DEO account still locked after email promising unlock - can't access final payment

same thing happened to me last month. their automated email system is complete garbage - says one thing but the system does another. try emailing DEOAccountLockSupport@deo.myflorida.com with your claimant ID and FULL SS# in the email. Someone got back to me in 3 days and manually fixed it. DON'T call the regular number, they can't help with account locks anymore since the system updated in January.

The DEO account lock issue is a well-known problem in the CONNECT system. When you get that automated email about the 24-48 hour timeframe, it's unfortunately not accurate for many claimants. The system is supposed to automatically process the unlock, but there's a backlog of verification reviews. Here's what you need to do: 1. Email both DEOAccountLockSupport@deo.myflorida.com AND RA.BPC@deo.myflorida.com 2. In the subject line put "URGENT: CONNECT Account Locked After Verification - Claimant ID [your ID]" 3. In the email include: full name, last 4 of SSN, phone number, and the date you received the "will be unlocked" email 4. Specifically mention that you've already completed ID.me verification This should get you prioritized in their queue. The system is struggling with the verification database sync since the March update.

dude i was lcoked for like 2 MONTHS!!! the emails dont mean nothing. its all automated garbage. you gotta get a real person on the phone thats the ONLY way to fix it. but good luck with that lol

yea i finally got thru after like 50 tries. just kept calling the main number over and over. best time is right when they open at 7:30am. took me 3 days of trying but i finally got a lady who fixed it while i was on the phone.

I had the exact same problem back in February. The DEO sent me the "your account will be unlocked" email, but it stayed locked for another 11 days. Finally used Claimyr to get through to an agent (claimyr.com) - they have this system that calls for you and gets you in the queue before transferring to your phone. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj Took about 20 minutes but I got connected to an actual DEO agent who unlocked my account while I was on the phone. She told me there's some kind of glitch where the automated system marks accounts for unlock but doesn't actually process them. Apparently a human has to manually override it in many cases.

DEO IS THE WORST!!! I got locked out TWICE during my claim and both times they said "oh we'll unlock it" and then NOTHING HAPPENED. They don't care about us AT ALL!!!! The whole system is designed to make us give up so they don't have to pay!!!

Have you tried contacting your state representative? That's what finally worked for me after being locked out for almost a month. I emailed my local state rep's office with all my information and explained that I couldn't access my benefits. Their office has special contacts at DEO who can escalate issues. My account was unlocked within 48 hours after they got involved. Google "Florida state representative (your county)" to find yours. Most have a constituent services form right on their website.

Just wanted to add that if you've already completed the ID.me verification, make sure to mention that in any emails or calls. Sometimes the DEO representatives will try to have you redo the verification because they don't see it properly linked to your account in their system. The ID.me verification is supposed to automatically sync with your CONNECT account, but after the March system update, many of these verifications got stuck in a pending status. If they try to make you redo the ID.me, push back and explain you've already completed it. Ask them to check the "External Verification" tab in your account rather than the main verification section. Often the verification is there but not properly linked.

UPDATE: Success! After trying everything you all suggested, I finally got through using the Claimyr service that @unemploymenthelper recommended. Got connected to an actual DEO agent after about 15 minutes. She found that my ID.me verification was completed but stuck in their system as "pending review" even though their automated email said it was approved! She manually approved it and unlocked my account while I was on the phone. I can now access my CONNECT account and my final payment is being processed! Should hit my account in 2-3 business days according to the agent. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions! This community is amazing.