Thank you all for sharing your experiences! This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about the PIN reset trick or that state reps could help with DEO issues. I'm feeling more hopeful now that there might actually be specific solutions rather than just endless waiting. Quick question for those who successfully got through: when you asked about what was holding up your case, did the agents seem knowledgeable and willing to dig into the details? Or did you have to push them to look deeper? I want to make sure I'm prepared to advocate for myself when I finally get someone on the phone. Planning to try the PIN reset option at 7:30am tomorrow and also going to contact my state rep's office as backup. Will update everyone on how it goes - this community support means everything when dealing with such a frustrating system!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been a lifesaver! My claim has been stuck on "pending adjudication" for 3 weeks now and I was starting to lose hope. Reading everyone's success stories with the PIN reset trick is giving me so much confidence to keep trying. One thing I wanted to add that might help others - I noticed in my CONNECT account that I have a "determination" tab that shows "pending" but when I click on it, there's no additional details about what they're actually reviewing. Has anyone else seen this? I'm wondering if this is related to the fact-finding form issue that was mentioned earlier in the thread. I'm definitely going to try calling at 7:30am tomorrow using the PIN reset option, and I'm also going to follow up with my state representative's office. It sounds like having multiple approaches going simultaneously might be the key to finally getting some movement on these stuck claims. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and tips - it's so helpful to know we're not alone in this frustrating process!

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Been stuck in ID.me verification hell for over a week. What's really frustrating is that the error messages are so vague - just "verification unsuccessful" with zero explanation of what's actually wrong. One thing I discovered that might help - if you're using Chrome, try switching to Firefox or Safari. I read somewhere that ID.me has compatibility issues with certain browser versions. Also, make sure you're not using any browser extensions that might interfere with the camera or photo upload. Another tip from my research: make sure your full legal name in your DEO account matches EXACTLY what's on your ID, including middle names or initials. Even tiny discrepancies can cause rejections. I'm planning to try the desktop approach tomorrow morning with natural lighting like others suggested. This whole system is absolutely broken and it's devastating that our basic survival depends on getting through this mess. Hang in there - from what I'm reading here, persistence eventually pays off for most people!

I went through this exact same ID.me nightmare about 6 months ago and it was absolutely devastating. After failing verification probably 15+ times, here's what finally worked for me: 1. Used a different device entirely - borrowed my neighbor's iPad instead of my phone 2. Made sure my face was completely centered in the selfie frame 3. Held my ID at a slight angle to avoid any glare from overhead lights 4. Most importantly - I discovered my CONNECT account had my nickname "Mike" but my driver's license shows "Michael". Once I updated my DEO profile to match my legal name exactly, it worked on the first try. The video verification is a complete joke - I waited 6 hours one day and never got connected. Don't waste your time with that unless you literally have nothing else to do. Also, once you do get verified, check your CONNECT account every few hours because sometimes the system doesn't update automatically. I had to call DEO and specifically ask them to "refresh" my verification status. The whole system is designed to make people give up, but don't let them win. Your benefits are rightfully yours. Keep pushing through - you WILL get there eventually!

Just wanted to share my experience from last month - I had this exact same issue where CONNECT showed "Processed and Paid" on a Friday but the money didn't hit my account until the following Wednesday. What helped me was screenshotting the payment status in CONNECT showing it was processed, which I used to explain the delay to my landlord. Also, if you're really in a bind financially, some banks will give you a temporary overdraft extension if you show them proof that a deposit is coming. The DEO system is definitely confusing with how it displays payment status - "deposited" really should mean the money is in your account, not just that it's been approved for processing!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed Thursday, CONNECT shows "Processed and Paid" Friday, but still no deposit as of today (Wednesday). Reading through all these comments is actually really reassuring - I was starting to think my claim got messed up somehow. It's so frustrating that their system says "deposited" when it really just means approved. I'm definitely going to screenshot my payment status like Marcelle suggested in case I need to show my utility company. Has anyone who experienced this delay noticed if it affects future payments, or do they usually go back to normal timing once this backlog clears? Really hoping mine comes through in the next day or two!

One more thing to note - if you're on Extended Benefits or in a DEO-approved training program, different rules might apply. Also, some claimants may qualify for exemptions from work search requirements under specific circumstances (like if you have a verifiable job return date within 8 weeks). If you think you might qualify for an exemption, you should document your situation thoroughly and be prepared to explain during any potential review of your claim. The safest approach is to complete and record your work searches anyway unless you've received explicit confirmation of a waiver from DEO.

I went through this exact same situation a few weeks ago! Here's what worked for me: I called DEO first thing in the morning (around 7:30 AM) and actually got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The representative was understanding and let me submit my work search activities via email for the weeks I had already claimed without them. They gave me a specific email address and format to use. I had to list each job application with: company name, position title, date applied, contact method (online/email/in-person), and any reference numbers from the applications. Even though I hadn't been keeping perfect records, I was able to reconstruct most of it from my email sent folder and browser history. The key is to be proactive about fixing it rather than waiting and hoping they don't notice. My payments resumed normally once they processed the additional information. Good luck getting through to them - persistence really pays off with DEO!

Hey Alice, I'm dealing with the exact same nightmare right now! My account got locked yesterday and I've been going in circles trying to reach someone. Thanks to everyone who shared their tips - I had no idea about the phone claiming option or contacting state reps. One thing that might help while you're waiting: I found that the DEO website has a "Contact Us" form under the Help section that's separate from the account unlock form. I submitted it yesterday explaining my situation and got an automated response saying they'll get back to me within 3-5 business days. Not ideal timing but it's another avenue to try. Also, make sure you're checking your email (including spam folder) regularly. Sometimes they send unlock instructions or requests for additional info via email instead of showing anything in the system. Keep us posted on what works for you - this community is honestly more helpful than DEO customer service! 🤞

I'm so sorry you're going through this Alice! The DEO system is absolutely maddening and you're definitely not alone. I went through the same thing about 6 weeks ago and it took me almost 2 weeks to get resolved. A few things that might help based on my experience: 1. For the lock date on the form - just put your best guess, even if it's today's date when you first noticed. They really don't verify this against anything, it's just for their internal tracking. 2. Try calling the DEO Reemployment Assistance Customer Service line at (850) 245-7105 instead of the main number. It's their Tallahassee office direct line and sometimes has shorter wait times, especially mid-week around 2-3pm. 3. Document EVERYTHING - take screenshots of error messages, keep records of when you called, etc. If this drags on, you might need to file a complaint with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Inspector General. 4. Most importantly - don't let this stop you from claiming your weeks! You can claim by phone even with a locked account, and you can also request backdating later if you miss deadlines due to their technical issues. The whole system is designed to be frustrating, but hang in there. You WILL get this resolved! Keep us posted on what works for you.