Do work search requirements apply to May 2025 claim weeks? DEO confused me

Yes, if you're claiming weeks in May 2025, you absolutely need to complete and document 5 work search activities per week. The work search exemption for mass layoffs typically only lasts for the first 12 weeks of your claim. Since you started in February, that exemption period is probably ending or has already ended. Log into your CONNECT account and check your claimant home page - it should tell you if you have any exemptions. If it doesn't specifically say you're exempt from work searches, then you need to be doing them for every week you claim. Don't risk having your benefits stopped or getting an overpayment notice later!

same thing happen to me last yr!!! thought i was good with no searches then BAM they wanted proof. i had to pay back like $2000 😡 DEO sucks

The work search requirements in Florida are actually quite specific. For Regular Unemployment (RA), you must complete 5 work search contacts per week unless you have a specific exemption noted in your CONNECT account. Exemptions for mass layoffs typically expire after a set period (usually 6-12 weeks depending on the specific situation). After that, you're required to comply with all standard work search requirements. For May 2025 specifically, there have been no changes to the standard requirements. I'd recommend: 1. Log into CONNECT immediately and check your homepage for any messages about work search requirements 2. Look at the "Exemption Status" section of your account 3. Start documenting your work searches for all future weeks 4. For previous weeks where you didn't do work searches but should have, be prepared to explain your misunderstanding if questioned DEO has been fairly strict about work search enforcement in 2025, so don't assume you're exempt without confirmation.

I HATE how DEO never explains things clearly!! They just expect everyone to magically understand all their stupid rules. I got stuck with an overpayment last year because nobody told me the mass layoff exemption expired. Had to fight for 3 months to get them to waive it because it was THEIR fault for not making it clear!!! The whole system is designed to trick people into making mistakes so they can deny benefits. CONNECT is a disaster and you can never get through on the phone to ask questions.

When I needed to reach DEO about my work search confusion, I was getting nowhere with the regular phone line. Always busy signals or disconnections after waiting forever. I finally used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it actually got me through to a real person in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj The agent confirmed for me that my mass layoff exemption had expired and I needed to start doing work searches immediately. Saved me from potentially weeks of delayed payments while trying to get through on my own.

Yes, it worked for me! Got through in about 20 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. The agent was able to check my specific exemption status and tell me exactly when it expired.

All this work search stuff is confusing AF lol. I think it depends on ur claim type? Like if ur on regular unemployment its different than if ur on the other kind? idek anymore the rules change too much

Update: I managed to get through to DEO this morning. The agent confirmed my mass layoff exemption expired three weeks ago! I'm supposed to be doing 5 work search activities for each week I claim now. She said I need to start immediately for this coming claim, but they might go back and review my previous weeks too. I'm going to start applying for jobs right away. Thanks everyone for the help!

Wait I got confused reading this thread. I thought we only needed to do 3 work searches? When did it change to 5?