How to get Way2Go card expedited for Florida DEO benefits? Already paid but no access to money
So stressed right now! I got approved for my unemployment benefits and DEO finally paid me BOTH weeks yesterday after waiting forever, but I can't access any of my money because I don't have the Way2Go card yet. I seriously need these funds like yesterday to pay my rent (already 5 days late). Is there any way to get the card expedited? Has anyone successfully gotten their Way2Go card faster than the regular mail? I tried calling the number on the CONNECT website but just got stuck in an endless phone tree. Any advice would be really appreciated - bills are piling up and I'm getting desperate.
31 comments


Xan Dae
Yes, you can get the card expedited but it costs extra. Call the Way2Go customer service number at 1-833-888-2780 and select the option for a lost or stolen card (even though you never received it). When you get a representative, explain your situation and ask for expedited shipping. They'll charge around $15 for 2-day delivery, which comes out of your benefits. Make sure you have your CONNECT ID number and personal info ready when you call.
0 coins
Isaiah Sanders
•Thank you so much! I'll try that right now. Do you know if they can take the $15 directly from my benefits or do I need to pay with a different card?
0 coins
Fiona Gallagher
I went thru this last month. The normal mail time for the card is 7-10 business days. Not sure if expediting even helps tbh
0 coins
Isaiah Sanders
•Wow that's forever when you're broke. Did yours actually take the full 10 days?
0 coins
Thais Soares
The DEO system is such GARBAGE!! I had the same issue back in February. Called for expedited delivery and they STILL took 5 days to get it to me. Meanwhile my electric got shut off because I couldn't pay the bill. They seriously expect us to wait around with no money while they take their sweet time sending a plastic card. RIDICULOUS!!!! And you can't even get through to a real person half the time.
0 coins
Isaiah Sanders
•That's exactly what I'm afraid of. I can't believe there's not a better system for this in 2025.
0 coins
Nalani Liu
Another option is to use Claimyr to get through to an actual DEO agent who might be able to help with the card situation. I was stuck in a similar situation and couldn't get past the automated system. Used Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to a live agent in about 15 minutes. The agent was able to verify my identity and address on the spot and notate my account that I needed the card ASAP. You can see how it works in their video: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj - much better than spending hours on hold.
0 coins
Axel Bourke
•does this claimyr thing actually work? seems sketchy to me
0 coins
Nalani Liu
•It's legit. They just connect you through to DEO using their system that navigates the phone tree and holds your place in line. I was skeptical too but it worked when nothing else did.
0 coins
Aidan Percy
u cn also set up direct deposit in CONNECT instead of waiting for the card. go to view and maintain account info then payment method. might be faster for next time
0 coins
Isaiah Sanders
•Thanks, I'll definitely set up direct deposit for future payments. Unfortunately doesn't help with the money that's already on the Way2Go card system though.
0 coins
Xan Dae
One more important tip - when you get the Way2Go card, immediately transfer the money to your personal bank account instead of keeping it on the card. The Way2Go card has a lot of fees if you use it for regular purchases or ATM withdrawals. You can transfer the funds for free through their website or app once you register the card.
0 coins
Isaiah Sanders
•That's great advice, thank you! I didn't know about the fees.
0 coins
Fernanda Marquez
I went through the same nightmare back in January. Called the Way2Go customer service number every day for a week straight until someone finally helped me. The trick is to call very early in the morning (like 7:01am when they open) or right before they close. Middle of the day is impossible to get through. When I finally got someone, they expedited my card and I had it in 3 days. Make sure you triple check that your address is correct in both CONNECT and the Way2Go system - they need to match exactly or you'll have even more delays. I also filed my claims for almost a month before I could access my money because of the card delay. The whole system is set up to make us suffer, I swear.
0 coins
Isaiah Sanders
•Thank you for the detailed advice! I'll try calling right when they open tomorrow morning. And great point about checking the addresses - I did move recently so I better make sure everything matches.
0 coins
Axel Bourke
mine took 2 weeks to come lol good luck
0 coins
Isaiah Sanders
•Ugh, that's what I'm afraid of 😩
0 coins
Isabella Oliveira
I feel for you - this exact situation happened to me 3 months ago and it's absolutely maddening! Here's what worked for me: Call Way2Go at 1-833-888-2780 first thing in the morning (7am sharp) and keep calling until you get through. When you do, ask to speak to a supervisor immediately - regular reps sometimes can't help with expediting. The supervisor was able to overnight my card for $25 (comes out of your benefits). Also, while you're waiting, go into your CONNECT account and double-check that your mailing address is 100% correct - any small discrepancy will delay it even more. I got my card in 2 days after speaking to the supervisor. Hang in there, you'll get through this! The system is broken but there are ways to work around it.
0 coins
Mateo Perez
•This is super helpful, thank you! I'm definitely going to try calling right at 7am and asking for a supervisor. $25 is worth it to get my money faster. Quick question - when you say "comes out of your benefits," does that mean they deduct it from the unemployment money that's already loaded on the card, or do they take it from future payments?
0 coins
Eli Wang
I had this same issue last year and it was a nightmare! Here's what finally worked for me: Contact your local DEO CareerSource office directly - they sometimes have a direct line to expedite cards for urgent situations like yours. I called the main Tampa office and explained I was about to be evicted, and they were able to put in an emergency request that bypassed the normal Way2Go process. Got my card in 4 days instead of the usual 2 weeks. Also, if you have any documentation showing late rent notices or shut-off notices, mention that when you call - they seem to prioritize people with proof of financial emergency. The number for Tampa CareerSource is (813) 397-2054 but you should look up your local office. Worth a shot while you're also trying the Way2Go customer service route!
0 coins
Sebastián Stevens
•This is genius advice! I never thought about contacting CareerSource directly. I'm in Jacksonville so I'll look up my local office number and try calling them too. Having multiple approaches going at once seems like the best strategy. Really appreciate you sharing what worked for you - gives me hope that I can get this resolved faster than just waiting around helplessly.
0 coins
Micah Franklin
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Got approved and paid but still waiting on my Way2Go card. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - I'm going to try calling Way2Go at 7am tomorrow and asking for a supervisor like Isabella suggested, plus I'll also contact my local CareerSource office as a backup plan. It's crazy that in 2025 we still have to jump through all these hoops just to access our own benefits. The stress of having money sitting there that you can't touch while bills pile up is unreal. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and tips - this community is a lifesaver when the actual system fails us!
0 coins
GalaxyGuardian
•I'm in the exact same boat too! Just got paid yesterday but no card yet. Reading all these tips has been so helpful - definitely going to try the 7am supervisor call strategy and also contact CareerSource. It's ridiculous that we have to become detective sleuths just to get our own money! Let me know how it goes for you - maybe we can share updates on what works. The stress is real when you've got bills due and money just sitting there inaccessible. We shouldn't have to go through this!
0 coins
Justin Trejo
I'm dealing with this nightmare too and it's beyond frustrating! After reading everyone's suggestions, I'm planning to attack this from multiple angles tomorrow: calling Way2Go at exactly 7am and demanding a supervisor for expedited shipping, plus contacting my local CareerSource office as backup. The fact that we have approved benefits just sitting there while we can't pay basic bills is absolutely insane. One thing I wanted to add - if anyone else is in this situation, document EVERYTHING. Keep records of when you call, who you speak to, reference numbers, etc. I've learned the hard way with DEO that you need a paper trail for everything. Also screenshot your CONNECT account showing the payment was processed - sometimes the reps try to claim payments haven't gone through yet. Hang in there everyone, we'll get through this broken system together!
0 coins
Chloe Zhang
•Great strategy Justin! Documenting everything is such smart advice - I wish someone had told me that when I started this whole process. The screenshot tip is especially good because you're right, sometimes they act like payments never happened. I'm also going to try the multi-pronged approach tomorrow. One more thing I learned from a friend who went through this - if you get disconnected while on hold with Way2Go (which happens A LOT), call back immediately and mention you were just disconnected with reference number XYZ. Sometimes they can pick up where you left off instead of starting over. We really shouldn't have to become experts at navigating a broken system just to access our own benefits, but here we are! Thanks for the solidarity - it helps knowing we're not alone in this mess.
0 coins
Malik Thomas
Just wanted to share another tip that helped me when I was in this exact situation last month - if you have a smartphone, download the Way2Go mobile app and try to register your card there even before you physically receive it. Sometimes the app will let you access your account info and even see your card details before the physical card arrives. You can't spend the money without the physical card, but you can at least confirm the funds are loaded and get your card number to reference when calling customer service. Also, when you do call Way2Go, have your SSN, full legal name, and the address on file ready - they'll ask for all of this to verify your identity before they can help with expediting. The whole system is absolutely ridiculous but these little workarounds can save you some time and stress. Stay strong - you WILL get your money!
0 coins
Liam Sullivan
•This is really smart advice! I didn't even think about downloading the app before the card arrives. Even just being able to see the card details and confirm the funds are there would give me some peace of mind while I'm waiting. I'll definitely try this along with all the other strategies everyone has shared. It's amazing how this community has more helpful information than the actual DEO system! Thanks for adding another useful tip to the arsenal.
0 coins
Diego Mendoza
I went through this exact nightmare 6 months ago and I feel your pain! Here's what finally worked for me: Call Way2Go at 1-833-888-2780 right when they open at 7am (set multiple alarms), and when you get through, immediately ask to speak to a supervisor about an "emergency expedite due to financial hardship." Have your CONNECT confirmation number, SSN, and current address ready. The supervisor was able to overnight my card for $20 (deducted from benefits) and I had it the next day. Also, while you're on hold (which will be forever), use that time to call your local CareerSource office as backup - they sometimes have emergency protocols for situations like yours. I know it's incredibly stressful having your money just sitting there inaccessible, but don't give up! Document every call with reference numbers and keep pushing until someone helps you. The system is broken but there are ways through it. You've got this!
0 coins
Henry Delgado
•This is exactly the kind of detailed advice I needed to hear! Setting multiple alarms for 7am is such a good idea - I'm definitely doing that tomorrow. The "emergency expedite due to financial hardship" phrasing is perfect too, sounds way more official than just saying I need my money fast. $20 for overnight delivery is totally worth it at this point. I'm also going to have all my info written down and ready before I call so I don't fumble around when they ask for it. Really appreciate you sharing exactly what worked for you - gives me a clear game plan to follow. The fact that you got it overnighted gives me hope that I can actually get this resolved quickly if I push hard enough!
0 coins
Miles Hammonds
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the stress of having your benefits approved but not being able to access them is absolutely brutal! I went through something similar a few months ago and here's what I learned: Call Way2Go at 1-833-888-2780 at exactly 7:00 AM when they open (literally set your alarm for 6:59). Ask immediately for a supervisor and use the phrase "emergency expedite due to financial hardship" - they take this more seriously than just saying you need it fast. Have your CONNECT ID, SSN, full name, and current mailing address written down before you call. The supervisor can overnight it for around $20-25 which gets deducted from your benefits. Also double-check that your address in CONNECT exactly matches what's on file with Way2Go - even small differences can cause major delays. While you're waiting on hold, try downloading the Way2Go app and see if you can register your account even without the physical card - sometimes you can at least see that your funds are loaded. Hang in there, the system is absolutely broken but you WILL get your money!
0 coins
Aisha Hussain
•This is incredibly thorough advice, thank you so much! I love how you broke it down step-by-step - having everything written out like this makes it feel way more manageable. The 6:59 alarm tip is brilliant, and I'm definitely going to use that exact "emergency expedite due to financial hardship" phrase. It's so helpful to know the overnight option is only $20-25 since at this point that's nothing compared to the late fees I'm facing. I'm also going to double-check my addresses right now to make sure they match exactly - such a good point about small differences causing delays. Really appreciate you taking the time to share such detailed guidance. This community has been more helpful than any official DEO resource!
0 coins