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Fatima Al-Qasimi

DEO contact phone numbers - full list needed after losing my phone

Hey everyone, I just had to get a new phone and lost all my saved contacts including the various DEO unemployment numbers. I've been trying to reach someone about my pending adjudication since March 2025 (going on 4 weeks now). The main number keeps disconnecting me after the automated message. Does anyone have a complete list of the different DEO department numbers? I specifically need the adjudication department and maybe the claims assistance line. I know there are several numbers for different issues. Any help appreciated!

Here are the main DEO numbers I have saved: - General Customer Service: 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) - Claims Assistance: 1-800-204-2418 - PIN Resets: 1-833-FL-APPLY, option 2 then 6 - Overpayment Unit: 1-800-342-9909 - Appeals Office: 1-850-921-3511 Be prepared for long hold times with all of them. The adjudication department doesn't have a direct number - you have to go through the Claims Assistance line and ask to be transferred.

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Thank you so much! I've been using the main FL-APPLY number but can never get through. Do you know if the Claims Assistance one is any better for getting a real person? My adjudication has been pending for almost a month now and rent is coming up.

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Ugh the phone numbers are useless tbh. I called 43 TIMES yesterday and kept getting disconnected. The system is designed to keep us from talking to actual humans.

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THIS!!! I swear they designed the phone system to be impossible. I spent 3 days trying to get through last week and when I finally did, the agent had no idea what was happening with my claim and just told me to "wait for adjudication to complete" - WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?? Like when?? How long?? So frustrated with DEO right now.

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I've had good luck with Claimyr - it's a service that gets you through to DEO fast. I was skeptical but it worked for me when I had an adjudication issue similar to yours. They call DEO for you and connect you when a real person answers. You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj or just go to claimyr.com. Saved me days of trying to get through on my own.

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Thanks for the suggestion! Never heard of this before. Did you have to wait long once they connected you? I'm desperate at this point - might be worth trying if it actually works.

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I tried Claimyr too - it actually works but the DEO agent I got still couldn't help me lol. At least I talked to a human though.

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heres what i did - call the 1-833-FL-APPLY number exactly at 7:29am right before they open. press 5 for payments then 7 for claim status. stay on hold for like 25min but u usually get someone. if that doesnt work try 1-850-617-0709 its the employer line but sometimes they can help claimants too

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This is really helpful! I'll try the 7:29am trick tomorrow morning. Did you eventually get your adjudication resolved by calling that way? That employer line is new to me - I'll add it to my contacts this time.

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I had the same issue back in January. My adjudication was for "employment separation" because my employer contested it. I wish I could tell you calling helped, but honestly it was just waiting it out. 6 weeks total before they made a determination and finally released my payments. The wait is terrible but keep claiming your weeks!

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6 WEEKS?! My landlord isn't going to wait 6 weeks! This is exactly what's wrong with the system. They expect us to just live on air while they take their time? I'm on week 5 of adjudication for something that should be simple. Just check my employment records and PAY ME!

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Here's something important to know: if your adjudication is related to work search requirements, you can request an expedited review by emailing DEO.WorkSearch@deo.myflorida.com with your claimant ID in the subject line. Include your full name, last 4 of SSN, and a brief explanation. For other adjudication issues, sometimes contacting your state representative's office can help speed things up. They have special contacts at DEO who can look into claims that are stuck. Just google "Florida state representative [your county]" to find yours.

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That's a great tip about the state rep! Mine is actually related to a job separation issue - my previous employer closed down completely but I guess there's some confusion in the system. I'll try both the early morning call tomorrow and reaching out to my representative. Hopefully one of them works because I'm getting really worried about bills.

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wait did anyone post the actual adjudication department number? that's what the OP was asking for lol

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There isn't a direct number to the adjudication department that the public can call. They have to go through the main claims line (1-800-204-2418) and request to be transferred. Even then, most agents will just tell you they can't transfer you and that you have to wait for the adjudicator to contact you if they need additional information.

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dont forget that if u need to submit documents for adjudication u can upload them in CONNECT under "inbox" then "compose message" - attach files there and put ur CLAIMANT ID in the subject. faster than faxing or mailing. when i did this i put "URGENT ADJUDICATION DOCUMENTS" in the subject line and it got resolved a week later

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Thanks for this tip! I actually do have some paperwork from my previous employer showing they went out of business. I'll try uploading it through CONNECT with the urgent subject line you suggested. Worth a try at this point!

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Final tip: make sure you're answering your phone even if you don't recognize the number. Adjudicators often call from blocked or weird numbers, and if you miss their call, it can delay your claim even more. They typically only try to call 1-2 times before putting your claim back in the queue. Good luck with your claim! Let us know if any of these strategies work for you.

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Thank you! I'll be sure to answer every call. I've tried the early morning call method today and actually got through after about 40 minutes on hold. The agent couldn't resolve my adjudication but did put notes on my account and said she'd try to expedite it. At least it's something! I've also uploaded my documents through CONNECT with the urgent subject line. Will update if anything changes.

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Just wanted to add a few more numbers that might help: - Technical Support (for CONNECT issues): 1-833-352-7759, option 1 then 3 - Debit Card Issues (Way2Go): 1-833-934-2401 - Identity Verification: 1-833-352-7759, option 2 then 4 Also, if you're having trouble with CONNECT not working properly, try using a different browser or clearing your cache. I've found Chrome works better than Safari for the site. The early morning call strategy definitely works best - I've had success calling right at 7:30am on weekdays. Fridays are usually the worst day to call because everyone's trying to get through before the weekend. Hope this helps and you get your adjudication resolved soon! The system is frustrating but keep trying different approaches.

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This is such a comprehensive list - thank you! I didn't know about the technical support line for CONNECT issues. I've been having problems with the site timing out when I try to upload documents, so that number might be really helpful. I'll definitely try Chrome instead of Safari too. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and tips here - makes me feel less alone in dealing with this mess!

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Just went through something similar last month! Here's what finally worked for me: Try calling the main line (1-833-FL-APPLY) at exactly 7:30am and press 1 for English, then 5 for payment issues, then 1 for claim status. I found Tuesday-Thursday mornings work best. Also, if you're on social media, try messaging the DEO Facebook page - they actually respond there sometimes and can escalate your case. Search for "Florida Department of Economic Opportunity" on Facebook. One more thing - if you haven't already, make sure you're continuing to claim your weeks even during adjudication. A lot of people stop claiming thinking they can't, but you need to keep doing it or you'll lose those weeks of benefits. The waiting is awful but don't give up! My adjudication took 5 weeks but I eventually got all my back pay. Hang in there!

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Thanks Marcus! I had no idea about the Facebook messaging option - that's brilliant! I'll definitely try that along with the phone strategy. I've been claiming my weeks but was worried I was doing something wrong since nothing's happening. Good to know I should keep doing it. 5 weeks feels like forever but at least there's hope I'll get the back pay eventually. Really appreciate you sharing what worked for you - gives me some concrete steps to try!

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I've been dealing with DEO for over a year now and here's my updated contact strategy that's been working better lately: **Best calling times:** - 7:30am sharp on Tuesday/Wednesday (avoid Mondays and Fridays) - Right after lunch around 1:15pm - sometimes they have fewer calls then **Key numbers with extensions:** - 1-833-FL-APPLY then press 5-7-2 (this gets you to a different queue that's sometimes shorter) - 1-800-204-2418 - ask specifically for "Tier 2 support" if the first agent can't help **Pro tip:** When you finally get someone on the phone, ask them to put detailed notes in your file about the call. Then ask for a "case number" or "interaction number" for that specific call. This helps when you call back because agents can see the previous conversation. Also, I've noticed that if you call back within 2 hours of a previous call, you sometimes get connected faster - like the system remembers you were just trying to get through. For adjudication specifically, ask the agent to check if there are any "outstanding information requests" in your file that might be holding things up. Sometimes there are requests for documents that never got sent to you properly. Keep fighting the good fight - the system is broken but persistence eventually pays off!

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This is incredibly helpful Taylor! I'm definitely going to try that 5-7-2 extension sequence - I had no idea there were different queues you could get into. The timing about calling back within 2 hours is really interesting too. I've been spacing out my calls thinking I needed to wait longer between attempts. And asking for case numbers is such a smart idea - I never thought to do that but it makes total sense for tracking conversations. I'm going to write all of this down and make a proper calling strategy. Really appreciate you taking the time to share all these detailed tips from your experience!

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Adding to all the great advice here - if you're still having trouble getting through, try using the Live Chat feature in CONNECT (if it's working that day). Sometimes the chat agents can see different information than the phone agents or can escalate your case differently. Also, keep a log of every call you make with date, time, who you spoke to, and what they told you. I started doing this after week 3 of my adjudication and it really helped when I finally got someone who could actually help - they could see the pattern of how long I'd been trying and took my case more seriously. One last thing - if your adjudication is taking longer than 8 weeks, you can file a complaint with the Florida Ombudsman program. They can sometimes intervene when DEO is taking unreasonably long. The number is 1-850-717-1100. Hoping you get some movement on your case soon! The adjudication wait is the worst part of this whole process.

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This is such valuable info Roger! I didn't even know there was a Live Chat option in CONNECT - I'll definitely look for that. The logging idea is brilliant too - I wish I had started doing that from day one. I'm only at week 4 but if this drags on to 8 weeks I'll definitely contact the Ombudsman. It's really encouraging to see how everyone here is sharing their strategies and looking out for each other. Makes dealing with this broken system feel a little less overwhelming when you know other people have been through it and found ways to get results. Thanks for adding these extra resources!

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I've been following this thread and wanted to add something that worked for me when I was stuck in adjudication hell for 7 weeks earlier this year. If you have access to a fax machine, try faxing your documents directly to the adjudication unit at 850-921-3292. I know it sounds old school, but sometimes faxed documents get processed faster than uploads through CONNECT. Make sure to include your full name, claimant ID, and SSN on every page. Also, here's a tip I learned from a DEO agent: if your case involves job separation issues, you can request a "predetermination hearing" which sometimes moves your case to a different adjudicator who might process it faster. You have to specifically ask for this - they won't offer it. The wait is absolutely brutal and the system is designed to discourage us, but don't give up! I eventually got 7 weeks of back pay once my adjudication finally cleared. Document everything and keep pushing - you deserve those benefits! @Fatima Al-Qasimi really hope some of these strategies work for you. Let us know how the early morning calling goes!

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Thanks for mentioning the fax option Zane! I actually have access to a fax machine at work so that could be really helpful. That fax number (850-921-3292) is going into my notes right away. The predetermination hearing thing is completely new to me - I'll definitely ask about that when I call tomorrow morning. It's crazy how many different options and processes there are that they don't tell you about upfront. Really appreciate you sharing your experience and the encouragement! 7 weeks of back pay must have been such a relief when it finally came through. I'm documenting everything now thanks to all the advice in this thread. Will definitely update everyone on what ends up working!

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I've been dealing with DEO adjudications for my clients (I work at a legal aid clinic) and wanted to share a few insider tips that might help: **For faster phone connection:** Call 1-833-FL-APPLY and when you get the automated system, press 0-0-0 rapidly during any prompt. This sometimes bypasses the menu and gets you to a human faster. **Important documentation tip:** If your adjudication is for job separation, make sure you have your final paycheck stub, any termination letter, and documentation about your employer closing. Upload these with filename format "CLAIMANTID_JOBSEPARATION_DATE" - the adjudicators told me this helps them process files quicker. **Email escalation:** Try emailing ra-deoCustomerService@deo.myflorida.com with "URGENT ADJUDICATION DELAY - WEEK 4" in the subject line. Include your claimant ID and phone number in the first line of the email. One thing I've noticed is that adjudications involving business closures actually move faster once they have proper documentation, since there's usually less dispute about eligibility. The challenge is getting the right documents to the right person. Keep pushing - I've seen cases resolve suddenly after weeks of nothing happening. The system is frustrating but your persistence will pay off!

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This is incredibly helpful Isabella! I had no idea about the 0-0-0 trick to bypass the menu - that's genius. I'm definitely going to try that tomorrow morning along with the early calling strategy others have mentioned. The filename format tip for documents is really smart too - I've been uploading files with random names so this could make a big difference. That email address (ra-deoCustomerService@deo.myflorida.com) is new to me as well - I'll send them an email today with my claimant ID and the urgent subject line you suggested. It's so helpful to get advice from someone who works with DEO cases professionally. Really gives me hope that my business closure situation might actually resolve faster once they have the right documentation. Thank you for sharing your expertise with all of us struggling through this process!

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I work as a customer service supervisor and deal with government phone systems all day, so I wanted to share a few technical tricks that might help with getting through to DEO: **Phone hacks that actually work:** - Use *67 before dialing to block your caller ID - sometimes blocked numbers get routed differently - If you get disconnected, call back immediately using redial - you sometimes get priority in the queue - Try calling from a landline if you have access to one - some systems prioritize landline calls over cell phones **Best days/times I've noticed:** - Tuesday 7:30-8:00am is golden - Wednesday 12:30-1:30pm (right after lunch when staff comes back) - Avoid the first and last week of the month - that's when call volumes spike **Script that works:** When you get a human, say "Hi, I need to speak with someone about my pending adjudication that's been in review for 4 weeks. My claimant ID is [number]. Can you please check if there are any outstanding document requests or if my case needs to be escalated?" Don't apologize or say "I'm sorry to bother you" - just state your need clearly and confidently. The system is designed to wear you down, but these phone strategies have helped me get through to difficult government lines. Persistence + strategy = results. You got this!

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This is amazing advice Jeremiah! I never would have thought about using *67 to block caller ID or trying a landline - those are such smart technical tricks. The timing you mentioned (Tuesday 7:30-8am and Wednesday lunch time) lines up perfectly with what others have said, so that gives me even more confidence in those windows. I love the script you provided too - you're absolutely right that being direct and confident works better than apologizing. I've been starting my calls with "sorry to bother you" which probably doesn't help my case. Going to try the *67 trick tomorrow morning when I call at 7:30am sharp. Really appreciate you sharing your professional expertise with phone systems - it's so helpful to get this kind of insider knowledge about how to work with these frustrating government lines!

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Just wanted to share what finally worked for me after 6 weeks of adjudication hell! I tried almost every suggestion from this thread and here's what actually got results: **What worked:** Called Tuesday at exactly 7:30am using the *67 caller ID block trick, pressed 5-7-2 for the different queue, and when I got through (after 35 minutes on hold) I used the confident script someone posted here. The agent was actually helpful and found that my case had been sitting in the wrong department! **The breakthrough:** She transferred me to a "Tier 2" specialist who could see that my employer closure documentation had been processed but never linked to my claim. They fixed it while I was on the phone and said I should see movement within 48-72 hours. **Key things that helped:** - Calling with blocked caller ID (*67 first) - Using the 5-7-2 extension sequence - Having my claimant ID, SSN, and employer closure docs ready - Being direct and confident, not apologetic - Asking specifically for Tier 2 support I also sent the urgent email to ra-deoCustomerService@deo.myflorida.com yesterday with my situation, so that might have helped too. Just wanted to give back to this community since everyone's advice was so helpful. Don't give up - persistence really does pay off! Will update when my payments actually hit my account.

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This is such great news Lucy! Congratulations on finally getting some movement on your case. It's really encouraging to hear that the combination of strategies from this thread actually worked - especially the *67 caller ID blocking and the 5-7-2 extension sequence. I never would have thought the issue could be something as simple as documentation sitting in the wrong department! That's exactly the kind of thing that makes this whole process so frustrating. Really appreciate you coming back to share what worked since so many of us are still fighting through this. I'm definitely going to try your exact approach tomorrow morning, including having all my documents ready and asking specifically for Tier 2 support. Fingers crossed I get similar results! Please keep us posted when your payments actually come through - it gives the rest of us hope that there really is light at the end of this tunnel.

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I've been through this exact situation last year and wanted to share a few additional resources that helped me: **Local CareerSource offices** can sometimes help with DEO issues - they have direct contacts and can make calls on your behalf. Find your local office at careersourceflorida.com and ask to speak with someone about "unemployment claim assistance." **Florida 211** (dial 2-1-1) connects you to local resources and sometimes they know about DEO advocates in your area who can help navigate the system. **County commissioner offices** - I know it sounds weird, but my county commissioner's office actually helped escalate my case when I was at week 7 of adjudication. They have constituent services staff who deal with state agency issues. For your specific business closure situation, make sure you have: - Final paycheck stub showing your last day - Any communication about the business closing (emails, letters, etc.) - If possible, a letter from your employer stating they ceased operations The waiting is absolutely brutal but based on what others are sharing here, it sounds like you're getting close to a breakthrough. The fact that you're being proactive and trying multiple approaches gives you the best chance of getting this resolved quickly. Keep us posted on your progress - this thread has become such a valuable resource for everyone dealing with DEO adjudication issues!

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Wow Giovanni, I had no idea about these local resources! The CareerSource office option is really interesting - I didn't realize they could actually call DEO on your behalf. That could be huge since they probably have better contacts than we do as individual claimants. I'm definitely going to look up my local CareerSource office today. The county commissioner idea is brilliant too - I never would have thought of that but it makes perfect sense that they'd have constituent services for exactly these kinds of state agency problems. I do have all the documentation you mentioned including the final paycheck and closure notice from my employer, so hopefully that will help once I get the right person to look at my case. This whole thread has been incredibly helpful - it's amazing how much knowledge everyone has shared about working around DEO's broken system. Really appreciate you adding these local resource options to the mix!

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I'm going through the same nightmare right now - week 3 of adjudication for a job separation issue and it's driving me crazy! Reading through all these suggestions gives me so much hope though. I'm definitely going to try the Tuesday 7:30am call strategy with the *67 caller ID blocking and that 5-7-2 extension sequence. Never knew there were different queues you could access! Also planning to hit up my local CareerSource office this week - had no idea they could make calls to DEO on our behalf. That could be a game changer since they probably have better connections than us regular folks trying to get through. @Fatima Al-Qasimi really hope you get some movement soon! Your original post sparked such an amazing discussion full of actually useful tips. This community is way more helpful than DEO's own "help" resources. Will definitely update if any of these strategies work for me! The fact that so many people are dealing with the exact same issues just shows how broken this system really is. But at least we're all helping each other figure out ways around it!

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Mei Liu

You're so right Sophia - this whole thread has been way more helpful than anything DEO has provided! It's actually pretty sad that we have to crowdsource solutions like this just to navigate a basic government service, but I'm grateful everyone is sharing their experiences. The Tuesday 7:30am strategy seems to be the most consistent winner based on what multiple people have said. I'm planning to try that tomorrow too along with the *67 trick and having all my documents ready with the proper naming format someone mentioned earlier. It really does help to know we're not alone in this - the adjudication wait is so stressful when you're worried about rent and bills, but seeing that others have gotten through it gives me hope. The CareerSource angle is definitely worth pursuing too since they might have insider knowledge about how to actually get things moving. @Fatima Al-Qasimi thanks for starting this discussion! Hope you ve'had some success with all the strategies people have shared. And @Sophia Gabriel definitely keep us posted on what works for you - the more data points we have, the better we can help the next person who gets stuck in adjudication limbo!

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This thread is absolutely incredible - thank you everyone for sharing such detailed strategies! I've been lurking here while dealing with my own adjudication nightmare (week 5 now for a workplace injury separation issue) and finally feel like I have a real action plan. I'm going to combine the best tips from everyone: - Tuesday 7:30am call with *67 caller ID blocking - Use the 5-7-2 extension sequence to get into a different queue - Have all documents ready with proper naming format (CLAIMANTID_SEPARATION_DATE) - Ask specifically for Tier 2 support and request case notes - Email ra-deoCustomerService@deo.myflorida.com with urgent subject line - Contact my local CareerSource office for additional help What's really striking is how much institutional knowledge we've built up here just by sharing our experiences. It's frustrating that we have to become experts in gaming a broken system, but at least we're helping each other survive it. @Lucy Taylor your success story gives me so much hope! The fact that your issue was just documents sitting in the wrong department shows how many cases are probably just stuck due to administrative errors rather than actual eligibility problems. Will definitely report back with results - this community deserves to know what's working so we can keep helping people get through this mess!

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Diego, your action plan looks solid! I've been following this thread too and it's amazing how everyone has come together to share what actually works. The combination of strategies you've outlined seems to be the most comprehensive approach based on everyone's successes. I'm particularly interested in your workplace injury separation issue - that's a bit different from the business closure cases we've been discussing, so it would be really valuable to hear how the process works for that type of adjudication. Sometimes workplace injury cases have different documentation requirements or move through different departments. The institutional knowledge point you made really hits home. It's crazy that we have to become DEO experts just to access benefits we're entitled to, but this thread has become like a unofficial user manual for navigating their broken system. Really hope the Tuesday morning strategy works for you! The success rate people are reporting with that timing plus the *67 trick seems pretty promising. Definitely keep us posted - your workplace injury angle might help other people dealing with similar separation issues. Good luck with your calls this week!

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I've been dealing with DEO for almost 2 years now helping family members navigate this system, and I wanted to add a few more resources that have worked recently: **New contact method that's been working:** Try texting "FLORIDA" to 67283 - it's DEO's new text service that sometimes connects you faster than calling. You can check claim status and sometimes get transferred to a live agent. **Weekend strategy:** Call the main line on Saturday mornings around 8am. I know they say they're closed, but sometimes you get connected to an overflow call center that can actually help with basic issues. **Document upload tip:** When uploading through CONNECT, try doing it between 11pm-1am. The system seems to process uploads faster during off-peak hours, and I've noticed adjudicators review overnight uploads first thing in the morning. **Local help:** Your state legislator's office can also intervene. I helped my sister contact her state representative's constituent services, and they got her adjudication resolved in 3 days after 8 weeks of waiting. Also want to mention - keep screenshots of everything! CONNECT has been glitchy lately and sometimes claim information disappears. Having screenshots saved me when an agent claimed there was no record of my nephew's previous calls. This thread is such a lifesaver - finally a place where we can share what actually works instead of DEO's useless generic advice!

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