Just wanted to add my experience for future readers - I've been on Florida unemployment for about 6 months now and the payment timing has been pretty consistent once you get into the routine. I claim every other Sunday night (the system opens around 8 PM), and I almost always get my deposit by Wednesday morning. The only times it was delayed were during holidays like you mentioned, or once when there was a system maintenance issue that DEO announced on their website. One tip that really helped me: set up text alerts with your bank so you know immediately when the deposit hits. It gives peace of mind, especially in those first few weeks when you're still figuring out the timing. Also, if you ever have questions about a specific payment, the payment history in CONNECT shows the exact status of each week claimed, which is super helpful for tracking things down.

Just wanted to chime in as someone who recently went through the same confusion! The biweekly claiming system definitely threw me off at first too. One thing I learned that might help - if you're ever unsure about whether your payment went through, you can check the "View and Maintain Account Information" section in CONNECT. It shows your payment status for each week claimed, so you can see if it's "Paid," "Pending," or if there are any issues. Also, don't panic if your first payment takes a bit longer than expected - mine took 5 business days because they had to verify some information from my previous employer. After that first one though, it's been pretty much like clockwork every two weeks. The $325 weekly amount is correct, so you should be getting $650 total (minus taxes if you elected withholding) every claim period.

I'm in almost the exact same boat! Just finished a 3-week temp job at a logistics company and need to restart my DEO claim that I paused back in February. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been super helpful - sounds like the key things are: 1. Use "Reopen Claim" not file new since we're in our benefit year 2. Be super accurate with work dates and earnings 3. Select "temporary assignment completed" for separation reason 4. Be prepared for 2-3 weeks in pending while they review The part about keeping documentation is smart too - I saved the email from my temp agency confirming the assignment dates, just in case they need proof it was always meant to be temporary. One question for those who've done this - when you report your temp job earnings during the reopen process, do you enter it week by week or as a total amount? I want to make sure I do this part right since it seems like that's where people run into issues. Thanks for starting this thread @Danielle Campbell - super timely for those of us dealing with temp work situations!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just had a 6-week temp job end (office assistant) and was panicking about whether I could get back on unemployment. This thread is a lifesaver - so helpful to see everyone's real experiences with the process. From reading all the responses, it sounds like the main steps are: 1. Log into CONNECT and select "Reopen Claim" 2. Report all temp job earnings accurately (week by week) 3. Select "temporary assignment completed" as separation reason 4. Be prepared for 2-3 weeks in pending status 5. Start work search activities immediately (5 per week) I filed my original claim in October 2024 so I should still be in my benefit year. Really nervous about the adjudication period since I need income ASAP, but at least now I know what to expect. @Danielle Campbell thanks for posting this - please update us on how your reopen process goes! And @Nolan Carter that Claimyr service you mentioned might be something I look into if mine gets stuck in review too long. Has anyone had success getting through to DEO by phone recently, or is that still nearly impossible?

I'm seeing a lot of great advice here, but I want to add something from personal experience - when you file for partial unemployment, DEO will likely schedule a "fact-finding interview" within 2-3 weeks. This is where they'll ask detailed questions about your work situation, so make sure you have all your documentation organized and easily accessible. They'll want specific dates, times, and examples of the hostile behavior and hour reductions. Also, since you mentioned your manager is sketchy about tip reporting, you should know that DEO can cross-reference your reported wages with what your employer submitted - any discrepancies will come up during their investigation. This actually works in your favor since it shows wage theft. One more tip: when you do the interview, stick to facts only and don't let emotions take over even though the situation is frustrating. They're looking for objective evidence of employer misconduct, not subjective complaints. The combination of documented hour cuts, hostile environment, and wage violations through tip underreporting should make for a very strong case. Best of luck with your filing!

I've been working as a server for 8 years and unfortunately dealt with similar situations multiple times. Based on everything I've read here, you're in a much stronger position than you might think! The combination of hour cuts (from full-time to 18-20 hours), hostile management, schedule manipulation, AND tip underreporting gives you several different angles for either partial benefits now or full benefits later. One thing I'd add that hasn't been mentioned - keep track of your actual work schedule vs. what was originally promised when you were hired. If they hired you for full-time and are now giving you part-time hours, that's a material change in your employment terms that could support a constructive discharge claim. Also, if you have any text messages or emails from when you were first hired that mention expected hours or scheduling, save those too. The restaurant industry is notorious for these kinds of practices, but Florida workers do have protections - you just have to know how to use them. Filing for partial unemployment while still employed is definitely your best move right now. It gives you immediate financial relief, protects you from retaliation, and starts the documentation process with DEO in case you need to escalate later. Stay strong and don't let them push you around!

I'm in the same exact situation as you Avery! My balance hits $0 in two weeks but my benefit year doesn't end until November. This thread has been a goldmine of information - I had absolutely no clue about continuing to claim weeks at zero balance to maintain your record. That alone makes this worth reading! A few additional resources that have helped me prepare for this gap: 1. I signed up for my county's emergency rental assistance program before I actually need it - many have waiting lists so it's better to get on them early 2. I've been checking with local workforce development nonprofits beyond just CareerSource - many offer specialized training programs that can make you more competitive while you're job searching 3. I started doing small freelance tasks on sites like TaskRabbit and Fiverr to bring in a little income during the gap (just make sure to report any earnings properly) The advice about screenshotting your CONNECT account details before hitting $0 is brilliant - doing that immediately! Also planning to call DEO at 8 AM sharp to get clarification on my account status before the money runs out. It's terrifying facing this gap period, but seeing everyone share practical solutions and support each other makes it feel like there's actually a path through this. Thanks for starting this conversation - you've helped way more people than just yourself figure out how to navigate this confusing system!

I'm in almost the exact same situation as you! My balance will hit $0 next week but my benefit year doesn't end until August. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about continuing to claim weeks even at $0 balance or about so many of these resources everyone has shared. One thing I wanted to add that's helped me prepare: I reached out to my local food banks and pantries to get registered before I actually need them. Most don't require income verification and it's one less thing to worry about during the gap period. Also, I've been checking with community colleges about their job placement services - many offer free career counseling and have connections with local employers even if you're not a student. The advice about screenshotting your CONNECT account details is brilliant - definitely doing that this week! I'm also going to try calling DEO at 8 AM sharp like someone suggested. It's scary not knowing what comes next financially, but seeing everyone share practical solutions and support each other through this makes it feel so much more manageable. Thanks for posting this question - you've helped way more people than just yourself navigate this confusing system!

Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm going to file today. Sounds like it might be cutting it close with the timing, but worth trying. I'll make sure to be clear about the "business needs" reason consistently. And I'll definitely check out that Claimyr service if I run into trouble getting through to DEO. Really appreciate all the help!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - if you're worried about the timing, you can also call the DEO customer service line at 1-833-FL-APPLY (1-833-352-7759) to check on your claim status once you submit it. They're usually swamped but sometimes you can get through early in the morning (like 7-8 AM). Also, even if your benefits don't arrive before you start your new job, they'll still be backdated to cover those eligible weeks. So don't stress too much about the timing - just get that application in ASAP and let the process work. You've got this!