemployment benefit is $675 for 2 weeks, which barely covers half my mortgage. I'm actively searching for a permanent position but it's taking longer than expected. I noticed CareerSource has these one-day temp jobs posted occasionally that could bring in maybe an extra $300-350 a month if I'm lucky (they don't post them often). I'm terrified that if I take these short gigs, DEO will either cut my benefits completely or reduce them so much that I'll be worse off. Has anyone reported temporary work while on unemployment? How exactly does the reporting work on CONNECT? Will they just subtract what I earn or will they disqualify me? I'm literally in tears trying to figure out how to keep my house while waiting for a full-time job to come through. Any advice would be so appreciated.
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One important thing no one has mentioned: If you work less than full-time, you must still complete the five work search activities each week to maintain eligibility. The temp work doesn't count toward your work search requirements. Many people miss this and end up having issues with their claims. Also, keep a separate log of all your work search activities AND your temp work hours/pay in case DEO audits your claim later (which they often do).
wait WHAT?? i thought if u worked ANY hours in a week u didnt have to do work searches for that week? thats what the DEO website says i think??? now im confused
I understand your anxiety about this. DEO's partial unemployment rules can be confusing. Let me clarify: You MUST report all earnings when you claim weeks, even small amounts. If you don't, it's considered fraud and they can make you repay all benefits plus penalties. However, taking temporary work shouldn't disqualify you completely. Regarding the work search requirements - technically if you work less than full-time in a week, you still need to complete work searches. But if you're "job attached" (meaning you have a return-to-work date within 8 weeks), you might be exempt. This is something you should confirm with a DEO representative to be absolutely certain for your specific situation.
Thank you for this detailed explanation. I'll definitely report everything accurately. I don't have a return-to-work date since these would be random one-off gigs, so I'll make sure to keep up with my work searches. Really appreciate everyone's help here - I was so stressed about this!
DEO confusion about LWA payment amounts - $1200 vs $1800 in Florida?
Hey everyone, I'm totally confused about the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) payment amounts for Florida. Some sources are saying Florida maxed out at $1200 total (4 weeks at $300), but others claim we should be getting $1800 (6 weeks at $300). I checked the LWA tracker website and it doesn't indicate Florida is maxed out yet. Does anyone have concrete information about how many weeks Florida was approved for and what the maximum amount should be? This makes a huge difference for my budget planning right now.
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My friend works at CareerSource and she told me that DEO knew that FL would only get 4 weeks but they didn't tell anyone bcuz they didn't want people complaining!! So they just let everyone think more money was coming. SMH
THIS is the kind of underhanded garbage that makes me FURIOUS with Florida's unemployment system!!! They DELIBERATELY keep us in the dark!
Just to clarify some information for those still confused: 1. LWA was a limited federal program administered by FEMA, not a standard unemployment benefit 2. States had to apply for each week of funding 3. Florida was approved for and distributed 4 weeks ($1200) 4. Some early-applying states received up to 6 weeks ($1800) 5. The program is now completely closed and no additional LWA payments will be issued for any state If you received $1200 total for LWA in Florida, you have received the complete amount you're eligible for.
This is an excellent summary - thank you for breaking it down so clearly. I wish the DEO website had explained it this directly!
AstroAce
UPDATE: Thanks for all the advice everyone! I tried the email approach that @profile4 suggested, documented EVERYTHING including screenshots of all my CONNECT errors, and followed up exactly 7 days later asking for a supervisor review. And guess what? IT WORKED! Just got notification that my claim effective date has been changed to 03/29! Now I need to go back and claim those additional weeks. For anyone dealing with this same issue, be super persistent and document EVERYTHING. I'll post again once I actually receive the backdated payments.
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CosmicCaptain
congrats! how long did the whole process take from when u sent that email?
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Liam McConnell
Just be careful when claiming those backdated weeks! Make sure you accurately report any income or job searches during that period. DEO is doing a lot of audits this year and if they find discrepancies, you could end up with an overpayment notice. I'd recommend keeping a spreadsheet of all weeks claimed, work searches reported, and payments received just to be safe.
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AstroAce
AuthorThat's great advice, thank you! I've been keeping records of all my work searches anyway, but I'll make sure to be extra careful with the backdated weeks. Last thing I need is an overpayment issue after finally getting this resolved!
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