Finally got my DEO benefits after 5 months and a TV news interview!
Just had to share this crazy journey with my DEO claim! After FIVE MONTHS of getting nowhere with regular channels, I ended up interviewing with Fox 35 Orlando yesterday about my unemployment situation. The reporter told me she also interviewed the politicians I had contacted trying to get my benefits released. The wild thing is - I checked CONNECT this morning and it finally shows they released the money! Nothing in my bank account yet, but hoping it posts tomorrow. It's absolutely ridiculous that it took getting a news station involved to make DEO do their job. Anyone else have to go to extreme measures to get their rightful benefits? Also, anyone know how long it typically takes for the money to hit your account after CONNECT shows it's been released?
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Abigail Spencer
Wow congrats on finally getting movement!! Thats INSANE that you had to literally go on the news to get your benefits. What was wrong with your claim that made it take 5 months?? My claim has been stuck in adjudication for 3 weeks and im already panicking about paying my rent next month. Did they give you backpay for all the weeks you should have been paid?
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Anita George
•Thanks! It was stuck in adjudication for 2 months, then moved to 'pending issue' for another 3. No explanation whatsoever. I called literally 100+ times, left messages on the callback system, emailed everyone I could find. Finally contacted my state representative who helped me escalate it, but even that didn't work until I mentioned to them I was speaking to the news. Suddenly things started moving! And yes, they're supposed to be paying all back weeks - that's why I'm anxious to see if the full amount hits my account tomorrow.
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Logan Chiang
this happened to me last year!!! mine was stuck for 3 months and i couldnt get anyone on the phone EVER. the money should be in ur account by tomorrow morning usually takes like 24-48 hrs once it says released
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Isla Fischer
•@original poster - When you were stuck in pending, were you still submitting your work search requirements each week? I'm in a similar situation (3 months pending) and I'm wondering if I should keep filing my weeks even though I'm not getting paid. Also, did the DEO pay you interest for all that waiting time? They should!
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Miles Hammonds
As someone who's worked with DEO claims for years, I can tell you this is unfortunately becoming more common. The system is absolutely overwhelmed right now. For anyone reading this who's experiencing similar delays: 1. Yes, ALWAYS continue claiming your weeks even if payment is pending 2. The money typically posts to your account within 1-2 business days after release 3. Contact your state representative/senator (this is often the most effective route) 4. Keep detailed records of all communication attempts with DEO 5. If your claim shows 'Released' in CONNECT, you should see the funds soon Unfortunately, the DEO does not pay interest on delayed benefits, though they should. The current adjudication backlog is approximately 8-12 weeks for many claims, especially those with employer disputes or identity verification issues.
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Ruby Blake
•LOL at "the system is overwhelmed right now." The system has been "overwhelmed" for YEARS. DEO is just incompetent and doesn't care about regular people. They make the system difficult ON PURPOSE so fewer people get benefits. Why else would they need NEWS COVERAGE to do their jobs????
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Micah Franklin
I went through something similar after being laid off from my hotel job when covid numbers went back up. After 2 months of silence, I found this service called Claimyr that got me through to a DEO agent in about 20 minutes when I'd been unable to get anyone on the phone for weeks. The agent was able to tell me exactly what the hold-up was (some employer response issue) and escalated my claim. Got my money about 2 weeks later. Might help others here: claimyr.com - they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj
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Ella Harper
•does this actually work?? im desperate at this point. been trying to call DEO for 3 weeks straight and either get busy signals or it hangs up on me after the automated message. might try this tomorrow if the regular number keeps failing me
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Anita George
Just wanted to update everyone - the money finally hit my account this morning! ALL of the back payments were included too. Such a relief after fighting for 5 months. The news segment is scheduled to air tonight on Fox 35. Wild that media pressure seems to be the most effective way to get DEO to process claims. For those still waiting - don't give up, and definitely consider reaching out to your local representatives AND local news if you've been waiting an unreasonable amount of time.
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Logan Chiang
•congrats!!!! so happy for u. im gonna email my state rep today. been putting it off but seeing ur success makes me think its worth trying
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Abigail Spencer
Has anyone else noticed that DEO seems to fast-track claims when they get negative publicity? My coworkers claim sat for months until his wife posted about it on Twitter and tagged a bunch of FL politicians. Magically approved 2 days later. The system is so broken.
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Miles Hammonds
•This is definitely a pattern. While DEO won't officially acknowledge it, claims that receive attention from elected officials or media do tend to be resolved more quickly. The real issue is the severe understaffing at DEO combined with an outdated CONNECT system that's prone to flagging legitimate claims for unnecessary review. If you're stuck, contact your state representative AND continue claiming weeks while keeping detailed records of all employment separations and work search activities.
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Isla Fischer
I'm a little confused about something... does being on the news affect how quickly they review your claim? My adjudication has been pending for 7 weeks now and I'm getting desperate. I've been doing the work search requirements faithfully every week. Should I be contacting the news too? Or maybe my state senator? I'm not sure how any of this works and the DEO website is so confusing!!!
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Anita George
•In my experience, yes - public pressure definitely helped. Here's what I'd recommend in this order: 1) Try calling DEO daily (I know it's nearly impossible to get through) 2) Email your state representative AND senator (Google "who is my Florida state representative") 3) If those don't work after a week or two, then consider contacting local news. The squeaky wheel gets the grease with DEO. Just be prepared to share your story publicly if you go the news route!
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