What's a 'waiting week' on DEO CONNECT? Will I get paid for it?
Really confused about something on my CONNECT account. I see 'Waiting Week: 10/2/2025 - 10/8/2025' listed, but I got paid for the weeks after that. Will I ever get paid for this waiting week? It's been over a month now since I started my claim, and I'm still seeing this status. My bills are piling up and I could really use that extra $275! Is this some kind of DEO trick to avoid paying us for one week? Current status shows: Last Week Signed: 10/23/2025 - 10/29/2025 Waiting Week: 10/2/2025 - 10/8/2025 Current Program Type: Regular UC Last Week Paid: 10/23/2025 - 10/29/2025
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LongPeri
The waiting week is the first week of your benefit year that you're eligible for benefits, but DEO doesn't pay you for it. It's basically a deductible week. Florida has always had this policy for Regular UC claims (except temporarily during COVID when they waived it). You won't get paid for that week - it's just how the system works. The good news is it only happens once per benefit year.
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Freya Collins
•Seriously??? So they just take a whole week from us? That's $275 I was counting on! Why would they do that? Nobody told me about this when I applied.
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Oscar O'Neil
Yep same thing happned to me last month... they dont pay you for the first week its some BS rule they have
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Freya Collins
•That seems so unfair. Do other states do this too?
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Sara Hellquiem
The waiting week is standard in Florida's unemployment system. Think of it as a one-week deductible at the start of your claim. Here's what you need to know: 1. You must serve one waiting week per benefit year 2. The waiting week is always the first week you're eligible for benefits 3. You still need to claim this week and meet all eligibility requirements 4. You won't receive payment for this week 5. This is mentioned in the DEO handbook but many people miss it It's frustrating, but once you get past this week, you'll receive benefits for all other eligible weeks as long as you continue to meet the requirements and submit your work searches (5 per week).
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Charlee Coleman
•I had the same issue and wasted hours trying to call DEO thinking it was a mistake. Couldn't get through to anyone. Finally tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) and got connected to a DEO agent in about 20 minutes who confirmed exactly what @UIexpert said. The waiting week is just their policy. Check out their demo video if you need to actually talk to someone at DEO: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj
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Liv Park
wait so every time u file a new claim u lose a week??? thats not right
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LongPeri
•No, it's once per benefit year, not per claim. A benefit year lasts 12 months from when you first file. So if you have multiple claims within the same benefit year, you only serve one waiting week.
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Leeann Blackstein
The DEO system is DESIGNED to discourage people from filing!!!! The waiting week is just one of their MANY tricks to reduce payments. They also make the website impossible to navigate, disconnect your calls, and put everyone in adjudication for weeks hoping you'll give up!!! I went through this last year and it took me filing a complaint with my state representative to finally get my benefits!!!!
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Ryder Greene
•I understand your frustration with the system, but the waiting week isn't unique to Florida. It's actually a common practice in many state unemployment systems. While it may feel like a way to reduce payments, it's been part of unemployment insurance programs for decades. That said, the website issues and difficulty reaching representatives are definitely real problems that need addressing.
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Freya Collins
Thanks for all the responses. Still think it's ridiculous they don't make this clearer when you apply. I definitely would have planned better if I knew I wouldn't get that first week. Do I still need to have done the 5 work searches for the waiting week even though I'm not getting paid for it?
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Sara Hellquiem
•Yes, you still need to complete and report your 5 work search activities for the waiting week, even though you won't receive payment for it. If you don't, it could potentially affect your eligibility for future weeks. The system checks that you fulfilled all requirements for the waiting week, even though no payment is issued.
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Carmella Fromis
when i had my claim last summer they still made me do the stupid work searches for the waiting week even tho they didnt pay me a cent... whole system is messed up lol
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Freya Collins
•Ugh that's so annoying! Thanks for confirming though, I'll make sure to have my work searches logged properly.
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