Filing an appeal with Florida DEO - step by step process needed urgently

I successfully appealed my determination last month. Here's what you need to do: 1. Log into CONNECT and click on the 'Determination, Pending Issue and Decision Summary' link 2. Find the determination you want to appeal and click 'Appeal this Decision' 3. Fill out the appeal form explaining WHY the determination is incorrect (include any evidence you have like emails from your employer about the restructuring) 4. After submission, you'll get a confirmation number and eventually a hearing date The whole process took about 5 weeks for me from appeal to hearing. I recommend gathering any documentation that proves you didn't voluntarily quit - emails, termination letter, texts with your manager, etc. You don't necessarily need a lawyer, but being organized and clear in your hearing is key.

OMG the same EXACT thing happened to me!!! My employer told unemployment I "abandoned my position" when they literally cut my hours to ZERO and told me not to come in anymore. The appeal hearing was actually pretty fair though. The judge called me, called my former boss, and listened to both sides. I had saved text messages proving I was told not to come in, and the judge ruled in my favor. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!

Just adding a few important points: 1. Appeals are heard by telephone in most cases now, so you don't need to worry about being in town. You'll receive a Notice of Hearing with the exact date and time about 10-14 days before the hearing. 2. You absolutely MUST attend the hearing even if you submit all your evidence in advance. If you miss it, your appeal will almost certainly be dismissed. 3. The hearing is run by an Appeals Referee who works for the DEO but is separate from the people who made the initial determination. 4. Both you and your former employer will be able to testify and present evidence. 5. Prepare a brief, clear statement about why you did not quit voluntarily. Practice it ahead of time. The appeal success rate is actually pretty good when claimants have evidence and attend their hearing.

just make sure u appeal by the deadline!!! i missed mine by 2 days and they wouldnt even look at my case. so unfair

I tried calling DEO like 50 times trying to get help with my appeal and could never get through. Busy signals or disconnections every time. Finally I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me connected to a real DEO agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj The agent walked me through exactly what I needed to put on my appeal form and helped me understand what kind of evidence would be most helpful for my specific situation. Was so much better than trying to figure it all out myself.

ALSO!!!!! Make sure you keep claiming your weeks even while your appeal is processing!!! If you win, they'll only pay you for weeks you actually claimed during the appeal process. I learned this the hard way and lost out on like $1200 because I stopped claiming thinking it didn't matter while appealing. BIG MISTAKE!!!

Back in 2022 i had a similar issue my boss said i was fired for attendance but i had doctors notes for everything. the appeal hearing took about 30 minites and the appeals judge was actually pretty cool. dont be nervous just tell the truth and have your evidence ready. i won my case and got backpay for all the weeks during the appeal process

After your hearing concludes, you'll typically receive a written decision within 2-3 weeks by mail and in your CONNECT inbox. If you win, payment usually processes within 1-2 weeks after that. If you lose, you can file a second appeal to the Unemployment Appeals Commission (UAC), but you only have 20 days from the date of the referee's decision to do so. Overall, from initial appeal to money in your account can take anywhere from 8-12 weeks if you win. It's definitely a test of patience.