Florida DEO backdating question - are we really limited to only 12 weeks of benefits?

Florida Reemployment Assistance (what they call unemployment) DOES have a 12-week base duration for regular state benefits when the unemployment rate is below 5%. But that's not related to backdating - that's just the total number of weeks you can receive benefits in your benefit year. For backdating, you need to show "good cause" for why you didn't apply earlier. The request needs to be submitted through CONNECT, and you'll need documentation explaining why you didn't apply right away. The pandemic-era relaxed backdating rules are gone though, so it's gotten harder to get approved.

DEO's website is misleading about this. The 12-week limit is for your TOTAL benefit period, not related to backdating. I was in the exact same situation in 2024 - lost my job in retail, waited to file, then tried to backdate. I had to fight for it, but eventually succeeded. Here's what works: call DEO directly and request to speak with a claims specialist about backdating (NOT a regular agent). Regular agents will just read from scripts and confuse you more. Getting through is nearly impossible though unless you use Claimyr (claimyr.com) - it's the only way I finally reached someone who could help. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj

florida only gives 12 week's total now they cut it down from what it used to be. doesnt matter when u file, u only get 12 weeks max. my buddy tried 2 get backpay from december and they denied him said he waited 2 long

OK LISTEN!! The DEO system is COMPLETELY BROKEN and designed to deny benefits!! I lost my job last year and tried backdating and they denied me THREE TIMES even though I had legit reasons!!! They WILL fight you on this because they don't want to pay those extra weeks!!! The whole "good cause" thing is BS - they reject almost everything now. If you do try to backdate, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING and be ready to appeal!!! The system is RIGGED against us!!!

Here's the factual information you need: 1. Florida currently provides a maximum of 12 weeks of regular RA benefits when the state unemployment rate is below 5%. This can increase up to 23 weeks if unemployment rises. 2. Backdating is a separate issue from benefit duration. You can request backdating through the "Request to Modify Claim Date" form in your CONNECT account. 3. For backdating to be approved, you need to demonstrate "good cause" - acceptable reasons include illness, DEO system issues, employer misinformation, or other factors that prevented timely filing. 4. If your backdating is approved, your 12-week benefit period would start from the new effective date, not from when you actually filed. 5. Documentation is crucial - gather any evidence showing why you couldn't file earlier (medical records, proof of technical issues, etc.). If you need to speak with someone at DEO about your specific situation, call early in the morning and be prepared for a long wait.

I'm confused about something related to this... my claim is currently pending adjudication and has been for 5 weeks. Does that time count against my 12 weeks? Or does the 12 week counter only start after I'm approved?

i just went thru this exact thing!!!! they told me 'good cause' for backdating HAS to be something like u were in the hospital or the CONNECT website was down. saying u thought you'd find work quickly isnt good enough for them. sorry but they're super strict now :( i tried for 3 weeks and gave up

One more important point: If your backdating request is denied, you still get the full 12 weeks from your actual filing date. You're not losing any of your total eligible weeks - you're just missing out on potential past weeks. Also, make sure you're completing your 5 work search contacts each week while you wait for a decision. Even if you're focused on the backdating issue, you need to keep up with current requirements to avoid problems with your existing claim.

I went through this exact situation last year and want to share what I learned. The 12-week limit and backdating are two separate issues that everyone gets confused about (including me at first!). Florida's 12 weeks is your total benefit duration - that's just how long you can collect, period. Backdating is about when those 12 weeks START counting from. So if you get approved for backdating to January, you'd get benefits for January through mid-April (12 weeks total). If denied, you get benefits from when you filed last week through 12 weeks from then. For the backdating request, be really honest about your situation but also emphasize any challenges you faced. Did you have trouble accessing CONNECT? Were you dealing with any personal issues? Even small things can help your case. I initially got denied but appealed with better documentation and eventually got approved. The key is persistence - don't give up after the first denial. And definitely keep claiming your weekly benefits while you wait for the backdating decision. Good luck!

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - lost my job in hospitality in February but just filed last week. Reading through all these responses is really eye-opening about how the system actually works vs what I thought. From what I'm gathering, the key seems to be getting the right person on the phone who actually understands the backdating process. Has anyone had success with the online "Request to Modify Claim Date" form, or do you really need to speak with someone directly? I'm worried about wasting time with the wrong approach. Also, for those who got approved - did you submit your backdating request immediately after filing your initial claim, or did you wait? I'm wondering if there's a strategic timing aspect to this that I should know about. The whole 12-week vs backdating confusion makes so much more sense now. Thank you everyone for clarifying that - the DEO website definitely doesn't explain it clearly!

Just wanted to add something that might help - I work for a local legal aid organization and we see these backdating cases regularly. One thing that often gets overlooked is that Florida Statute 443.091 actually defines "good cause" more broadly than what DEO agents sometimes tell people over the phone. The statute includes "other circumstances beyond the individual's control" as acceptable reasons for delayed filing. This could potentially cover situations where someone reasonably believed they would find work quickly, especially if you were actively job searching during that time and can document it. If you do get denied initially, don't just give up. The appeals process exists for a reason, and we've seen cases where people successfully argued that their circumstances constituted good cause even when it wasn't obvious medical or technical issues. Keep records of your job search activities from January/February - application confirmations, interview emails, etc. This shows you were actively trying to return to work rather than just ignoring your unemployment status. The 12-week limit is definitely separate from backdating as others have explained. Florida's benefit duration is unfortunately among the shortest in the nation, but if you can get that backdating approved, those weeks count from your amended start date.

I'm going through something similar right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I lost my retail job in December but didn't file until two weeks ago because I kept thinking I'd land something quickly (sound familiar?). After reading all these responses, I finally understand that the 12-week limit isn't about how long you can backdate - it's your total benefit period. That was my biggest confusion! I was panicking thinking I'd already "used up" weeks just by waiting to file. I submitted the "Request to Modify Claim Date" form yesterday and I'm planning to call DEO this week to speak with a claims specialist. Based on what @Mateo Sanchez shared about Florida Statute 443.091, I'm feeling more optimistic that my active job search during those months might actually qualify as "circumstances beyond my control" - I mean, I was genuinely trying to avoid needing unemployment by finding work first. One question for those who've been through this - should I expect to hear back on the backdating request before my regular weekly benefits start, or do these processes run on separate timelines? I don't want to do anything that might mess up my current claim while trying to fix the backdating issue. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's made this whole confusing process feel way less overwhelming!

I'm in almost the exact same situation as you - lost my job in hospitality back in January but just filed last week thinking I'd find something quickly. Reading through everyone's responses has been so educational! The biggest relief is understanding that the 12-week benefit limit and backdating are completely separate issues. I was terrified that waiting to file meant I'd already "lost" those weeks, but now I understand it's about when your 12-week benefit period STARTS, not about missing out entirely. Based on what others have shared here, I'm planning to submit the "Request to Modify Claim Date" form today and then try to get through to a claims specialist by phone. The documentation advice from @Mateo Sanchez about Florida Statute 443.091 is really helpful - I've got emails and job applications from January/February that show I was actively job searching, which hopefully demonstrates "circumstances beyond my control." It's frustrating that the DEO website doesn't explain any of this clearly, but I'm grateful for everyone here sharing their real experiences. Even if the backdating doesn't work out, at least I know I'll still get my full 12 weeks from when I filed. Fingers crossed we both get approved for those earlier weeks!

I'm dealing with this exact same situation right now! Lost my server job in early February but didn't file until this week because I kept thinking something would come through. This thread has been a lifesaver - I had no idea the 12-week limit and backdating were separate things. The confusion makes total sense now. Florida gives you 12 weeks of benefits total, but backdating is about when those 12 weeks START counting from. So if I get approved to backdate to February, I'd get benefits from February through early May (12 weeks). If denied, I get benefits from this week forward for 12 weeks. I'm definitely going to submit that "Request to Modify Claim Date" form and try to get through to a claims specialist. Reading about Florida Statute 443.091 and "circumstances beyond individual's control" gives me hope - I have job applications and interview emails from February/March showing I was actively trying to avoid needing unemployment. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! It's reassuring to know so many people have been through this same situation. The restaurant industry has been brutal lately and it's easy to think you'll bounce back quickly. Now I know to file immediately if this ever happens again!

This is such a common situation and I really feel for everyone going through this! I just want to add one more piece of practical advice that helped me when I was in a similar spot last year. When you're gathering your job search documentation for the backdating request, don't just focus on applications and interviews. Also include any correspondence with your former employer about potential return dates, any temporary/gig work you might have done while job hunting, or even unemployment workshops you attended. DEO seems to look favorably on evidence that shows you were actively engaged in returning to work rather than just passively waiting. Also, if you're having trouble getting through to DEO by phone (and let's be honest, we all are), try calling right at 7:30 AM when they open - that's when I finally got through to someone who could actually help rather than just read from a script. The most important thing is don't give up after the first denial if it happens. I've seen too many people just accept that initial "no" when they actually had valid grounds for backdating. The appeals process exists for a reason, and having all this documentation ready makes a huge difference. Hang in there everyone - the system is frustrating but it's not impossible to navigate!

I'm currently going through this exact situation and wanted to share what I've learned so far from my experience with DEO backdating. Lost my job in hospitality in December but didn't file until three weeks ago because I genuinely thought I'd find something quickly (lesson learned!). The 12-week limit vs backdating confusion is SO real - I was panicking thinking I'd already lost those weeks by waiting to file. But after speaking with a claims specialist (took me calling at exactly 7:30 AM for three days straight to get through), I finally understand they're completely separate issues. Here's what the specialist told me: Florida's 12 weeks is your total benefit duration regardless of when you start receiving them. Backdating determines when those 12 weeks BEGIN counting from. So if approved for backdating to December, I'd get benefits December through March. If denied, I get benefits from my filing date forward for 12 weeks. For the "good cause" requirement, I submitted documentation of active job searches during those months I didn't file - email confirmations from applications, text messages from potential employers about "calling next week," even screenshots of Indeed applications. The specialist said this helps show I had reasonable belief I'd return to work soon rather than just ignoring my unemployment status. Still waiting on my backdating decision, but my regular weekly benefits started processing normally in the meantime. They run on separate timelines, so don't let the backdating request delay your current claim maintenance. Keep fighting for it if you get initially denied - the appeals process seems to be where many people actually succeed. Good luck everyone!