DEO changed my status to 'Eligibility Redetermined' but weeks showing 'Hold in Excess' - help with back pay?

congrats on getting to redetermined! ive been stuck in adjudication limbo for 11 weeks now lol

The 'Hold in Excess' status is actually somewhat positive - it means the system recognizes these weeks should be paid, but there's something triggering a manual review before releasing payment. In my experience (and I went through something similar in 2023), once you reach 'Eligibility Redetermined' status, the back pay usually processes within 10-14 business days. Regarding your benefit amount dropping - this could happen for a few reasons: 1. Your base period wages changed with the new determination 2. You may have hit your maximum benefit amount on your previous claim 3. They might have applied a different calculation method Definitely call to verify the calculation is correct. Check your monetary determination letter in your CONNECT inbox for details on how they calculated the $143.

HOLD IN EXCESS is DEO-speak for "we're going to make you wait forever." I had the same status for 4 MONTHS before anything happened!!! The system is designed to make us give up. DON'T TRUST when they tell you 10-14 days!!

I was in your exact situation back in January. Eligibility Redetermined with 20+ weeks on Hold in Excess. The trick that worked for me was getting through to a Tier 2 agent who could actually see what was holding things up and fix it. Regular agents were useless. After weeks of calling and getting disconnected, I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to connect with DEO. They have this service that gets you through to an agent usually within an hour instead of calling hundreds of times. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj Once I got through to a senior agent, they found that my account had a flag for "potential duplicate payments" that needed to be manually removed. Three days later all my back pay hit my account. Completely worth it after struggling for months.

The benefit amount change is concerning. When your status changed to 'Eligibility Redetermined,' they likely recalculated your benefits based on a different base period. This happens if: 1) You reapplied when you shouldn't have (common mistake) 2) Your claim lapsed and was reactivated with a new base period 3) You had a gap in claiming weeks For the 'Hold in Excess' weeks, you need to call and specifically request them to release your back payments. Important: Ask for a 'payment release request' to be submitted and get a confirmation number. Without this specific request, those weeks can remain on hold indefinitely even after redetermination. I process appeals for claimants, and this is unfortunately very common. The redetermination doesn't automatically trigger back payment processing.

Hey just a quick question...sorry to piggyback on your post but my situation is kind of similar. When you log into CONNECT, does it show all your weeks as "payable" even though they're on hold? Or do they say something else?

Yes, 'payment release request' is the specific term to use. Also ask them to check for any 'holds' on your account. There might be an ID verification or income verification hold that needs to be cleared. Regarding your weeks showing as 'Payable' with 'Hold in Excess' status - this actually confirms what I suspected. The system recognizes you're entitled to payment (hence 'Payable') but there's a systematic hold preventing disbursement. When you call, make sure to: 1. Get a confirmation number for your payment release request 2. Ask for the specific reason for the 'Hold in Excess' status 3. Request an estimated timeframe for processing 4. Ask them to explain why your benefit amount changed Document everything, including the agent's ID number and what they tell you. This information will be crucial if you need to follow up or file an appeal.

my cousin got backpay but it took like 2 months after status changed just fyi

you shouldnt of reapplied. thats probly why ur benefit amount is different now. thye look at different quarters for the calculation

Quick update to my earlier comment - I just checked my records, and when I had weeks in 'Hold in Excess' status last year, calling and specifically requesting a supervisor made a big difference. Regular agents often don't have the security clearance to release holds. Ask for a Tier 2 agent or supervisor who can specifically address 'Hold in Excess' status weeks. Also, if you can't find a new monetary determination letter in your CONNECT inbox, request that they send one while you're on the phone. That letter will explain exactly how your new weekly benefit amount was calculated. Without that document, you can't effectively challenge the amount if it's incorrect.

has anyone actually gotten through to DEO lately?? I've been trying for 3 weeks straight!!

I went through something very similar last year! The "Hold in Excess" status drove me crazy for weeks. What helped me was calling and asking specifically about any "overpayment flags" on my account - turns out DEO had flagged my account for a potential overpayment from 2022 that was never actually resolved. Once they cleared that flag, my back pay processed within a week. The key is getting someone who can actually see what's causing the hold. Regular customer service reps can see the status but can't always see the underlying reason. For your benefit amount dropping from $275 to $143 - definitely challenge that if you think it's wrong. When they recalculate based on a new base period (which happens when you reapply), sometimes they miss wages or use incorrect quarters. I've seen people get thousands more in back pay once the calculation was corrected. Hang in there - I know it's frustrating but "Eligibility Redetermined" is actually a good sign that you're close to resolution!

I'm going through something similar right now! My status changed to "Eligibility Redetermined" about 3 weeks ago and I have 28 weeks sitting in "Hold in Excess" status. The waiting is killing me financially. Based on what I've read here, it sounds like I need to call and specifically ask for a "payment release request" and get a confirmation number. Has anyone had luck getting through to DEO recently? I've been trying the 7:30am strategy but still getting busy signals or super long hold times. Also @Mason Lopez - definitely ask about overpayment flags like Emma mentioned. My friend had a similar issue where an old overpayment investigation was blocking her back pay even though she never actually owed anything. Once they cleared it, everything processed quickly. The whole system is so confusing - how are we supposed to know all these specific terms and procedures just to get benefits we're entitled to?

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else dealing with this - I had the exact same situation about 8 months ago. "Eligibility Redetermined" status with 25+ weeks stuck in "Hold in Excess" and my benefit amount had dropped significantly too. What finally worked for me was calling and asking specifically if there was a "benefit eligibility interview" (BEI) required on my account. Turns out there was one scheduled that I never knew about, and it was blocking all my payments. Once I completed the phone interview (which was just basic questions about my work history), everything released within 5 business days. The key phrases that got results for me were: - "Payment release request" - "Benefit eligibility interview status" - "Any outstanding requirements blocking payment" Also, when they recalculated my benefits after the redetermination, I found out they had used the wrong base period quarters. I had to request a "monetary redetermination" and provide my wage statements to get the correct amount. Ended up getting an extra $89 per week retroactively. Don't give up! The system is awful but once you get the right person who knows what they're doing, things can move quickly. Document everything and keep calling until you get answers.

I'm dealing with something very similar right now - just hit "Eligibility Redetermined" status last week and have 18 weeks sitting in "Hold in Excess." Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! Based on what everyone's shared, it sounds like the key is getting through to someone who can actually see what's blocking the payments and then using the right terminology. I'm going to try calling tomorrow and specifically ask about: - Payment release request (with confirmation number) - Any overpayment flags on my account - Benefit eligibility interview status - Outstanding requirements blocking payment The Spanish line transfer trick that Seraphina mentioned sounds worth trying too since I've been getting nowhere with the regular customer service line. @Mason Lopez - really hoping you get this resolved soon! Your situation gives me hope since you've made it to the redetermined status. Keep us posted on what happens when you call with all this great advice from everyone. This thread should honestly be pinned somewhere - it's like the unofficial DEO survival guide we all needed!

Just wanted to jump in and share my recent experience since I went through almost exactly what you're dealing with! I had "Eligibility Redetermined" status with 22 weeks stuck in "Hold in Excess" and my weekly benefit amount had mysteriously dropped from $301 to $158. After reading through all the great advice in this thread, I called DEO yesterday using the Spanish line transfer trick (worked like a charm - only 30 minute wait!) and asked specifically about: - Payment release request - Any overpayment flags - Benefit eligibility interview requirements - Pending determinations blocking payment Turns out I had TWO issues: an old overpayment investigation from 2022 that was never closed AND a benefit eligibility interview that was somehow "pending" in their system. The agent was able to clear the overpayment flag immediately and scheduled my BEI for next week. She also sent me a new monetary determination letter that explained why my benefit amount changed - they had used different base period quarters when I reapplied. I'm going to challenge that calculation with my wage statements. Got confirmation numbers for everything and she said to expect payment processing within 7-10 business days after my interview. Finally feels like I'm making real progress! Don't lose hope - use all the terminology people have shared here and keep pushing for answers. This community has been a lifesaver!

Wow, reading through all these responses has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation - stuck in "Pending" status for 8 weeks now, but seeing @Mason Lopez make it to "Eligibility Redetermined" gives me hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel. The terminology everyone has shared here is pure gold - "payment release request," "overpayment flags," "benefit eligibility interview status," and "pending determinations." I had no idea these specific phrases existed, let alone that they were the key to actually getting results from DEO agents. The Spanish line transfer trick that @Seraphina Delan mentioned is genius! I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get through on the regular line for weeks. Definitely trying that tomorrow morning. @Clarissa Flair - your success story from yesterday is exactly what I needed to read today. The fact that you had two separate issues blocking your payments and got them both addressed in one call proves that getting the right agent who knows what they're doing makes all the difference. This thread should seriously be required reading for anyone dealing with DEO issues. The amount of practical, actionable advice here is better than anything I've found on any official website. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and helping fellow claimants navigate this nightmare system!

I'm new to this community but have been dealing with DEO issues for months, and this thread is absolutely incredible! The level of detailed, actionable advice here is better than anything I've found through official channels. I'm currently stuck with 15 weeks showing "Pending Eligibility" status since December, but seeing @Mason Lopez progress to "Eligibility Redetermined" and @Clarissa Flair's recent success story gives me real hope. The terminology everyone has shared - "payment release request," "overpayment flags," "benefit eligibility interview status" - is like having a secret decoder ring for dealing with DEO agents. The Spanish line transfer trick sounds like a game-changer! I've been trying the regular customer service line for weeks with no luck. Definitely calling tomorrow morning using that strategy along with all the specific phrases people have mentioned here. It's honestly criminal that we have to crowdsource all this critical information just to navigate a system that's supposed to help us, but I'm so grateful this community exists. The mutual support and shared knowledge here is making a real difference for people who are struggling. Thank you all for being so generous with sharing your experiences and hard-won wisdom. This thread should be required reading for anyone dealing with Florida unemployment issues!

This thread is absolutely amazing - thank you everyone for sharing such detailed and practical advice! I've been struggling with DEO for months and had no idea about most of these specific terms and strategies. I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where my claim has been stuck in limbo, and reading about the Spanish line transfer trick and all the key phrases like "payment release request" and "overpayment flags" has given me a real action plan for when I call tomorrow. @Mason Lopez - really hoping you get through to someone who can help resolve those 32 weeks in "Hold in Excess" status! Based on everyone's experiences here, it sounds like getting the right agent who can see what's actually blocking your payments is the key. It's so frustrating that we have to become experts in DEO terminology just to access benefits we're entitled to, but this community sharing knowledge and supporting each other makes such a difference. Will definitely report back on my experience using all these strategies!

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation - been stuck in "Adjudication in Progress" for 6 weeks now but seeing everyone's success stories gives me hope. I had no idea about the Spanish line transfer trick or any of these specific phrases like "payment release request" and "benefit eligibility interview status." It's crazy that we have to learn all this insider terminology just to navigate the system, but I'm so grateful this community exists to share this knowledge. Planning to call first thing Monday morning using the Spanish line strategy and all the key phrases everyone has mentioned. The fact that @Clarissa Flair got two blocking issues resolved in one call shows that getting the right agent really makes all the difference. Will definitely update everyone on my progress. Thank you all for creating such an amazing resource for people struggling with DEO!

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm currently stuck with "Pending" status for 12 weeks and had no idea about any of these specific terms or strategies before finding this community. The Spanish line transfer trick that @Seraphina Delan mentioned sounds like a game-changer - I've been getting nowhere with the regular customer service line for weeks. Planning to try that tomorrow along with all the key phrases everyone has shared: "payment release request," "overpayment flags," "benefit eligibility interview status," and "pending determinations." @Clarissa Flair - your success story is so encouraging! The fact that you had two separate blocking issues and got them both addressed in one call proves that getting the right agent who knows what they're doing makes all the difference. It's frustrating that we have to become DEO terminology experts just to access benefits we're entitled to, but this community sharing knowledge and supporting each other is making a real difference for people who are lost in this system. Will definitely report back on my experience!

This thread has been absolutely incredible to read through! I'm dealing with a very similar situation - my status just changed to "Eligibility Redetermined" last week and I have 24 weeks sitting in "Hold in Excess" status. Like everyone else here, I had no idea about any of these specific terms or strategies before finding this community. The Spanish line transfer trick that @Seraphina Delan shared sounds like exactly what I need to try - I've been getting nowhere with the regular customer service line for over a month. Planning to call tomorrow morning using that strategy along with all the key phrases everyone has discovered: "payment release request," "overpayment flags," "benefit eligibility interview status," and "pending determinations." @Clarissa Flair - your recent success story gives me so much hope! The fact that you had two separate blocking issues and got them both resolved in one call shows that persistence with the right terminology really works. I'm especially interested in asking about that benefit eligibility interview since I have no idea if one might be pending on my account. @Mason Lopez - really hoping you've made progress since starting this thread! Your situation moving to "Eligibility Redetermined" proves that even the most complicated cases can eventually move forward. Please update us on what happens when you call with all this amazing advice from everyone. It's honestly mind-blowing that we have to become DEO terminology experts just to access benefits we're legally entitled to, but this community sharing knowledge and supporting each other is making such a difference. Will definitely report back on my experience using these strategies!

Just want to add my recent experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I had almost exactly the same situation as you @Mason Lopez - "Eligibility Redetermined" status with 19 weeks stuck in "Hold in Excess" and my weekly benefit amount had mysteriously dropped from $289 to $175. After reading through all the amazing advice here, I called this morning using the Spanish line transfer trick (worked perfectly - only 25 minute wait!) and used all the key phrases everyone mentioned: - "Payment release request" - "Overpayment flags on my account" - "Benefit eligibility interview status" - "Any pending determinations blocking payment" The agent found that I had an unresolved "potential duplicate claim" flag from when I reapplied earlier this year. She was able to clear it immediately and submitted a payment release request with confirmation number DEO-2025-PR-445891. She said to expect processing within 5-7 business days! She also explained that my benefit amount dropped because they used different base period quarters when I reapplied. I'm requesting a monetary redetermination to challenge that calculation since I have wage statements showing higher earnings in the correct quarters. This community has been absolutely invaluable - I never would have known any of this terminology or the Spanish line trick without reading everyone's experiences here. Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and helping fellow claimants navigate this nightmare system! Will definitely update everyone when my payments actually process. Don't give up - the right agent with the right questions really can make all the difference!