CONNECT system change? No work search inputs after claiming weeks on DEO website

OMG yes this happened to me yesterday!!! I thought it was just glitching or something! I even logged out and tried again but same thing - just the regular questions and then submit. No place to enter work searches anywhere. I took screenshots just in case they try to say I didn't do my work searches later.

This is probably related to the CONNECT system update they announced last month. According to the DEO website, they're rolling out changes in phases. The work search requirement hasn't changed - Florida still requires 5 work search activities per week - but they may be changing how/when you report them. I'd recommend keeping detailed records of all your work searches (date, employer name, position, contact method, etc.) until they clarify the new process. You should still be doing the work searches even if the system isn't prompting you to enter them right now.

same thing for me this morning. super confusing!!! but i just hit submit anyways cause i need my money lol. hope they dont come after me later sayin i didnt do searches.

The DEO is absolutely USELESS at communicating changes! I've been on Florida unemployment three separate times and EVERY TIME they make random updates to the system without proper notification. This is how people end up with overpayments and disqualifications! They expect us to follow rules that change constantly without telling us. I'm still doing my 5 job searches and keeping detailed records, but I bet they'll find some way to mess up our payments over this. CONNECT is the most broken system I've ever seen!

This happened to me last week too, but I called DEO to ask about it (took forever to get through, of course). The agent told me they're updating the work search reporting process. You should still be doing your 5 work searches per week, but they're temporarily not requiring them to be entered during the weekly claim process. The agent said they'll either be switching to random audits or implementing a new monthly reporting system. Keep detailed records of all your work searches - date, company, position, application method, etc. - because they may request this information later.

just wondering but are u on regular unemployment or some special extension? Because i claimed yesterday and still had to enter all 5 work searches like normal

Just to update everyone - DEO posted an announcement about this on their website today. They ARE changing the work search reporting process. You still need to complete 5 work search activities per week, but they're moving to a new system where they'll randomly select claimants for work search verification rather than having everyone enter them each time. Keep detailed records of ALL your work searches because they can request them at any time. If you can't provide proof when asked, you could be disqualified and have to repay benefits.

when I was on unemployment last year my cousin told me you don't really have to do the job searches they never check anyway lol but maybe with this new system they actually will check??

Has anyone noticed any other changes to the CONNECT system lately? I feel like the payment processing is taking longer too since these updates started...