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Kingston Bellamy

Missing DEO check shown in USPS Informed Delivery - how to get it reissued?

I'm freaking out right now. USPS Informed Delivery showed a picture of my FIRST unemployment payment check coming today (finally got approved after 3 months of waiting!!), but when I checked my mailbox, it wasn't there!! I've looked everywhere - under the mat, asked neighbors if they got it by mistake, checked with apartment office, tore apart my car thinking maybe I dropped it. NOTHING. This was my first payment ($1,875) after being laid off from my tourism job in Orlando and I desperately need it for April rent. Has anyone dealt with a missing DEO check before? How do I report it missing and get them to reissue it? The DEO website is no help and I can't get through on the phone.

Joy Olmedo

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OMG that happened to me!!!! I had heart attack when my check wasnt there. try calling 321-430-4632 its the direct payment department but u need ur claimnt ID ready. they make u verify alot of stuff

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Thanks! Did they reissue your check quickly? I'm so scared this will take another month and I'll get evicted.

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Isaiah Cross

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First, don't panic. This happens more than you'd think. You need to do a few specific things: 1. File a mail theft report with USPS immediately (https://www.uspis.gov/report) 2. Contact DEO directly to report the missing check - when you call, select option for payment issues 3. Take screenshots of your Informed Delivery showing the check was coming 4. You'll need to fill out an affidavit that you never received the check The reissue typically takes 10-15 business days after they've verified the original check wasn't cashed. Make sure you set up direct deposit for future payments - much safer!

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Thank you for the detailed steps. I'm going to file the USPS report right now. Should I also report this to the police as mail theft? And do you know if DEO will expedite the replacement since it's my first payment and I'm about to be evicted?

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Kiara Greene

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The same exact thing happened to me in January!! I called DEO for three days straight and couldn't get through to anyone. I was going crazy because I had bills due and no way to pay them. Check your informed delivery again - sometimes they show the image a day before it actually arrives. Mine showed up the next day. If not, call USPS first to confirm it was actually delivered to your address.

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I already checked with my mail carrier and they confirmed it was delivered to my box. Someone must have taken it. I've been checking USPS tracking obsessively but nothing has changed.

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Evelyn Kelly

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You need to call DEO's benefit payment control unit at 1-800-297-0586. Tell them exactly what happened and that you have the Informed Delivery proof. They'll put a stop payment on the original check and issue a new one, but it does take about 2-3 weeks unfortunately. If you're facing eviction, make sure to also apply for emergency rental assistance through OUR Florida while waiting for the reissued check. They can sometimes expedite payments when there's an eviction risk. Also, I'd strongly recommend switching to direct deposit through CONNECT for future payments - go to "View and Maintain Account Information" then "Payment Method" to set it up. Much more secure than paper checks.

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Joy Olmedo

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That number never works!!!!! i tried like 50 times last month.

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Paloma Clark

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I've been dealing with DEO for over a year now and have seen every possible problem. Getting a check reissued is a complete nightmare unless you can actually speak to someone. The regular numbers are useless - busy signals or disconnects all day. I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com) after wasting days trying to call myself. They have some system that holds your place in line and calls you when a DEO agent is available. Totally worth it when you're desperate. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj When you do get through, make sure you specifically ask for the "Check Reissuance Department" - the general agents often don't know the proper procedure for missing checks. You'll need to fill out Form DEO-REISSUE and provide an affidavit stating you never received the check.

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Thank you so much! I'm going to try this right now. I've been calling for hours without getting through. Did they make you wait a certain time period before reissuing the check, or can they process it right away when you report it?

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Heather Tyson

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This is actually a common USPS issue right now, not just with DEO. My sister works for the post office and says they're having major staffing issues. Sometimes the informed delivery shows things that come the next day, or they get misdelivered. Did you check with neighbors? Maybe try calling local post office directly?

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I did check with all my neighbors in my apartment building, and nobody has seen it. I also already spoke with my regular mail carrier who confirmed it was delivered to my box. I think it was stolen.

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Raul Neal

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THIS IS WHY DEO SUCKS!!! They know paper checks get stolen all the time but they STILL use them! I had THREE checks stolen last year and each time it took 6-8 weeks to get a replacement. Meanwhile my landlord didn't care and I almost ended up homeless. The system is DESIGNED to make it hard for us to get our money. The second you get your replacement check, IMMEDIATELY set up direct deposit in CONNECT. Don't make the same mistake I did thinking the mail was safe.

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Paloma Clark

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It's incredibly frustrating, but to be fair, DEO defaults to direct deposit now unless you specifically request paper checks or don't provide banking info. I do agree their reissuance process is unnecessarily complicated though. Did you ever figure out who was stealing your checks?

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Isaiah Cross

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Just to add to my earlier comment - when you contact DEO about the reissuance, ask them about getting an emergency payment while you wait for the new check. In some cases, if it's your first payment and you have proof of pending eviction (like a notice from your landlord), they can issue an emergency direct deposit for a portion of your benefit amount. It's not guaranteed, but it's worth asking about if you're in a dire situation.

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I didn't know this was possible! Thank you so much - I do have an eviction warning letter from my landlord, so I'll definitely ask about this emergency payment option. Hopefully that can tide me over until the reissued check arrives.

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Evelyn Kelly

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I want to emphasize something important: if your check was stolen, you need to report this to BOTH the USPS Inspection Service AND your local police department. The police report is crucial because if someone attempts to cash or has already cashed your check, it becomes a criminal case of identity theft and fraud. The report number will be needed by DEO in the reissuance process to show you've taken all proper steps. Also, with the police report, you can request a letter from them stating you're a victim of theft, which can sometimes help with your landlord if you need to negotiate a delayed payment arrangement.

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Raul Neal

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HAHAHA yeah right like the police care about stolen unemployment checks! When mine was stolen they literally told me it wasn't worth their time and to just "call unemployment" as if that's easy. The whole system is broken.

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ApolloJackson

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I'm so sorry this happened to you - mail theft of unemployment checks is unfortunately really common right now. Here's what worked for me when my check was stolen last year: 1. File the USPS mail theft report online immediately (like others mentioned) 2. Call your local post office and ask them to flag your address for "Hold for Pickup" on future mail until you can switch to direct deposit 3. Contact your bank to see if they offer any emergency assistance programs - some banks have small emergency loans for situations like this 4. When you call DEO, ask specifically for "Payment Issues" and mention you have the Informed Delivery screenshot as proof it was sent The key is having that screenshot from Informed Delivery - it's solid evidence the check existed and was supposed to be delivered. DEO takes these cases more seriously when you have that proof. Also, contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you with local emergency assistance programs that might help with rent while you wait for the reissued check. Don't suffer in silence! Hang in there - this will get resolved, it just takes time unfortunately.

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Ravi Sharma

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This is really helpful advice, especially about calling 211 - I had no idea that was even an option! I'm definitely going to try the "Hold for Pickup" suggestion too since I'm worried about future checks getting stolen while I wait to switch to direct deposit. Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed response, it gives me hope that this will actually get resolved.

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GalacticGuru

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I work at a credit union and see this unfortunately happen to our members all the time. A few additional tips that might help: 1. Contact your apartment complex management office - many have hardship programs or can work out payment plans when you show proof of the theft (police report + USPS theft report) 2. Check if your renters insurance covers stolen mail - some policies do and can provide temporary assistance 3. When you get DEO on the phone, ask them to put a "priority flag" on your case since it's preventing you from paying rent. Sometimes this can speed up the 2-3 week timeline 4. Consider opening a new bank account at a different bank before setting up direct deposit - if someone has your stolen check, they might have enough info to attempt other fraud The Informed Delivery screenshot is definitely your strongest piece of evidence. Make sure to save multiple copies of it. I've seen DEO require it multiple times during the reissuance process. Stay strong - I know it's terrifying but this does get resolved. The system is frustrating but there are people who will help you navigate it.

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Nathan Dell

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This is incredibly thorough advice - thank you! I never would have thought about the renters insurance angle or opening a new bank account for security. I'm definitely going to ask about the "priority flag" when I call DEO. Do you know if there's a specific department or person I should ask for when requesting that priority status, or is it something any agent can add to my case? I've saved the Informed Delivery screenshot in multiple places now after reading all these responses. Really appreciate you sharing your professional insight!

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I went through this exact nightmare 6 months ago! Here's what actually worked after weeks of frustration: The key is persistence and having the right documentation. Since you have the Informed Delivery screenshot, you're already ahead of where I was. Here's my step-by-step process that finally worked: 1. File the USPS theft report online (uspis.gov) - you'll get a case number within 24 hours 2. File a police report with your local PD - even if they seem uninterested, you need the report number for DEO 3. Call DEO at 8am sharp on Monday morning using the 1-800-204-2418 number - select option 1, then 5, then 2 for payment issues 4. When you get through (it took me 47 attempts), ask for the "Check Reissuance Specialist" - regular agents often don't know the full process The magic phrase that got me priority service: "This is my first unemployment payment, I have proof it was stolen via USPS Informed Delivery, and I'm facing homelessness." They have a separate queue for first-payment theft cases. You'll need to complete an affidavit (they'll email it) and fax it back with copies of your police report and USPS theft report. My replacement check was issued in 8 business days instead of the usual 3-4 weeks. Also - while waiting, apply for emergency rental assistance through your county's ERAP program. Many counties in Florida can provide immediate assistance for theft victims with proper documentation. Don't give up - you WILL get your money, it just takes knowing exactly how to navigate their system!

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This is exactly the kind of detailed roadmap I needed! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm going to follow your process step by step. The "magic phrase" about first payment theft is particularly helpful - I had no idea they had a separate queue for these cases. I'm definitely going to try calling at 8am Monday and ask specifically for the "Check Reissuance Specialist." Did you have any trouble with the faxing part? I don't have access to a fax machine but I'm wondering if I can email the documents instead or if there are other options. Also going to look into my county's ERAP program right now. Really appreciate you taking the time to write such a comprehensive response - it gives me actual hope that this will be resolved faster than the horror stories I've been reading!

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