DEO requesting 2020 work proof for pre-COVID claim - retired now & worried about repayment

This sounds like a PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) verification issue. When you reapplied in 2023, they likely processed your claim under pandemic-related extensions that required different documentation than regular state unemployment. DEO is now doing mass audits of all PUA claims, even older ones, looking for proof of employment or self-employment that qualified you for benefits. The key is understanding exactly what program you were on - was it regular Reemployment Assistance (RA) or one of the pandemic programs? Check your CONNECT portal for 'Monetary Determination' letters that show your program type. If it says PUA anywhere, that explains the 2020 documentation request. You'll need to explain your specific situation in writing through the CONNECT portal - upload a signed statement explaining your employment gap due to caregiving responsibilities and your mother's illness.

I went through almost this exact situation last year. The key is to respond to their request with SOMETHING - don't ignore it even if you didn't work during that period! Login to CONNECT and go to the "Determination, Pending Issues and Decision Summary" section. There should be a fact-finding questionnaire about employment verification. You need to upload a statement explaining your caregiving situation and timeline. Include as many specific details as possible - dates of relocations, your mother's medical timeline, when you returned to Florida, etc. Also include any documents that verify these events (death certificate, travel receipts between states, nursing home paperwork). If you properly reported your work history when you applied, you should be okay. The system is flagging accounts that haven't provided documentation yet, not necessarily saying you did anything wrong. But you MUST respond by their deadline or they'll automatically determine you were overpaid.

OMG they are SILL doing these audit things??!! I thought they finished all that last year. The DEO is such a mess honestly. I went through this in 2022 and they wanted docs from like 18 months earlier. I couldn't get ANYONE on the phone for weeks. Kept calling that 800 number and getting hung up on or waiting for hours. Total nightmare. They ended up saying I owed $9600 back which I absolutely don't have. I'm still fighting it with an appeal but the hearing keeps getting delayed. The system is completely broken!!!

wait im confused. why r they asking for 2020 work proof now in 2025?? isnt there like a time limit on this stuff? seems sketchy tbh

I'm also 65+ and had something similar happen. You need to be VERY CAREFUL here. DEO is reviewing old pandemic claims and if you can't provide what they want, they will demand ALL money back plus penalties. Happened to my neighbor who now owes $14,000! She's on fixed income too and they're garnishing her social security. Did you save any rejection letters from jobs you applied to during that time? Any emails about interviews? Work search records? ANYTHING that shows you were looking for work before/after your caretaking period could help. Also get a copy of your mother's death certificate and any paperwork showing you were her caretaker. If you have any money, I honestly recommend hiring an unemployment attorney. It's worth it to avoid the overpayment nightmare.

This happened to me !! Load up ur documents to CONNECT asap. Look under the 'Determination, Pending Issues and Decision Summary' page. U need to submit something or they'll automatically say u owe everything back. My sister got hit with $7800 overpayment cuz she ignored the notices!

One important point that hasn't been mentioned yet: If you do get hit with an overpayment notice despite your best efforts to explain your situation, immediately file for an appeal and also submit a Request for Waiver of Overpayment. There's a specific form for this in CONNECT under the Overpayment section. The waiver allows you to request forgiveness of the debt if repayment would cause extraordinary financial hardship (which it sounds like it would in your case) AND you received the payments through no fault of your own. Document your fixed income, monthly expenses, and any medical costs. Also, every communication you submit should specifically state that you provided all information truthfully at the time of application and had no intent to receive benefits you weren't entitled to. This helps establish the 'no fault' element that's crucial for getting a waiver approved.

I've been trying to call DEO for 2 days straight about a similar issue and can't get through. Just constant busy signals or it hangs up after the automated message. Has anyone found a way to actually speak to a human being there??

Thank you all for the advice! I logged into CONNECT and found the fact-finding questionnaire about 2020 employment verification. I'm gathering all the documents I can find - my mother's death certificate, hospice paperwork, some emails about job applications, and I'm writing a detailed statement explaining everything. I'll also check out Claimyr to try reaching an agent directly. I'm still really worried, but at least I have a plan now. I'll update once I hear back from DEO after submitting everything.