How to verify DEO overpayment was paid 8+ years ago? Need help finding old payment records

I had a similar situation last year with an ancient overpayment from 2016. You need to request your payment history records directly from DEO's overpayment unit. Call 1-833-FL-APPLY and select the option for overpayments. Make sure you have your claimant ID number, SSN, and any old claim numbers if you can find them. You can also submit a formal records request through their website under the 'Contact Us' section - specifically request 'Historical Payment Records' going back to the year of your original overpayment. They should be able to provide documentation of any payments you made, even from 8+ years ago. Their systems DO keep these records, just not in the regular CONNECT portal.

I've had success getting through to DEO using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that basically holds your place in line and calls you when a DEO agent is available. Saved me from hours of hold time when I was dealing with my adjudication issues last month. They have a video demo showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj. Definitely worth it for overpayment situations since you really need to talk to a specialist who can access the archived records.

THE DEO IS SUCH A NIGHTMARE WITH OLD RECORDS!!!! I had a similar issue in 2024 when they tried to collect a debt from 2015 that I'd already paid. They sent it to collections and everything! You need to also request a FORMAL AUDIT of your overpayment history. This is different than just asking for records. Use those exact words - "formal audit of overpayment history" - when you submit your request. Also, check if you can find ANY proof of payment from your end - old bank statements, screenshots, confirmation emails, ANYTHING. The burden of proof shouldn't be on us when THEY lose track of payments, but that's how they operate. The system is designed to wear you down until you just pay again!

If you made payments through a payment plan, there should definitely be records. Those payments would have gone through their Finance Unit. Try requesting records specifically from them rather than the general unemployment department. Another option is to file a public records request under Florida's Sunshine Law (Chapter 119, F.S.) which legally requires them to provide records they maintain. Here's the email to use: DEO.PublicRecords@deo.myflorida.com - make sure you include your full name, contact info, claim ID if you have it, and specify exactly what records you're seeking (payment records for overpayment case #XXX from 2017).

my cousin works for deo (not telling u which office lol) and she says they purge some records after 7 years but payment records for overpayments are kept in their financial system permanently bc of state auditing requirements. so the records DEF exist, u just gotta find someone willing to look for them. good luck getting anyone to care tho :/

Update on my earlier comment - I forgot to mention you should also check with Florida Department of Revenue if DEO isn't helpful. If your overpayment was ever sent to collections or flagged for potential tax offset, DOR would have records too. Their number is 850-617-8600. If you filed state taxes during the years you were making payments, that's another paper trail you could follow. Sometimes these old overpayments get transferred between different state agencies which makes tracking them even harder.

i had overpayment from 2018 and i went to my local career source office with my notice and they helped me find all my old records!!! the lady there made some calls and got printouts of everything!! try that maybe??

did u ever get the receipt when u paid it originally? i always take screenshots of everything with government sites cuz they mess up so much lol

Important update based on recent experience: There's a specific unit at DEO called the Benefit Payment Control (BPC) Unit that handles old overpayment records. When you call, specifically ask for them. Also, if you make any progress or get any confirmation about your previous payments, get the name and ID number of the representative who helped you and document EVERYTHING. I'd recommend sending a follow-up email summarizing any phone conversations to create a paper trail. Also, be aware there's a 3-year statute of limitations on most DEO collection actions, but they reset if they've made collection attempts during that time.

Another avenue to try - contact your state representative or senator's office! I had an impossible DEO situation last year (different issue but similar runaround) and my rep's constituent services office got results in 2 weeks that I couldn't get in 6 months of calling myself. They have direct contacts at DEO who actually respond. You can find your reps at myfloridahouse.gov and flsenate.gov - just explain the situation and that you need help getting historical payment records. It's literally their job to help with state agency issues like this. Don't feel bad about using this option - you already tried everything else and DEO is clearly not being responsive through normal channels!

One more thing to add - if you're getting nowhere with phone calls, try contacting DEO through their formal grievance process. You can file a grievance online at floridajobs.org under "File a Complaint" - this creates an official case number and forces them to respond within specific timeframes. In your grievance, explain that you're being asked to pay an overpayment that was already satisfied in 2017 and that DEO has failed to provide adequate payment history records despite multiple requests. This approach often gets routed to supervisors who have better system access than frontline agents. Also document every attempt you've made to resolve this (dates, times, who you spoke with) - this shows good faith effort on your part and strengthens your case if you need to escalate further.