Florida DEO Agency Assist Customer Service Issues

I have been trying to submit my benefit claims for the weeks of 3/15 and 3/22 through the DEO online system for weeks now. Each time I attempt to do so, I encounter errors that kick me back to the homepage, making it impossible to complete the process. I am concerned about the amount in my DEO account and whether it remains there until used, especially given the system crashes and malfunctions. The inefficiency is frustrating, and I know someone who spent over 5 hours submitting just one week's claim. My claim number is [redacted]. The phone numbers provided are unhelpful, and the live chat option prompted me to pay $1 with credit card information, which I find concerning. Regards, Judith Piccirillo.

I lost my job on March 17th because of the pandemic. I've been dedicating 2-7 hours daily to filing for unemployment. I submitted a paper application and also applied online through the new Florida unemployment portal. After three weeks of being laid off, when can I expect to receive benefits? How can I set up a direct deposit instead of opting for a debit card? Despite reaching out to the Florida DEO and state representatives multiple times, I haven't received any updates on my application status. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

My name is Yolanda Jenkins-Jackson, and I am reaching out for financial assistance from the state of Florida. I applied for unemployment on March 19 with Claimant ID [redacted] but have seen no progress since. I have spent countless hours calling daily, feeling increasingly frustrated as a single mother of three. Seeing others in similar situations on Facebook only adds to my depression. Please help us Floridians facing these challenges during this difficult time. I am proud to be a Floridian and would appreciate any additional support you can offer. Thank you in advance. You can reach me at [redacted]. Yolanda Jenkins-Jackson [redacted] SW 29th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL [redacted]

I was furloughed from Disney World on 4-19. I received two weeks of vacation pay but haven't heard anything from Disney since. I applied for benefits through the DEO on 5-4, but my application got locked, asking me to verify my identity by calling [redacted]. I've been calling every day, multiple times, with no luck getting through. After 30 years at Disney, I'm running out of money and facing the possibility of living in my car. I'm not looking for a handout, just temporary assistance. I followed advice on Facebook and emailed copies of my driver's license and social security card to [redacted] on May 9th and again on May 13th. I only received an automated email thanking me for my email and stating they'll reach out if they need more information. I'm running out of options and would appreciate any help or guidance. Thank you, Mark.

My name is Gary K. Fitzgerald, SSAN [redacted]-50-[redacted], FLUID Claimant#[redacted]. I am filing a claim with the DEO office regarding my pending weeks to receive RA benefits. Up until the week of 5/10-5/25, I had no issues accessing the website for updates and related information. However, now that my claim is due, I am unable to file it as required. Spending over nine hours on the phone and internet trying to complete the process has not been successful, and I have not been able to get assistance from a DEO phone agent. Although I understand the high volume of applications being processed, it has been noted that residents in California, a densely populated state, have not faced similar difficulties. Despite assurances from Gov. DeSantis, the issue has not been resolved for me and other Floridians. I kindly request assistance from your office to ensure I can receive my entitled benefits before the deadline of 06/04. Thank you.

I applied for unemployment benefits on 4/16/[redacted] due to the closure of the store I worked at. My claim ID is C977360, and it has been pending for 9 weeks. I believe I am eligible for federal funds of $[redacted] per week retroactive to my filing date if I don't qualify for state benefits. Despite my persistent efforts to contact the DEO at 1-[redacted] and reaching out to various officials, I have yet to receive any answers. I urge for immediate action as I am in financial distress after waiting for 9 weeks without any payment. The DEO owes me at least $5,[redacted] in federal funds alone, not considering potential state benefits. My email is [redacted] Urgent action is requested.

I am seeking assistance from Director Lawson regarding the ongoing issues I am facing with my PUA application. My name is Michael Gordon, and I run Michael Gordon Homes LLC in Florida. For the past six and a half weeks, I have been attempting to complete the application online. However, each time I log in, I encounter delays and errors preventing me from proceeding. I have been instructed to contact a number for help, only to be told by agents that it's an IT problem that they cannot resolve. I have even tried to obtain a paper application from a resource center, but was informed that they do not provide assistance with PUA applications. Despite reaching out to our local senator for help, the situation remains unresolved and incredibly frustrating. I am in desperate need of assistance to progress with my application.

When inputting my phone number for my former employer in my Florida unemployment application, I receive an error message stating "Invalid value specified for DetFedEmpPhone. Value doesn't adhere to the Validate: USPhone." I am confused by the term "DetFedEmpPhone" as I was not a federal employee, and my employer was not federal. Additionally, I am unsure of what "doesn't adhere to the validate US phone" means. Can anyone clarify these terms for me?

I am 75 years old, and I have not yet received the $[redacted] COVID supplemental payment. I attempted to apply for unemployment three times, but the website was not working. Finally, when it did work, they deemed me ineligible, and I am unsure why. My income since January has been around $[redacted], in addition to receiving $[redacted] in Social Security, which is not enough to cover my expenses. I have lost my home and am currently staying with a friend for $[redacted] a month. I urgently need assistance with paying bills and purchasing food, but it feels like no one is willing to help or support me. Please, I am desperate for help. Email me at [redacted]

I applied for lost wages due to reduced work hours resulting in smaller paychecks. Although I received approval for regular unemployment, there were weeks where I was ineligible to claim based on my earnings. After the waiting period, I became fully unemployed and found a new job a week later. I only worked at the new job for eight days before becoming unemployed again at the end of June. I submitted my claim two weeks ago and received a pending decision. After submitting another claim yesterday, the decision is still pending without any apparent issues. I am puzzled why I have not received my unemployment benefits or the additional $[redacted] per week, especially after being jobless for over a month despite briefly working at a new job. Any insights or assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I was approved for benefits shortly after the deadline to request benefits for the week following 10/6. I attempted to request the benefits, but the system indicated the deadline had passed, considering I had just been approved on 10/6. I believe I should still be eligible to receive the benefits for that week. It seems I have not received any benefits this week after only receiving $68 last week. I was hoping to benefit from the extra $[redacted] mentioned in the recent bill as well as the option for PUA or PUAC for an additional $[redacted] plus $[redacted] weekly. However, my account only shows a scheduled payment of $68 biweekly. I would appreciate any assistance in resolving this issue promptly. Thank you for your attention to this matter. -Cam

I am F.T.G. Schneier, a dyslexic artist who has been waiting for weeks for pandemic payments. The pandemic shut down three of my exhibits in March, greatly affecting my business. Being unfamiliar with unemployment, I mistakenly answered some questions on the quarterly questionnaire. I have owned my business for over 22 years and am struggling to make ends meet. I need help to survive and continue my work. Please visit my website www.tobygotesmanschneier.com to learn more about me. I misunderstood some questions regarding my employment status and urgently require the assistance I am eligible for. Thank you.

As a sole proprietor residing in Florida, I have registered my business through my bank. This sole proprietorship is based in Florida, where I work remotely as an independent contractor for a Colorado company on a [redacted] basis. However, when trying to input the Colorado employer in the Connect system, I encountered an error message stating that I cannot use a Florida address for out-of-state employment. Since I conduct all my work from Florida, how should I accurately enter my employment information in the system to address this issue? Additionally, when attempting to register my sole proprietorship as a business entity, the system indicates that it cannot locate my business. Is there a specific method to identify my Florida-based business in a way that the system will recognize?

I received my PUA benefits, but I noticed the affected date was incorrect; it should have been 04/05/[redacted]. After correction, I logged in to find I had 17 weeks to claim. When attempting to claim the back weeks, my payments were put on hold. Despite continuing to claim weekly, I haven't received any payments since the beginning of October. Now, the system is indicating I am ineligible, with a changed date, and the previously claimed weeks remain on hold.

DEO has halted my assistance since December 09, [redacted] without providing any explanation. As a business owner in Florida for 21 years who has never previously requested aid, the impact of the ongoing pandemic on my business, coupled with health challenges since January [redacted] necessitating frequent medical treatment, has left me struggling. The weekly $[redacted] assistance had been crucial in helping to cover my $[redacted] medical expenses, which are essential for my well-being. Regrettably, DEO has ceased payments for over a month, causing unnecessary hardship. It is my belief that a complete overhaul is needed within the agency, potentially replacing bureaucratic processes with more efficient AI systems to prevent individuals from enduring such distressing situations in the future.

I have been on Florida Unemployment Assistance since March [redacted]. At the end of the year, I submitted a new application for PUA because my unemployment benefits ran out. I have been claiming my weeks, but my monetary status remains pending. Despite a successful call on 1/20/20, during which my agent contacted multiple departments to help, my issue persists. My case was deemed a priority due to a significant data entry error. My last payment was on 12/24/[redacted], causing my rent to be consistently late since September. I have tried contacting them through various phone numbers, including a callback request, but have had no luck. It has been 7 weeks without payment, and any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Connect claim #: [redacted] Sincerely, CB

Hello, I submitted my application for Pandemic employment assistance on April 15, [redacted], at 4:56 pm. My Claimant ID is C-[redacted]. Despite my status showing as submitted, I have not received any assistance. After speaking with my former colleague, Sonia, she advised me to wait as she had also experienced delays but eventually received support. Following her advice, I contacted DEO, and an employee informed me that I would receive back payments once I completed my application online. However, upon doing as instructed, the system considered it a new claim and disqualified me due to my current employment status. It is puzzling why a DEO representative would ask me to reapply, knowing my situation. I seek assistance in resolving this to receive the support I am entitled to. Thank you.

I recently submitted multiple weeks for payment, but they are now showing as being on hold when I check my payment details. I initially received payment for a few weeks, then the rest of the weeks became available for claiming in the system. However, all the weeks I just submitted are now showing as on hold instead of pending payments. I'm facing difficulties reaching out for help via phone, and I urgently need to resolve this issue to avoid losing my apartment due to rent arrears. Please contact me at [redacted] or email me at [redacted] Thank you.

I have detailed notes in my claim profile regarding 21 missed weeks of retro pay from [redacted] that I was confirmed to receive. I initially received 9 weeks on February 22nd but have been waiting for the remaining 12 weeks to show up for the past 4 months. Despite being assured by representatives that these weeks were on the way, I encountered an issue on June 8th when an agent released the weeks for me to claim. After claiming 3 weeks, the remaining weeks disappeared the next day, and I was unable to access them. I am concerned that claiming the current week will affect the balance meant for my retro pay. The weeks in question are from 11/25/20 to 1/10/21. When I checked the status of the claimed weeks, they were listed as ineligible, possibly due to being filed under a different claim format from [redacted]. I was informed that these 12 weeks of retro pay were supposed to come from Federal sources. Despite reaching out via virtual claim tickets on floridajobs.org, I have not received any assistance or callbacks from representatives.

I've been struggling with my reemployment claim ***** which has been locked. Despite verifying my identity multiple times using ID me, my account remains inaccessible. Calling DEO over [redacted] times with only 3 successful connections led to no resolution as my locked account posed a problem. Even after speaking with Joanna at [redacted], who promised to fast-track my issue, I never heard back. It's been nearly 5 weeks without benefits, and my attempts to reach out via email and phone have been fruitless. To add to the frustration, my ID me account has been suspended without any guidance on how to rectify the situation. I'm at a loss and in desperate need of assistance to resolve this. Gary French