DEO hit me with $4,200 overpayment demand - anyone successfully appeal these?

Yes, I've successfully appealed an overpayment! First, don't panic - you have options. You need to gather ALL documentation showing your reported income: payment stubs, bank statements showing deposits, any communications with employers, and copies of your weekly certifications where you reported income. When you file the appeal, be VERY specific about why you believe the determination is incorrect. Don't just say you can't afford it (though that's understandable) - you need to challenge the factual basis of their determination. Was there a specific week they claim you misreported? Focus on that. Also, if you truly can't pay it back, you can request a waiver of overpayment based on financial hardship, but that's separate from the appeal process. The appeal needs to focus on why the determination itself is wrong. Don't miss that 20-day deadline! You can file the appeal through CONNECT under "Determination, Pending Issue and Decision Summary."

OMG I'm dealing with this EXACT SAME THING right now!!!! They said I was overpaid $2,800 because I "didn't report income correctly" but I SWEAR I reported everything exactly as I got paid. The system is so confusing and glitchy - sometimes it wouldn't even let me enter the right amounts!!! I've been trying to call them for TWO WEEKS and can't get through to anyone. This is so unfair!!!

The DEO overpayment system is absolutely broken. They're hitting thousands of Floridians with these notices hoping people will just pay without fighting back. I had a $5,600 overpayment notice last year for "unreported earnings" that was 100% THEIR ERROR. Here's what I did: 1. Filed the appeal immediately through CONNECT 2. Called DEO every single day (impossible to get through) 3. Finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get connected to an actual human at DEO - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj 4. Got a DEO agent to look at my file and discover it was a SYSTEM ERROR on their end 5. Had to wait 6 weeks for appeal hearing 6. Won my case and had the overpayment removed DON'T give up, but be prepared for a fight. And definitely get someone on the phone who can look at your specific case details.

man i had this happen in 2023 and i just ignored it tbh. they sent me some letters and I was like whatever. eventually they started taking it out of my tax refund but only like $800 a year. cheaper than paying it all back lol

When I got an overpayment notice, I discovered it was because they were counting my gross income instead of net income for my 1099 work. I was reporting what actually hit my bank account after fees were taken out, but DEO wanted the pre-fee amount. Check if something similar happened in your case. Also, double-check if they're looking at the right dates for income reporting. Sometimes the pay date from your employer doesn't match the week DEO thinks it should be reported for.

To answer your follow-up question - no, you don't need to file weekly claims if you're not currently on unemployment. For the appeal, I would definitely include a detailed letter explaining the situation. Be sure to include: 1. A timeline of all your work and payments received 2. Copies of payment records that match what you reported 3. Screenshots of your weekly certification answers if you have them 4. Any communications with employers about pay dates The more documentation you have, the better your chances. And don't worry too much about the hearing - it's usually by phone, and the appeals referee will walk you through the process. Just stick to the facts and have your documentation ready.

i think everyones forgetting something important - did you get a determination letter or was it a fact finding? cuz those r different. if its just fact finding you still have a chance to explain before they make final decision

One important thing to know is that Florida law distinguishes between fraud and non-fraud overpayments. If they're alleging fraud (intentional misreporting), the penalties are much higher and can include a 15% penalty plus interest. Check your determination letter carefully - does it say anything about fraud or misrepresentation? If it's just a non-fraud overpayment, you might qualify for a waiver if repayment would cause extraordinary financial hardship. For your appeal, you'll need to focus on these specific issues: 1. Was the determination of overpayment correct? (dates, amounts, etc.) 2. If there was an error in reporting, was it unintentional? 3. If the overpayment determination is correct, do you qualify for a waiver? You can submit your appeal directly through CONNECT, and I recommend doing it that way so you have electronic confirmation of submission. Keep in mind that the appeals division is severely backlogged, so it might take 2-3 months before your hearing.

Update on my situation since I shared it above - I had my appeal hearing last month and WON! The referee agreed that I had correctly reported my income and that DEO made the error. My advice after going through this: 1. Be super organized with your documentation 2. Practice explaining your situation clearly and concisely 3. Answer only what the referee asks - don't volunteer extra information 4. Stay calm and professional even if you're frustrated I really think getting someone on the phone before the hearing made all the difference. I was able to understand exactly what they were claiming was wrong, which helped me prepare the right documentation for my case.