How to update return to work date on DEO CONNECT after submitting initial application?
I'm totally confused about how to change my return to work date in the CONNECT system. When I first filed my unemployment claim in January, my employer told me I'd be back by March 15th, so that's what I put on my application. Now they've pushed back my return date to June 1st, but I can't figure out how to update this in the system. Will my benefits stop automatically on March 15th if I don't update this somewhere? I've been claiming weeks regularly but don't see any option to modify my return date. Has anyone dealt with this before?
17 comments
Chloe Zhang
This happened to me last year. You need to report this change to DEO - it won't update automatically and your benefits could definitely get interrupted if the system thinks you're supposed to be back at work. Go to your CONNECT homepage and look for the 'Contact DEO' or 'Report an Issue' link (I think it's somewhere near the bottom). Select 'Change in Return to Work Date' from the dropdown menu and provide your new date. Take a screenshot of the confirmation page for your records - you'll need it if something goes wrong later.
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Sophia Carter
•Thank you! I looked everywhere but must have missed that option. I'll check again when I log in today. Do I need to upload any documentation from my employer about the date change?
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Brandon Parker
That advice isn't quite right. There's no specific option for changing return to work dates in CONNECT. What you need to do is contact your claim adjudicator directly. When you're claiming your weeks, there should be a question asking if anything has changed about your employment status - THAT'S where you need to indicate the date change. Also make sure to answer 'No' when it asks if you refused any work during that period.
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Sophia Carter
•Now I'm confused... so I just wait until my next weekly claim and mention it there? I'm worried because my next claim isn't until after March 15th, so the system might automatically cut me off before I can tell them.
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Adriana Cohn
lol DEO is such a joke!!! they change the rules every week it feels like. good luck getting thru to anyone who knows anything. i had to call 48 TIMES before i got a real person last month
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Sophia Carter
•That's what I'm afraid of... I don't want to waste hours trying to reach someone only to get disconnected.
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Jace Caspullo
I work as an employment counselor and have helped several clients with this exact situation. The correct procedure is: 1. Log into CONNECT 2. Go to 'Determinations/Pending Issues' 3. Select 'Request to Modify Claim Information' 4. Choose 'Update Return to Work Date' from the dropdown 5. Enter your new date and employer information However, this often doesn't get processed quickly. To avoid any interruption, you should also mention this change in your work search record when claiming weeks. In the text box for 'additional information,' state clearly that your employer has officially extended your temporary layoff period to the new date. Include your supervisor's name and contact info if possible.
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Sophia Carter
•Thank you so much for these detailed steps! I'll try this right away. Really appreciate the tip about adding it to my work search notes too, just in case.
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Melody Miles
I don't know about changing date, but when i got laid off i had to wait 6 weeks before i got my first payment. florida unemployment system is terrible. good luck
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Nathaniel Mikhaylov
I tried calling DEO for weeks about a similar issue (extending temporary layoff) and could NEVER get through. Busy signals, disconnects, or 'call volume too high' messages constantly. I finally used Claimyr.com and got connected to a DEO agent in about 30 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj. The agent was able to update my return date immediately and note it in my file. Saved me weeks of stress since my benefits would have stopped otherwise.
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Brandon Parker
•This is actually good advice. The online system is inconsistent with processing these changes, and getting a note added to your file by a live agent is the safest approach. I'd still recommend doing the online steps that the employment counselor mentioned above, but having a direct conversation with an agent creates a record that can protect you if there's an issue later.
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Eva St. Cyr
Has anyone else noticed that DEO is getting stricter about these return-to-work dates? My cousin had his benefits cut off automatically when he hit his original return date, even though he had tried to update it. Took him almost 3 weeks to get it fixed and get backpay. Make sure you keep claiming weeks even if there's a problem!!!!
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Sophia Carter
•That's exactly what I'm worried about! I'll definitely keep claiming weeks no matter what. Thanks for the warning.
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Jace Caspullo
Quick update on my earlier advice - it's also very important to get something in writing from your employer confirming the new return date. A simple email will work. Upload this as documentation when you request the change in CONNECT. If your benefits do get interrupted, having this documentation will make it much easier to get them reinstated and receive any missed payments.
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Sophia Carter
•Thanks for following up! I'll email my manager today asking for written confirmation of the date change. Better to be prepared!
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Chloe Zhang
Were you able to get this resolved? I'm curious because my sister might be in the same situation soon.
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Sophia Carter
•Yes! Finally got it fixed. I followed the advice here and did three things: 1) Submitted the change through CONNECT under Determinations/Pending Issues, 2) Uploaded an email from my boss confirming the new date, and 3) Used Claimyr to actually talk to someone at DEO who noted it in my file. The agent confirmed my benefits won't stop on the original date. Such a relief!
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