DEO claim stuck 'under review' for 3 weeks - desperate for agent contact methods

Same boat! Week 5 of 'pending'. I've heard Tuesdays around 10:30am is the best time to call but I think it's like winning the lottery at this point 🤷‍♀️

DEO is a complete JOKE!!! I was stuck in pending for 8 WEEKS last year and every single time I called I got disconnected!!! The system is DESIGNED to be impossible to navigate!!! They don't want to pay us our benefits even though we PAID INTO THE SYSTEM!!!

I had to use Claimyr to get through after 4 weeks of trying. It's a service that connects you with a DEO agent - got through in 25 minutes after trying for weeks on my own. The website is claimyr.com and you can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj Once I talked to someone, they were able to tell me exactly why my claim was held up (needed to verify my last employer's response) and expedited it. Got paid 3 days later.

Try emailing DEO.Firstreview@deo.myflorida.com with your CONNECT ID, last 4 of SSN, full name, and a brief explanation of your issue. Put "URGENT - PENDING CLAIM REVIEW NEEDED" in the subject line. I've had some success with this approach, but it can still take 3-5 business days for a response. Also, check if there are any "fact-finding" questionnaires in your CONNECT inbox that need to be completed. Sometimes claims get stuck because they're waiting on information from you, but the system doesn't make it obvious.

my sister works for deo (not answering phones thank god lol) and she says they're dealing with a huge backlog right now from some system update that went bad in May. she said claims from mid-june are all backed up and they're working through them but it's a mess. if it makes you feel better its probably not something wrong with your claim specifically

Update on current DEO processes: Claims typically go through these stages: 1. Initial application review (1-2 weeks) 2. Wage verification (1-3 weeks) 3. Employment separation verification (1-4 weeks) 4. Final adjudication and determination (1-2 weeks) Your claim is likely in stage 2 or 3. Sometimes they need additional verification from your employer, which can cause delays if the employer doesn't respond promptly. The best solution is reaching a tier 2 agent who can see exactly what's holding things up. Regular phone agents often can't help much beyond basic status info. When you do get through, specifically ask for a tier 2 agent or adjudication department.

Did you complete the ID.me verification when you applied? That's a common holdup if it wasn't done or didn't process correctly. Check your CONNECT homepage and see if there's a link for ID.me that might be showing as incomplete.

I'd suggest trying one more approach - contact your state representative's office. They often have liaison staff who can escalate claims with DEO. Google "Florida state representative finder" and put in your address to find yours. Their constituent services can sometimes get answers when nothing else works. In the meantime, definitely try the email I suggested and keep claiming weeks. If you're truly in a financial emergency, mention that in your communication with the representative's office - they sometimes prioritize hardship cases.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - filed in mid-June and still pending after 3+ weeks. Reading through these responses is both helpful and terrifying! I'm definitely going to try the email to DEO.Firstreview@deo.myflorida.com that @Zainab Yusuf suggested, and I'll look up my state rep too. Has anyone had luck with calling super early in the morning, like right when they open at 7:30am? I've been trying afternoons mostly but maybe timing matters. This whole situation is so stressful when you're counting on these benefits to survive.

I feel your pain - this is such a nightmare situation! I've been dealing with DEO issues on and off for the past year and here's what I've learned: definitely try calling right at 7:30am when they open, keep a detailed log of every time you call (date, time, how long you waited, what happened), and be persistent with that email to DEO.Firstreview@deo.myflorida.com. One thing that helped me was also reaching out to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity on their Facebook page - sometimes they'll respond to public posts when other methods fail. It sounds desperate but when you're facing eviction, you use every tool available. Also, if you haven't already, document your financial hardship situation (overdue bills, rent notices, etc.) because this can help prioritize your case when you do get through to someone. The state rep option is definitely worth trying too - their constituent services staff deal with DEO issues regularly and know how to escalate properly. Keep claiming your weeks no matter what, and hang in there. The system is broken but most claims do eventually get resolved.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my claim on June 20th and it's been stuck in pending status for almost 3 weeks now. Reading through everyone's suggestions here has been really helpful! I'm going to try the email to DEO.Firstreview@deo.myflorida.com first thing tomorrow morning, and then attempt calling right at 7:30am like several people suggested. Has anyone had success with the Claimyr service that @Miguel Alvarez mentioned? I'm a bit hesitant about third-party services but if it actually works, it might be worth the cost given how much I'm losing by not getting my benefits. The stress of this whole situation is really getting to me - I never expected it to be this difficult to get unemployment benefits when you legitimately qualify for them. @Sofia Martinez, please keep us updated on what works for you! I think a lot of us are in the same boat right now and could benefit from knowing which approach actually gets results.