UPDATE: I finally got through!! Used a combination of the early morning call (tried at 7:28am exactly) + the key sequence that @helpful_guidance suggested. Had to wait 47 minutes on hold, but eventually spoke with someone who could help! Turns out there was a "fact finding" request buried in my account that I never received notification about. The agent helped me complete it right over the phone, and said my backpay should be processed within 5-7 business days. THANK YOU everyone for all your suggestions!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. @Emily Sanjay so glad you finally got through and found that hidden fact-finding issue - that's exactly the kind of thing that keeps people stuck in limbo for months. For anyone else dealing with similar issues, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1) Call early (7:28-7:29am), 2) Use the bypass sequence (5-2-1-6), 3) Enter your ID very slowly, 4) Ask specifically for "Retroactive Payment Unit", and 5) Always check the Fact Finding section separately from your inbox. DEO really needs to fix their notification system - it's ridiculous that people can have pending requirements they never even know about!

This thread has been an absolute lifesaver! I just hit "Exhausted Active" status this morning and was in full panic mode when I saw those employment verification questions. Like everyone else here, my first thought was that I needed to re-enter all my wage data from the past year. Reading through all these experiences has completely changed my approach. The advice is so consistent - just confirm the existing employment information, don't resubmit wages that are already in their system, and most importantly keep claiming weeks during the review process. I would have definitely stopped claiming thinking I had to wait for the determination to finish. What really stands out to me is how this community has essentially reverse-engineered what DEO's confusing system actually wants from us. Their "Exhausted Active" terminology is so misleading - it sounds like something bad when it's really just a status indicating you've used your regular benefits but the claim is still active for potential extensions. The success stories here give me so much hope, especially seeing that the original poster got approved for Extended Benefits by following this exact guidance. I'm completing my verification today using the approach outlined here - confirm existing info only, no new submissions unless I've actually worked since filing. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and timelines. This thread should honestly be pinned as the definitive guide for handling "Exhausted Active" status in Florida!

This thread is amazing - I wish I had found it sooner! I've been dealing with the "Exhausted Active" status for almost a week now and was getting really anxious about those employment verification questions. Reading through everyone's experiences has been such a relief. The consistency in advice here is incredible - confirm existing info only, don't resubmit wages already in the system, and keep claiming weeks. I was definitely leaning toward re-entering everything thinking that's what DEO wanted, but now I understand that would have been a huge mistake. What really helps is seeing the timeline updates from people who've completed this process successfully. Knowing it typically takes 3-7 days for the review gives me realistic expectations instead of constantly refreshing CONNECT hoping for instant updates. I'm curious for those who got Extended Benefits approved - did you receive any advance notice about how many additional weeks you'd be eligible for, or does that information only show up after the determination is complete? Trying to plan ahead financially while waiting for this review to finish. Thanks to everyone who's shared their knowledge here. This community support makes dealing with DEO's confusing system so much more manageable!

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare. 8 months is absolutely unacceptable! I just went through something similar (6 months pending) and finally got resolution last month. Here's what worked for me: 1. I emailed my state representative's office with a detailed timeline of my case - they have a DEO liaison who can actually get answers 2. Filed a complaint with the DEO Inspector General (as someone mentioned above) - this seemed to trigger actual movement on my case 3. Called the legislative hotline at 850-487-1052 - it's a different number than the regular DEO line and I had better luck getting through The key is hitting them from multiple angles at once. Don't rely on just one method. My claim was stuck because of an "employer separation verification" issue that literally took one 10-minute phone call to resolve once I finally reached the right person. Also, document EVERYTHING - dates you called, emails sent, responses received. You'll need this timeline when you finally get through to someone. Hang in there - you WILL get your money, but you have to be relentless about pursuing it through these alternate channels.

I feel your pain so deeply - this system is absolutely broken and designed to exhaust people into giving up. 8 months is unconscionable, especially when you've done everything right on your end. Based on what others have shared here, I'd strongly recommend doing ALL of these immediately: 1. Contact your state rep AND senator (use myfloridahouse.gov to find them) - be specific about your timeline and financial hardship 2. File that Inspector General complaint - sounds like this creates real accountability 3. Try that legislative hotline number @Layla Sanders mentioned (850-487-1052) 4. Document everything with dates/times for when you finally get through The fact that you're approaching the one-year deadline that @Aaliyah Jackson mentioned makes this even more urgent. DEO is essentially stealing from you at this point - you've paid into this system and they're withholding what you're legally entitled to. Also consider that Claimyr service @Sasha Ivanov used if you have any funds available. It's infuriating that we have to pay a third party to access our own benefits, but if it works in 25 minutes vs. months of torture, it might be worth it. Don't give up! You've made it 8 months - you're stronger than their broken system. Keep us posted on what works!

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through this exact same thing a few months ago! My balance showed $0 for almost 6 weeks but I kept claiming and doing my work searches. Turns out my previous employer had disputed my claim saying I was "fired for cause" when I was actually laid off due to budget cuts. The adjudication process took forever but once they ruled in my favor, I got a lump sum payment for all the weeks I had claimed during that $0 balance period. The key things that helped me were: 1) Never stopped claiming weeks even though balance was $0, 2) Kept meticulous records of all my job search activities (screenshots, emails, etc.), and 3) Checked my CONNECT account multiple times per day for any new messages or fact-finding questionnaires. Don't get discouraged by the $0 balance - it's likely just a temporary hold while they investigate something. Keep doing what you're supposed to do and you should get paid once it's resolved!

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and it was so stressful! My balance showed $0 for nearly 7 weeks but I had multiple unclaimed weeks available. Like others have mentioned, it turned out to be an adjudication issue - my former employer had initially provided incorrect information about my separation reason. Here's what I learned: ALWAYS keep claiming those weeks even with a $0 balance! I cannot stress this enough. The system will let you claim them for a reason. During my adjudication period, I claimed every single week and completed all 5 work search requirements religiously. When DEO finally resolved my case, I received a massive lump sum payment covering all those weeks I had claimed during the $0 balance period. A few tips that really helped me: - Set up a spreadsheet to track all work search activities (date, company, position, method of contact) - Take screenshots of every job application confirmation page - Check your CONNECT messages at least twice daily - they sometimes send time-sensitive requests - If you get overwhelmed by the phone system, try calling right at 7:30 AM when they open The waiting is absolutely awful, but hang in there and keep following the process. The system is designed to test your persistence, but if you're eligible, you will eventually get paid for all those weeks you claim during this period.

Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and terrifying! I just filed my initial claim last week and I'm still waiting to hear back on whether it's approved. The whole process feels like navigating a maze blindfolded. It's reassuring to see that some people are getting payments relatively quickly once they're in the system, but all the stories about people waiting months in "adjudication limbo" have me stressed. I've already started taking screenshots of everything like some of you suggested - definitely learned that lesson from reading this thread! And I'm bummed to learn about the $600 federal payments ending right when I might finally be eligible. Typical timing, right? Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences and tips - this community is honestly more helpful than anything DEO has provided so far!

Jumping in as someone who's been through the DEO process multiple times over the past few years - the timing really is all over the place! I've found that direct deposit typically takes 2-3 business days after claiming, but I've seen it as fast as next day and as slow as a full week depending on when you claim and how busy their system is. One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts through CONNECT so I get notifications when payments are processed. Also, since you mentioned budgeting carefully until you start work - just a heads up that your first week back at work might affect your final unemployment payment if there's any overlap in the benefit week dates. DEO can be really picky about reporting exact work start dates. The screenshot advice everyone's giving is spot on too - I learned that lesson the hard way when they "lost" one of my work search logs and I had to appeal. Now I screenshot literally everything including confirmation numbers and timestamps. Hope your payment comes through smoothly on Friday!