Glad your payment came through! Just FYI - for anyone else reading this - DEO often does system maintenance on the last day of the month which can cause 24-48 hour payment delays. I've learned to expect it and budget accordingly each month.

This is such a common issue with DEO! I'm on my second time claiming benefits and February/March always seems to have these random delays. Last year I had the same panic when my payment didn't show up on the expected day. Turned out to be a system glitch that resolved itself after about 36 hours. The worst part is you never know if it's just a delay or if there's actually a problem with your claim. Really glad to see others confirming their payments came through - gives me hope for next time this inevitably happens again!

Thanks everyone for helping me figure this out! I just got off the phone with DEO (waited almost 2 hours) and they confirmed everything. I'm getting both regular unemployment AND Disaster Unemployment Assistance because my layoff was hurricane-related. The agent said the DUA portion ($425/week) will last for a maximum of 26 weeks from the disaster declaration date, while my regular state benefits ($275/week) can continue for up to 12 weeks total depending on the state unemployment rate. She also warned me to keep documenting my work searches and any hurricane-related impacts to avoid future overpayment issues.

Glad you got this sorted out! This is really helpful info for others who might be in the same situation. Just wanted to add - if anyone else reading this thinks they might qualify for DUA but didn't get it automatically, you can still apply separately through the DEO website. There's a specific DUA application form that's different from regular unemployment. The deadline is usually 30 days from the disaster declaration, but they sometimes extend it. Also, keep copies of EVERYTHING - your determination letters, payment records, work search logs, and especially any documentation linking your job loss to the hurricane. DEO's computer systems don't always talk to each other properly, so having your own records can save you major headaches if they come back with questions later.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful advice! Based on what you've all shared, I'm going to: 1. Keep claiming my weeks even after I start working 2. Report my gross earnings accurately for the days worked in each claim week 3. Take screenshots of everything I submit as proof 4. Continue this process for at least 2-3 weeks after my earnings exceed my benefit amount I really appreciate all the help - the DEO website doesn't explain this clearly at all!

One more tip - if you're worried about accidentally creating an overpayment, you can always call the overpayment department at DEO (different from regular customer service) and ask them to verify that you're reporting correctly. The number is usually less busy than the main line. Also, keep copies of your pay stubs once you start getting them - if there's ever a discrepancy later, having documentation of what you actually earned vs what you reported will save you a lot of headache. Good luck with the new job!

That's awesome that it worked out so smoothly for you! Quick tip - I'd recommend keeping a spreadsheet or notebook to track all your work searches with dates, company names, and method of contact. The DEO can request proof at any time and having everything organized will save you major headaches if they audit you. Also, make sure you're reporting your work searches correctly in CONNECT each week - don't just put "online application" for everything. Be specific about what you did (applied online, called, visited in person, etc.). Good luck with your job search!

Just wanted to add something that might help others in similar situations - if your restaurant/business is permanently closing, make sure you get some kind of written documentation from your employer about the closure date and reason. Even just an email or text from your manager can be helpful if DEO questions your separation later. When I went through a similar situation with a retail store closing, DEO asked me to provide proof that it wasn't a voluntary quit. Having that documentation made the whole process much smoother and helped avoid any delays in my benefits. Also, don't forget that if you have any unused vacation or sick pay that gets paid out, you'll need to report those wages for the weeks they cover - even though the business is closed, those payments still count as wages for unemployment purposes.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - 6 weeks of pending adjudication with zero explanation. Reading through these comments gives me some hope though! I'm definitely going to try the secondary number (833-352-7759) that Sebastian mentioned, and maybe look into Claimyr if that doesn't work. One thing I wanted to add - I've been documenting every single call attempt with dates and times in a spreadsheet. My friend who works in legal said this could be helpful if I need to escalate to a formal complaint later. Might be worth doing if you haven't already. Also, have you tried checking if there are any local legal aid organizations that help with unemployment issues? I found one in my area that offers free consultations for people stuck in the system. They might know additional tricks or have connections we don't. Thanks for posting this - it's oddly comforting to know I'm not alone in this nightmare!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - the DEO system is absolutely broken. I went through almost the exact same thing last year (3 months of calling with no success). What finally worked for me was a combination approach: 1. Used the Spanish line trick (call at 7:29am, select Spanish, ask for English when connected) 2. Called my state senator's office AND representative's office on the same day - sometimes one is more responsive than the other 3. Filed a complaint with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Inspector General's office online The IG complaint seemed to trigger something because I got a call back within a week from someone who could actually help. They have a form on their website specifically for CONNECT system issues. Also, make sure you're checking your CONNECT account for any "correspondence" that might not show up in notifications. I had a critical document request buried in there that I almost missed. Don't give up - you WILL get through eventually. The $4,250 is worth fighting for. Document everything like others suggested, and try multiple approaches at once rather than just one at a time. Good luck!