DEO benefits stopped after car broke down - can't do work search without transportation
I've been on unemployment for 2 months and my car just died completely. Mechanic says it'll cost $2700 to fix (more than it's worth). I'm supposed to be doing 5 work searches per week, but I live in a rural area with NO public transportation. My last benefits payment is pending and now there's a 'work search issue' on my CONNECT account. I'm literally stranded at home and can't get to interviews. Everyone in my life comes to ME for help, but I've got nobody to turn to right now. I'm afraid DEO is going to cut off my benefits completely. Has anyone dealt with transportation issues affecting their claim? What happens if I can't physically get to places for work search?
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Anastasia Sokolov
omg this happened to me last winter!!! my transmission went out and I couldnt get anywhere either. You need to do online work searches instead!! apply to remote jobs through indeed and linkedin, those count for your work search! just make sure u document EVERYTHING on the CONNECT portal!!!
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Diego Rojas
•Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't realize online applications would count! I thought I had to physically go places. That's a relief. Did you get flagged for any weeks before you figured this out?
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Sean O'Donnell
You're in a tough spot, but there are solutions. Florida DEO allows online job applications to count toward your work search requirements. You can also call employers directly to inquire about positions - that counts as a work search activity too. For the current 'work search issue' on your account, you'll need to respond to any fact-finding questionnaires they send. If you've already missed responding to something, call DEO immediately to explain your situation.
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Diego Rojas
•I've been trying to call DEO for 3 days but can't get through. It either disconnects or says the wait time is over 2 hours and then hangs up on me anyway. Is there a better number to call or a better time of day?
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Zara Ahmed
been there!!! DEO ALWAYS puts those stupid flags on accounts for no reason. they did it to me like 8 times and i had to call every single time to get it fixed. so frustrating!!! 😡
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StarStrider
After dealing with similar connection issues with DEO, I finally got through using Claimyr.com - it basically holds your place in line and calls you back when an agent is available. Saved me from having to redial for hours. They have a demo video at https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj showing how it works. When I finally got through to an agent, they removed the work search issue after I explained my transportation problem. The agent told me to document my hardship in the notes section when claiming weeks.
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Diego Rojas
•I've never heard of this service before. I'm desperate enough to try anything at this point. Did you have to explain your whole situation again to the DEO agent or did they already have notes about your case?
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StarStrider
•I had to explain everything again - they never seem to have notes from previous calls. Just be ready with your claimant ID and tell them specifically about the work search issue and your transportation situation. Make sure to mention you're actively doing online applications instead. That's what worked for me.
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Luca Esposito
The DEO system doesn't make exceptions easily, but there ARE options. Three things you should do immediately: 1. Continue doing work searches ONLINE - applications through job boards, employer websites, even LinkedIn count 2. In the notes section of CONNECT when you claim weeks, explain your transportation hardship in detail 3. Contact your local CareerSource office - they sometimes offer transportation assistance or can connect you with services I went through adjudication for a similar issue last year. The key is documenting everything and responding to any fact-finding questionnaires they send immediately. Don't miss those deadlines or you'll definitely lose benefits.
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Nia Thompson
•CareerSource won't help with transportation! I tried them and they said their funding for that program ran out. Total waste of time going there. The only thing that worked for me was getting a friend to drive me to interviews and documented that in my work search.
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Mateo Rodriguez
your supposed to do FIVE work searches????? i thought it was three per week? have i been doing it wrong this whole time?????
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Sean O'Donnell
•Yes, Florida requires 5 work search activities per week for regular unemployment (called Reemployment Assistance in Florida). It used to be 3 during parts of the pandemic period, but it's been back to 5 for quite a while now. You might want to update your work search logs if you've been submitting less than required.
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Mateo Rodriguez
•oh no!!! im gonna get in trouble arent i? i've been claiming 3 each week for like 2 months now! what should i do???
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Diego Rojas
UPDATE: I finally got through to DEO after using that Claimyr service someone suggested below. The agent was actually really understanding about my transportation situation. She told me that online applications absolutely count as work searches and removed the work search issue from my account! She also said to document in the notes section when I claim weeks that I'm limited to online applications due to lack of transportation. My payment that was pending just switched to processed! Such a relief.
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Zara Ahmed
•congrats!! DEO agents can actually be helpful when you finally reach a human being lol. glad it worked out for you!
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