How to access DEO CONNECT account for W2s after moving states and losing ID.me phone access?
I relocated from Florida to New York in September after escaping a difficult domestic situation, and now I'm trying to get my tax documents together. I need to access my W2 form from my Florida unemployment benefits, but I can't log into my CONNECT account because the ID.me verification requires my old phone number which I no longer have access to. I've tried calling the DEO but keep getting disconnected before speaking with anyone. Has anyone dealt with this out-of-state access issue before? What's the process for retrieving tax documents when you can't complete the ID.me verification? Getting anxious as tax deadline is approaching...
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Nina Fitzgerald
This happens more often than you'd think! You have a couple options: 1) You can request a phone number change with ID.me directly by going to help.id.me and submitting a support request for 'phone number update' - takes 2-3 days but works, or 2) Call the DEO technical support line at 833-352-7759 and specifically ask for the 'special assistance team' that handles account recovery. They should be able to help you access your account through alternative verification. Make sure to have your SSN, previous address in FL, and any claim ID numbers handy.
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Kylo Ren
•Thank you so much for the help! I'll try the ID.me support first since that seems quicker. Do you know if they'll ask for any documentation to prove identity for the phone number change? I'm just worried because some of my documents still have my Florida address.
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Jason Brewer
OMG I had the EXACT same problem!!! i moved to ohio last year and couldnt get my w2 either because my phone was disconnected. the DEO is THE WORST and you literally cant get through to them no matter how many times you call. i tried for 3 WEEKS and never got thru to a real person. so frustrating!!!!
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Kiara Fisherman
•What did you end up doing to resolve it? Did you ever get your tax forms?
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Jason Brewer
you should try Claimyr if you're trying to reach DEO by phone. it's the only thing that worked for me after weeks of getting disconnected. they got me through to a real person in like 30 mins when i'd been trying for days!!! their website is claimyr.com and you can see how it works at https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj - total lifesaver when you need to talk to someone about account recovery!
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Liam Cortez
•I used Claimyr back in December for an adjudication issue and it did work, but just FYI for this specific problem - you might want to try the ID.me route first since this is an identity verification issue more than a DEO issue. But if you need to talk to DEO directly, then yeah, Claimyr does work to get through.
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Savannah Vin
As someone who worked with clients on DEO issues, here's the correct process for your situation: 1. For ID.me phone number changes, go to help.id.me and submit a ticket under "Account Recovery" - have your ID ready to upload 2. If that doesn't work, you have a legal right to your tax documents regardless of account access. You can submit a formal written request for your 1099-G form by mailing: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Reemployment Assistance Program P.O. Box 5750 Tallahassee, FL 32314-5750 Include: Full name, last 4 of SSN, current address, claim year, and signature 3. You can also use Form 4506-T with the IRS to request wage and income transcripts if all else fails Hope this helps!
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Kylo Ren
•This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I didn't realize I could request the forms by mail. I'll try the ID.me route first but good to know I have backup options if that doesn't work out. Really appreciate the detailed steps!
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Mason Stone
my cousin had this issue to. she couldnt login and when she called they said they needed to mail her a pin? took like 2 weeks to come but then she got in. but I think that might just be for the reglar pin not the id.me thing sorry if that isnt helpful
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Savannah Vin
•You're partially right - DEO does mail PINs for the CONNECT system itself, but that's separate from the ID.me verification process which requires phone/email verification. Both systems need to work to access the account fully.
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Makayla Shoemaker
The DEO system is designed to lock people out, I swear. I had to jump through so many hoops to get my documents after moving. Their whole system is broken and they don't care about people who actually need help. Good luck getting through to anyone there!
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Nina Fitzgerald
•While the system definitely has problems, there are dedicated employees trying to help. The main issue is they're understaffed. For specific technical problems like ID verification, it's better to follow the exact procedural steps rather than getting frustrated with the whole system.
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Kiara Fisherman
did u check ur email? sometimes they send the tax forms there too if u had that set up for paperless
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Kylo Ren
•I checked all my emails including spam folders but nothing there. I think I had paper notices selected when I initially set up my account because I don't remember getting electronic statements. That would have been too easy a solution lol! But thanks for the suggestion.
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Liam Cortez
Update on the ID.me issue - they recently changed their recovery process. If you go to id.me and click "sign in" then "trouble signing in" they now have an option specifically for "I don't have access to my phone number anymore." It will take you through a special verification process using your ID and possibly a video call verification. I just helped my sister do this last month and it worked even though she moved from Florida to Texas.
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Kylo Ren
•Oh that's perfect! I'll try that route first thing tomorrow. Did she need to do the video verification call or was just uploading ID enough? Just trying to prepare for what I'll need to have ready.
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Liam Cortez
•She did end up needing the video call, but it only took about 5 minutes. Make sure you have your driver's license or state ID and are in a well-lit room. They just ask you to hold up your ID and then look at the camera to verify it's really you. Pretty straightforward!
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Kylo Ren
UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know what worked! I followed the advice about the ID.me trouble signing in process and was able to do the video verification to change my phone number. Once that was updated, I could get into my CONNECT account and download my tax documents! Thanks everyone for your help - especially the tip about the new ID.me recovery option, that was exactly what I needed.
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Nina Fitzgerald
•Great to hear you got it resolved! This is helpful information for others in similar situations. Did you have any trouble once you got into the CONNECT system, or were the tax documents easy to find?
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Kylo Ren
•The documents were under "Determination, Monetary & Pending Issue Summary" and then there was a section for tax forms. Took me a minute to find it but wasn't too difficult once I was actually logged in. Thanks again for all the help!
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