Can I answer 'No' to work search question on DEO CONNECT when claiming weeks?

NO! Absolutely do NOT answer 'no' to that question unless you want your benefits denied! Florida requires 5 work search activities per week for regular unemployment. If you answer 'no,' your payment will be put on hold and you'll have to go through the whole adjudication process to explain why you didn't look for work. Only very specific circumstances allow you to be exempt from work search requirements.

Whoever told you that is giving you terrible advice. I answered 'no' once because I was sick that week and my payment went into adjudication for THREE MONTHS! Had to upload doctor's notes and everything. The only exceptions are if you're in approved training, have a return-to-work date within 6 weeks, or are in a union with a hiring hall. Are any of those your situation?

I made this mistake last month and my account is STILL locked!!! Been calling DEO for 2 weeks straight and can't get through. Complete nightmare. DO NOT answer NO unless you have a valid exemption!!!!

Just to clarify what others have said - Florida law requires you to complete 5 work search activities per week to remain eligible for Reemployment Assistance unless you have a specific exemption. Answering 'no' to that question without a valid exemption will trigger a "fact finding" and your payments will stop until that's resolved. Valid exemptions include: 1. You're in an approved training program 2. You're in a union with a hiring hall 3. You have a definite return-to-work date within 6 weeks 4. You're on Department-approved Standby status Your friend is giving you information that could seriously mess up your claim. Not worth the risk!

my cousin answered no once by accident and his account is still messed up 2 months later lol dont do it

The work search requirements are so frustrating!! I hate having to enter all those job contacts every time. But yeah, definitely don't say no. My neighbor got all her payments delayed for 10 weeks because of that and almost got evicted. Not worth it!

One more thing to keep in mind - DEO sometimes conducts random audits of work search activities. If you say yes but haven't actually done the searches, and you get audited, you could end up with an overpayment notice for all benefits received. That means paying everything back plus possible penalties. So always be truthful and keep records of your job searches for at least a year after your claim ends.

Just want to emphasize what everyone else is saying - DO NOT answer "no" to the work search question! I learned this the hard way when I first started claiming. I thought maybe I could skip it one week when I was really busy, and my benefits got suspended immediately. It took 6 weeks and multiple phone calls to get it resolved. Florida is really strict about this requirement. The 5 work searches per week might seem tedious, but it's so much better than dealing with the nightmare of getting your claim back on track. Trust me, just do the searches and keep detailed records. Your future self will thank you!

Isabella, I'm so glad you asked this question before making that mistake! Your friend gave you absolutely terrible advice that could have ruined your claim. I work in workforce development and see people mess this up all the time. Florida Statute 443.091 is very clear - you MUST actively seek work unless you qualify for a specific exemption. When you answer "no" to that work search question, the system automatically flags your claim for investigation. Your payments stop immediately and won't resume until you prove you had a valid reason for not searching. Most people wait 4-8 weeks minimum for resolution, and that's IF they can prove their exemption. Since you mentioned being behind on rent, the last thing you want is your benefits suspended. Keep doing those 5 work searches each week - it's annoying but it's the law. And always keep documentation of your job search activities in case DEO audits you later!