DEO question: Claiming benefits after starting work but before first paycheck - rent due

You CANNOT claim for weeks you are working even if you haven't been paid yet!!! The question in CONNECT specifically asks if you WORKED not if you got paid. Lying about this is fraud and they WILL find out when your employer reports your wages to the state. DEO can make you pay back all benefits plus penalties and even pursue criminal charges for fraud. Not worth risking!!

The previous poster is correct about how DEO defines working weeks. When you claim, you need to report that you've found employment and the date you started working. However, there might be a partial benefit option if you worked less than full-time hours this first week. If you worked very few hours, you could potentially still qualify for a partial payment, depending on your earnings for that specific week. Did you work full-time hours from day one?

same thing happened to me last year...i told my landlord the situation and showed proof of my new job and when my first check would come. they gave me an extension without late fees. might be worth asking!

Here's how to properly handle this situation with DEO: 1. You must report that you're working when claiming weeks, even if you haven't received a paycheck. 2. Since you only worked 3 days this week, report your EARNINGS (not what you've been paid, but what you've earned) for those 3 days. Florida allows partial benefits if your earnings are less than your weekly benefit amount. 3. For the days you didn't work in your claim week, you may still receive a prorated benefit amount. 4. When claiming, answer all questions honestly. The system will calculate if you're eligible for any partial payment. For your rent situation, as others suggested, talk to your landlord with proof of employment. You might also contact your local emergency rental assistance program - many counties in Florida have resources for exactly this situation.

I had this same exact problem!!!! it totally sucks to be in that gap between jobs and paychecks. i ended up borrowing from my sister but not everyone has that option.

If you need to speak directly with a DEO agent about your specific situation, I'd recommend using Claimyr. I was trying for WEEKS to get through the DEO phone system with no luck. Claimyr got me connected to a real DEO agent in about 20 minutes who answered all my questions about a similar partial benefit situation. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj They'll actually call DEO for you and connect you when an agent is ready. Saved me hours of frustration and helped me understand exactly what I was eligible for.

To answer your question about the 3 days - yes, that definitely makes a difference. When you claim, you'll need to report your gross earnings (before taxes) for those 3 days. If that amount is less than your weekly benefit amount, you may qualify for partial unemployment for that week. The system calculates this automatically after you input your earnings. For example, if your weekly benefit amount is $275 and you earned $200 during those 3 days, the system may pay you the difference (minus 8% earnings disregard). This is all legal as long as you accurately report your work and earnings.

Also wanted to add - if you DO claim when you shouldn't, DEO's system will catch up with you in about 6-8 weeks when employer reports are processed. Then you'll get an overpayment notice requiring you to pay back everything plus penalties. Then if you don't pay it back fast enough they can garnish wages, take tax refunds, etc. NOT worth the short term help!

check if ur county has emergency rental help...in hillsborough they have a program that can help with this exact situation

Thank you everyone for your advice. I'm going to report my work accurately when I claim and see if I qualify for any partial benefits. I'll also look into the emergency rental assistance programs. I'm still worried but at least I know what my options are now.