DEO week claims missed by a few days - reactivated account, can I still claim those weeks?

The same exact thing happened to me back in January! I missed claiming by just TWO days and had to reactivate. In my case, I had to call DEO directly to get those weeks released for claiming. They're technically supposed to let you claim weeks up to 14 days after the deadline, but sometimes the system automatically locks you out anyway and u need a rep to manually fix it.

This is a common issue with the CONNECT system. When you reactivate your claim, DEO will typically only let you claim weeks going forward, not the missed weeks. However, there is a specific process for requesting to claim weeks retroactively: 1. You need to contact DEO directly and request a "Request to Modify Claim Date" form 2. Explain that you missed your claiming window by only a few days 3. Provide good cause for why you missed the deadline (illness, technical issues, etc.) Be prepared that they may still deny the request if they don't consider your reason valid. The official policy is that missed weeks are your responsibility, but many agents will help you if it was just a few days and you have a reasonable explanation.

I struggled getting through to DEO for WEEKS with a similar issue. Busy signals, disconnects, never-ending holds - it was maddening. Finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which connected me to a DEO agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj The agent I spoke with was able to release my missed weeks for claiming right on the call. Definitely worth it when you need to actually talk to someone at DEO instead of just hoping they'll eventually answer their phones.

Let me clarify something important here - there's a difference between the CONNECT system automatically making you reactivate vs. you actually having to file a new claim. If you just had to answer the reactivation questions but kept the same claim, you might still be able to claim those weeks once the reactivation processes. Check your CONNECT homepage after the reactivation fully processes (usually 24-48 hours). Sometimes the weeks will appear automatically for claiming. If not, then you'll need to contact DEO as others have suggested. Also important: Florida allows retroactive claiming in certain circumstances under the "good cause" provision. Forgetting doesn't usually qualify as good cause, but system issues, medical emergencies, or employer verification delays might. Be prepared to explain your specific situation.

u might get lucky my uncle missed his claiming week and DEO let him claim it like 10 days later but my roommate missed his and they said too bad. i think it depends which agent u get tbh some are helpful some dont care

I want to add one more important thing - while you're working on getting those missed weeks, make absolutely sure you don't miss your next claiming window. Set multiple calendar reminders. The system is now going to be extra sensitive to your claiming pattern, and missing another set of weeks could result in a much more complicated situation. Also, when you do get through to DEO (whether through regular calling or using a service), be sure to specifically ask them to note in your file that you attempted to claim within a reasonable time frame. Having that notation can help if there are any future issues with your claim.

THE EXACT SAME THING JUST HAPPENED TO ME!!!! I missed by 2 days and now Im freaking out because I cant pay my electric bill without that money. I called like 50 times today and NOTHING!!! This system is rigged against us I swear... how can they expect people to remember exact dates when we're already stressed about not having a job???

Has anyone checked if the DEO Connect app sends reminders? I've been using it instead of the website and it seems to work better plus I think it notifies you when it's time to claim weeks but im not 100% sure

UPDATE: You guys are not going to believe this! I checked CONNECT this morning and the missed weeks actually showed up for claiming! I didn't have to call anyone. Maybe the system just needed 24 hours after reactivation to process everything? Whatever happened, I'm just relieved I can claim those weeks. Thanks for all the advice everyone!

So glad to hear it worked out for you! This is actually pretty common - the CONNECT system often needs that 24-48 hour processing window after reactivation before it releases the missed weeks. For anyone else dealing with this, definitely wait at least 2 full business days before panicking and trying to call DEO. The system is slow but it usually does the right thing eventually. And yes, definitely set those reminders! I use Google Calendar with email AND text notifications because missing claiming weeks is way too stressful.

This is exactly why I always recommend people set up multiple reminders! I learned the hard way after missing my claiming window once early on. Now I have reminders set for 3 days before, 1 day before, and the morning of my claiming date. The stress of potentially losing benefits is just not worth it. For anyone reading this - the claiming schedule is usually every two weeks on the same day, so once you know your pattern, set those recurring reminders immediately. Also keep a backup method like writing it on a physical calendar just in case your phone dies or something. The CONNECT system can be forgiving sometimes like it was for Aaliyah, but you definitely don't want to test it more than once!

This thread is so helpful for understanding what to expect! I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where I missed my claiming window by just one day due to a family emergency. Reading about Aaliyah's success story gives me hope that the weeks might show up automatically after reactivation. For anyone else going through this - I found it helpful to screenshot your CONNECT homepage before and after reactivation so you have documentation of what weeks were available when. That way if you need to call DEO later, you can reference exactly what happened and when. Also, I noticed that the system seems to work better early in the morning (like 6-7 AM) when fewer people are trying to access it. Just my two cents from dealing with this frustrating system!

Just want to add my experience for anyone still dealing with this - I had almost the exact same situation happen to me a few months ago. Missed my claiming window by 4 days due to work training that went longer than expected. Like others mentioned, the key is really waiting that full 48 hours after reactivation before panicking. In my case, the weeks appeared on day 2 and I was able to claim them normally. One thing I learned that might help others: if you do end up having to call DEO, try calling right at 7:30 AM when they open. I got through on my second try that way, whereas calling later in the day was hopeless. Also, have your Social Security number, PIN, and claim details ready before you call - they'll ask for all of that right away and being prepared speeds up the process. The Florida system is definitely frustrating but it's not as harsh as it initially seems. Most people I know who missed by just a few days were able to get their weeks released one way or another. Stay persistent and don't give up!

This entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. It's amazing how much collective wisdom there is here about navigating the CONNECT system. For anyone new to unemployment benefits like I am, the key takeaways seem to be: 1) Set multiple reminders for claiming dates, 2) Wait 24-48 hours after reactivation before panicking, 3) Take screenshots for documentation, 4) Call DEO right at 7:30 AM if you need to speak with someone, and 5) Have all your info ready before calling. It's reassuring to see that the system, while frustrating, usually does work out for people who miss by just a few days. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences - this kind of peer support makes dealing with government bureaucracy so much less stressful!

This thread is incredibly valuable! As someone who went through a similar panic when I missed my claiming window by 5 days last year, I can definitely confirm that the 24-48 hour wait after reactivation is crucial. In my case, I was frantically calling DEO for hours before someone on a forum like this told me to just wait it out. Sure enough, the weeks appeared automatically after about 36 hours. One additional tip I'd add: if you're prone to forgetting dates like I am, consider linking your claiming schedule to something you already do regularly - like payday at a previous job, or a monthly bill due date. I now claim my weeks the same day my rent is due, so I never forget either one! Also, the CONNECT mobile app does send push notifications if you enable them, which can be a helpful backup reminder system. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences here - it's posts like these that helped me through my own stressful situation, and it's awesome seeing the community pay it forward!