DEO changed work search questions - confused about new Covid-19 fields in CONNECT
I tried claiming my weeks today and noticed DEO completely changed the work search questions in CONNECT! The availability question now has different Covid-related instructions that weren't there before. When I answer 'yes' to being available, it takes me to a whole new page asking for work search details with fields for 'date of contact' and other info, but it seems like you're supposed to just type 'Covid-19' somewhere? I'm absolutely terrified of answering wrong and delaying my payments. I even tried opening a different browser thinking maybe it was a cookie issue, but got the same new questions (and that annoying little walking man animation while it loads). The system specifically mentioned that based on my location, I am required to complete work searches. But that can't be right - I'm in Palm Beach County where the work search waiver is extended until 8/20/25. We're not even in the government's phase 3 reopening yet! Has anyone else seen these new questions? How are you answering them without messing up your claim?
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Javier Mendoza
I claimed yesterday and noticed the same changes. The DEO updated CONNECT to reflect new work search requirements across Florida. For Palm Beach County, you're right that work searches are still waived until 8/20/25, but the system doesn't automatically know your county. Here's how to handle it correctly: 1. When it asks if you're available to work, select "Yes" 2. On the work search page, there should be a dropdown option that says something like "Work Search Waiver - COVID-19" 3. If you don't see that option, just put "COVID-19" in each required field 4. In the employer name field, put "Work Search Waiver - COVID-19" 5. For contact date, just use the Sunday of the week you're claiming The DEO reviews these manually and should approve it if you're in a county with an active waiver. Just make sure to save screenshots of everything just in case.
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AstroAdventurer
•Thank you so much! I was about to have a panic attack over this. I'll try claiming again with your instructions. Do you know if I need to upload any proof that I live in Palm Beach County? I've heard some people's claims got flagged for 'fact finding' when they used the COVID waiver.
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Emma Wilson
OMG the same thing happened to me this morning!!!! I got so confused and just X'd out of the browser because I didn't want to mess anything up. Has anyone actually successfuly claimed with these new questions yet?? The whole system is set up to trick us I swear
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Javier Mendoza
•Don't worry too much - just follow the instructions I posted above. The system isn't trying to trick you, it's just poorly designed. Make sure you complete your claims before the deadline though, or you might lose those weeks!
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Malik Davis
The DEO website is completely broken right now. I called them today and after 3 hours on hold finally got through. The rep told me they're aware of the issue with the work search questions and are working on a fix. For now, you SHOULD select "Yes" to being available and then in all the work search fields put "COVID-19 WAIVER" in all caps. Be careful though - if your county isn't under a current waiver, you DO need to complete the full 5 work searches per week. Check your county status here: https://floridajobs.org/docs/default-source/reemployment-assistance-center/cares-act/county-waivers/county-work-search-waivers-8-5-25.pdf
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Isabella Santos
•3 HOURS on hold??!! That's insane. How do you even have the patience for that? I've been trying to call for days and can't get through at all.
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Ravi Gupta
I had this EXACT same problem yesterday. Totally different questions than two weeks ago! I freaked out and called my sister who works at CareerSource and she said it's because DEO updated their system but didn't properly account for counties with waivers still in effect. The most important thing is to NEVER leave any field blank. Always put "COVID-19" or "COVID-19 WAIVER" in every field if you have a valid waiver. If you try to skip it or leave stuff blank, it automatically flags your account for adjudication and you'll be waiting weeks for payment. Also, take screenshots of EVERYTHING as proof in case they try to say you didn't complete the requirements!
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AstroAdventurer
•This is so stressful! I'll definitely take screenshots of everything. Do you know if the system will show my claim as "pending" after I submit with the COVID waiver info, or will it go straight to processing?
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GalacticGuru
Im in broward county and same thing happen to me!!! the system is all messed up again, I tryed to claim but it said error at the end and now it shows i have no weeks to claim but i didnt get paid either!!! what is going on??? does any1 know if its better to call or go on the website????
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Malik Davis
•If you got an error and now have no weeks available to claim, you need to call DEO immediately. This means your claim might not have been properly submitted. Unfortunately, getting through to them is nearly impossible right now with regular calls.
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AstroAdventurer
Update: I finally got through the claim process! I followed the advice here and put "COVID-19 WAIVER" in all the work search fields. The system accepted it, but now my claim is showing "Pending - Adjudication" instead of the usual "Processed." Should I be worried??
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Javier Mendoza
•That's actually normal right now. Because of the system changes, most claims with COVID waivers are being flagged for manual review (adjudication). As long as you're legitimately in Palm Beach County, it should be approved within 3-5 business days. If it takes longer than a week, then you might want to call.
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Isabella Santos
i tried to claim yesterday and got those same new questions! but i thought we had to do work searches now? im in miami-dade and my neighbor said the covid waiver ended already. this is so confusing!!!!
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Ravi Gupta
•For Miami-Dade, the work search requirements came back on 7/31/25. You DO need to complete and report 5 work search contacts per week now. If you haven't been doing them, you should start immediately. The COVID waivers are county-by-county and change based on local conditions.
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Malik Davis
Just wanted to update everyone - DEO just released an official statement about the work search question changes. They confirmed it's a system update that caused confusion. Here's what they said: 1. If you're in a county with an active work search waiver, put "COVID-19 WAIVER" in all fields 2. If your county's waiver has expired, you MUST complete 5 work search activities per week 3. All claims using the COVID waiver will be manually reviewed to verify county residence 4. They're working on an update to make the system recognize county waivers automatically They also said if you made an honest mistake on a recent claim due to confusion, you can call to have it corrected without penalty.
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AstroAdventurer
•Thank you for this update! This makes me feel much better about using the COVID waiver. I submitted my claim earlier today with "COVID-19 WAIVER" in all fields, so hopefully it processes correctly.
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