Florida DEO system is impossible to navigate - anyone else struggling to get their benefits?

same boat here...3 months waiting!!! DEO is a JOKE

The system is definitely frustrating, but there are some things that might help. First, check if your claim is stuck in adjudication - this means they're reviewing something specific. Common reasons include employment separation issues (they're checking if you quit or were fired) or income verification problems. Look on your CONNECT homepage under "Determination, Pending Issues and Decision Summary" to see if there's anything listed. If there is, you'll need to get through to an adjudicator specifically, not just any DEO rep. And yes, the $375 max weekly benefit in Florida is among the lowest in the nation - hasn't been updated since the 1990s.

I was in the exact same situation last month - claim stuck for 6 weeks with no updates. After trying EVERYTHING, I finally found Claimyr (claimyr.com) and it actually worked! They got me connected to a real DEO agent in about 15 minutes after I had been trying for weeks. The agent was able to see that my claim was stuck because of an employer response issue and pushed it through on the spot. My payments started coming two days later. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj Seriously worth it after all the frustration of trying to call DEO directly.

I work at a nonprofit that helps people with unemployment issues, and unfortunately, what you're experiencing is very common. The DEO system does feel like it's designed to be difficult, but it's mostly just underfunded and understaffed. A few tips that have helped our clients: 1. Make sure your identity verification through ID.me is complete - this is a common holdup 2. Check that your employer(s) properly responded to the DEO's request for separation information 3. If you're in adjudication, know that the current average wait is 6-8 weeks (yes, it's ridiculous) 4. Email your state representative AND senator with your claimant ID and contact info - they have liaisons who can often escalate issues 5. Continue claiming weeks every two weeks exactly as scheduled, even if you're not getting paid yet The system is deeply flawed, but don't give up. Once claims are approved, they typically pay all back weeks at once.

Does anyone know if there's a way to find out WHY your claim is being held up? I keep getting told different things by different people when I call. One says it's an employer issue, another says it's a system error, and a third tells me everything looks fine and should process soon (that was 3 weeks ago). I just want a straight answer about what's happening with my claim!

If you're able to get through on the phone, specifically ask for your claim to be escalated to a supervisor or claims examiner. Regular call center staff often can't see all the details or have limited authority to make changes. Be persistent and ask exactly what's holding up your claim - there should be notes in the system. Request a "fact-finding interview" if your claim shows any issues. This gets you in front of an adjudicator who can actually resolve problems. Also, check your spam/junk folders regularly. DEO often sends important notices that get filtered out, and missing these can further delay your claim.

Update: I used the state rep advice from above and IT WORKED! I emailed my representative on Monday, got a response Tuesday saying they'd forwarded my info to their DEO liaison, and this morning my claim status changed from 'pending' to 'processed' with payment dates for all my back weeks! Don't give up - try this route if you're still stuck.

anybody else notice how they make the work search requirements super complicated on purpose?? 5 searches per week and they gotta all be different methods and different companies and if u mess up ONE DETAIL they deny everything!! system is rigged!!

my neighbor works at deo and says they're super understaffed right now... like 30% of normal levels because of budget cuts. thats why nobodys answering phones

dont 4get to check ur CONNECT inbox!!! somtimes they send messages there but dont email u about them!!! missed a fact finding deadline bc i didnt know they messaged me there n had to start my whole claim over