DEO overpayment waiver help - got scary notice but didn't misreport anything!

Yes, you can definitely apply for an overpayment waiver! I went through this exact situation last year. Here's what you need to do: 1. Log into your CONNECT account 2. Look for the determination notice in your inbox (should match the email you received) 3. Click on the option to "Appeal this Determination" 4. Select "Request Overpayment Waiver" as your appeal reason 5. Upload all those screenshots you mentioned - documentation is KEY! For the waiver to be approved, you need to prove either: - The overpayment wasn't your fault (sounds like your case) - Repayment would cause extreme financial hardship Make sure to include proof of your current financial situation (bills, bank statements, etc.) along with a detailed explanation of how you accurately reported income. The fact you kept screenshots is SUPER smart and will help your case tremendously. Don't wait - file that appeal within the 20 days! The DEO is strict about that deadline.

DON'T PANIC!!!! The DEO does this ALL THE TIME and half the time it's THEIR system error not yours!!!! I got hit with a $4,200 overpayment notice in January and I was ready to throw up. Their stupid system somehow doubled-counted my severance pay even though I reported it correctly. They are IMPOSSIBLE to reach by phone - I tried for WEEKS and just got disconnected every single time. Complete garbage customer service!!! 😡😡😡 Make sure you appeal IMMEDIATELY and check your CONNECT inbox daily because sometimes they send requests for more info with really short deadlines and if you miss them you're screwed.

i had this happen last year they said i got overpaid $3k... turns out they made a mistake when calculating my base period wages. definitely appeal it. you can also try to call them but good luck with that lol i tried for 2 weeks straight and never got thru

After struggling with a similar overpayment issue, I found a service called Claimyr that actually got me through to a DEO agent in about 20 minutes. They basically call DEO for you and when they reach an agent, they connect you. Saved me days of frustration! Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj When I finally got through, the agent was able to see exactly what caused my overpayment flag and gave me specific advice on what documentation to include in my appeal. Made a huge difference compared to just guessing what they needed.

I actually used Claimyr last month and got through to DEO in about 15 minutes. Totally worth it after I spent 4 days trying to call them myself. The agent I talked to immediately fixed my issue.

Don't just focus on appealing the overpayment determination - also immediately request the waiver! These are technically two separate processes with DEO: 1. Appeal = challenging that an overpayment exists at all 2. Waiver = agreeing an overpayment exists but asking not to repay it Since the waiver form requires you to prove financial hardship, gather these documents now: - Current rent/mortgage statement - Utility bills - Pay stubs showing current income - Bank statements showing limited funds - Any medical bills or ongoing expenses - Documentation of dependents (your children) DEO is required by law to waive repayment if it wasn't your fault AND would cause financial hardship. The hardship part is subjective, so provide as much evidence as possible. Don't miss any deadlines - set calendar reminders for every step of the process!

To answer your question about timing - my waiver took about 6 weeks to get approved. And yes, collections are typically paused while your appeal/waiver is under review, but you should specifically ask for that when you submit. There's actually a checkbox in the system to request that collections be stayed during the review process. It's nerve-wracking waiting for their decision, but try not to stress too much. Based on what you've shared, you have a strong case for both appeal and waiver approval since you have documentation showing you reported correctly.

I got an overpayment notice too but mine was because I apparently answered a question wrong about being able to work. The whole system is so confusing with those weekly questions! I'm still fighting it 3 months later. Make sure you keep detailed notes of every conversation you have with DEO agents including their name and ID number if possible. I learned that the hard way...

You might also want to contact your state representative's office. When I had a similar issue last year and couldn't get anywhere with DEO directly, I reached out to my state rep and their constituent services person was amazing! They have special contacts at DEO who can often resolve issues faster than going through normal channels. Just Google "[your county] Florida state representative" to find yours. Their websites usually have a constituent services form you can fill out.

You'll need to provide your full name, contact info, claimant ID (from CONNECT), and a brief explanation of your issue. Also include the date of the overpayment notice and amount. They usually ask you to sign a privacy release form so they can legally discuss your case with DEO. My rep's office had mine resolved in about 2 weeks after I'd been getting nowhere for a month on my own!

One more tip that saved me - when you submit your appeal and waiver request, also send a physical copy by certified mail to the DEO Appeals Office. I know it seems redundant, but their online system sometimes has glitches and doesn't properly timestamp submissions. Having that certified mail receipt gives you backup proof of when you filed within the 20-day deadline. The mailing address is: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Appeals Office 107 E. Madison Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-4143 Also, don't forget to include a cover letter explaining that you're submitting both an appeal of the overpayment determination AND a request for overpayment waiver. Be very clear about which forms and documents relate to each request. You've got this! The fact that you kept screenshots shows you were being responsible about reporting - that's going to work in your favor.

I went through this same nightmare last year! DEO sent me an overpayment notice for $4,800 claiming I didn't report my part-time work correctly, but I had reported every penny. Here's what worked for me: First - breathe! You're going to get through this. The screenshots you saved are going to be your lifeline. I submitted both the appeal AND the waiver request simultaneously (like others mentioned, these are separate processes). For the financial hardship documentation, I included everything - rent receipts, grocery bills, childcare costs, medical expenses, utility bills. Don't be embarrassed about showing your financial struggles - it's literally what they need to see. What really helped me was writing a detailed timeline of exactly what I reported each week, with dates and amounts. I cross-referenced this with my bank statements and screenshots to show there were no discrepancies on my end. The whole process took about 2 months, but my waiver was approved and I didn't have to pay back a cent. The key is being thorough with your documentation and meeting every single deadline they give you. Start your appeal TODAY - don't wait even one more day. You've got a strong case since you were diligent about reporting and have proof!