Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Review

Stop voting republican is all I can say. Disgraceful.

Terrible communication. Website immediately locks me out. Automated phone message then disconnects. Automated e mail shows error message when you try to send.

Definitely made to make people not want to apply. Luckily I'm competent enough to finish an application. Rick Scott should be ashamed of himself.

People are going starving and becoming homeless because of how awful our system is, I feel like only God can save us now because my state has failed just flat out given up on nearly a million jobless taxpayers

I left one star, only because no stars was not an option.

I have filled out my unemployment forms. I have received a letter stating possible fraud. I was given a phone number to contact. I kid you not, 100 tries per day with no response. I found the e-mail to send additional documentation, no response. How does one actually speak to a human being? Please help find resolution to this issue.

I have been filed for a month with no response. They were able to review my second filing and mark it a duplicate yet still ignore my first filing. When calling for help if phone lines are busy, which they obviously are right now, they just hang up automatically. This is a system designed to be as difficult to use as possible.

The worst experience with any entity or system of my life and that includes a time in my life when I lived in a third-world country, they never treated me like this! I know there are hundreds of thousands possibly millions of people in the same boat right now but this is an amazingly painful experience to have to go through! I lost my job on March 25th and applied for unemployment assistance and have yet to see a cent of help from them, my status is pending. I have called hundreds of times trying to get through to some one but have not been able to get through to a human as of yet. Ron Desantis our governor has made a change in management at the top of this mess but I'm not sure if it will be enough, too little too late.

Seriously incompetent and questionable. Have to speak with several people in order to get a qualified worker. Had one employee in favor of prostitution while waiting for benefits and two that disconnected calls since they could not work their phones. Government workers...smh. These are the people that have jobs.

Update: After repeated calls for Supervisors went ignored, had to deal with two adjudicators that called on behalf of the below standard, unethical companies that do not want to pay. Ola, called on behalf of HF Holdings- a substandard 3rd party debt collection agency that does not actually collect from debtors. Instead they take money from their Clients for litigation against debtors. Then a Ms. Dwarka, calling on behalf of DCN Holdings aka Accounts Receivable. Me. Dwarka disconnected the call after I repeatedly asked for her Supervisors name and contact information. Neither of them took the information from me that they were supposedly calling for.

Instead they made it clear they were representatives of the perpetrators. Both HF Holdings via David Cohen(alias) and DCN Holdings lied. John Trizzano aka Anthony Pellino from Accounts Receivable made up blatent lies about an incident that never happened. And David Cohen lied about my production after admitting to me that their company did not have enough claims to work.

Unfortunately the inept adjudicators assigned by DE were not interested in hearing the truth.

Waiting for Supervisor call back yet again. Do not expect ethical nor fair treatment from DE. I am disgusted by the lack of integrity from all involved.

Update: OIG complaint against your department is on the agenda. April 3rd has come and gone.

Update: They portrayed me as Public Enemy #1 and now they want my help in removing incompetence and corruption in their office. Hello Internal Affairs. I certainly hope they will enjoy the probe up their own asses.

Update on Douchebags: You people suck. Barbara Hyde is worthless. Monica Blakey is also worthless. So is Nicole Santolli. You people cannot do your jobs.

Applied OVER a month ago, you cannot get through on the phone lines or the website. We NEED help. Jobs shutting down, being laid off, or furloughed was not OUR choice, yet we are the ones being punished for it. You said you hired new people to take on the workload of the new apps. So do what is right and get it done! Help your people!!

DEO website has several problems. Not submitted accurate info. Privacy breaches. Asking claimants to filling out apps and questionnaires but then the system and website doesn't input accurate information. I put in Marion county. A month later my app says Alachua. Then another month later I modified.. still havent received benefits. Also modified my original unemployement date but when I did the application processed my information incorrectly. I answered yes on the question asking am I able and available for work after first becoming unemployed and still available and able to this day. Somehow the DEO website input answer as " NO " which is false. Also I input my claimant I.D number when submitting but then afterwards the application says I didnt provide claimant I.D number which is false. My job closed March 20th, 2020 due to Covid-19 and due to the pandemic, and is still closed today June, 3rd, 2020 and I've recieved no assistance and application is being processed still. DEO then implemented a modification link on florida.jobs.org in late May, 2020 ; You can essentially modify your original date of being out of work and unemployed due to Covid-19 and due to the Pandemic. Essentially claimants who attempted to file a claim weeks prior because of Covid-19 and Pandemic can modify there original unemployment date using the new link implemented in May,2020 but the modification questionnaire form doesn't submit your answers correctly. There are more glitches in the DEO website. Another way for the website to process the wrong information and cheat people out of money by not making them eligible based off certain yes/no questions that make you eligible or ineligible for reemployment assistance, Pandemic assistance, " Cares Act " , and other reemployment assistance. When I submitted my modification claim answers and completed everything, I noticed my answers that I answered weren't what I filled in. The DEO website messed my modification claim up badly. Messed up the modification also. Submitted answers that I didn't answer. Filled in it's own answers. This may make me ineligible now. I need reemployment assistance and Pandemic assistance, cares act, etc. Florida is a horrible state to live in. Politicans, officials, officials who don't uphold the law, and state employees are corrupt. Some good, mainly bad. Borders aren't secure. Just the beginning. Florida has changed astronomically since the 21st century began. Florida is ranked in the bottom 10 of 50 states economically. Jobs, careers, are scarce. Low wages and low salary. No room for growth. Florida is a retirement state with decent beaches and affordable housing and living. Horrible state to work and salary and compensation is bare minimum. On April 14th, 2020 I was finally able to submit my application for reemployment assistance on the DEO website. My employer closed March 20th, 2020 due to Covid-19 and I tried applying for reemployment assistance and pandemic assistance a few times within the first week of being out of work on the DEO website. The website is horrible. It's like a high school teenager or college kid runs the software and I.T, etc. I tried applying for reemployment assistance multiple times within the first 2-3 weeks of being out of work.... and couldn't get through. Today is 5/26/2020 and I have been out of work since 3/20/2020.. and my application is still being processed. Once again my application was processed 4/14/2020 and today is 5/26/2020 and I have recieved zero assistance and I have been out of work since 3/20/2020. I have four weeks of claimed benefits that I have claimed on the DEO portal called Connect but I have recieved nothing from the DEO. I havent even recieved a penny from the DEO. My job is still closed and I have received nothing in 2 months., going on 2 and a half months of my job being closed. I have been affected in so many ways and the DEO has done nothing for me and my family. It's a much larger issue unfortunately. The state of florida is run backwards and becoming completely corrupt in the 21st century.

Absolute worst! The phone lines will walk you through the steps only to tell you their phone lines are busy and you will be disconnected. The website is a joke when it crashes every 30 seconds. The part of having to request benefits is a joke when they come back and say you are not eligible even though you are unemployed and not making money.... this has got to be the worst service ever and a change needs to take place starting at the top!

For been over a month and still no help from the DEO. Even Gov. Ron DeSantis state on tv that the system was designed and meant to fail.
I never give reviews but I had to speak this time.

I don't understand what the fool of desantis is doing, this department is a pure scam, don't pick up the phone and when they pick it up they leave you on hold and then hang up the phone, the people who work there are charging for hanging up the phone and one working like a slave to pay the taxes of these departments really this governed is a real idiot

Can not talk to a person who can help you out no matter what number you call.

I have had a terrible experience with unemployment. I haven t been able to work since March 15th, 2020 because of COVID-19. Every single day I have called and waited hours on the line for them to then hang up on me or the few times they have answered they say they can t help me, that it has to be someone from the office in Tallahassee. They tell me I m disqualified and that I have to send my info to another department but no one has gotten back to me. This is very disrespectful and inconsiderate of them.

My only regret is that I cannot give zero stars for these scammers.

total incompetent so sorry for the new hires that are no train properly you call both numbers and they answer for frenquaently ask question we need answer i have sumitte 4 application they keep changing the rules and the last aplication didnt let me add second employment and you cant to talk to no one

I dont usually do reviews like this but William was so so great! He was so kind and helpful and helped me through the troubles I was having. Thank you thank you thank you! I am so grateful for people like him!

I applied for unemployment benefits on March 23 and have still not received payment or an explanation as to why. The website does not retain or hold information either. When you call the number, there is an automated message and then it hangs up. Honestly, this is the poorest service one could receive in times such as these. Move to another state, because Florida doesn't care about it's citizens!

There is tech out there that could have taken care of this.You didn't care enough!

I don't know where to start! What be, I had to file paper bcuz no comp. They sed I claimed wrong filing date. Hours and hours of calls and being hung up on which accumulated in months.! Then they sent txt saying they found another employer I didn't mention. The employer was from 3 or more years ago. Since March 18 still nothing but hangups!!

This agency is a JOKE and lacks the focus and commitment to its mission and reasoning why it exist, in short they dont care and the system does not work

minus 10 stars. It's the worst department in the country, shame on management , all of them should be fired and then try to apply for unemployment

Iv been trying to get benefits since march 24th and my account is locked iv emailed faxed and mailed all documents and i cant get ahold of anyone on the phone my hair is starting to fall out from all the stress

I have submitted my claim 3/27/2020 still have no answer on getting unemployment today is 4/13/2020 thanks for not coming thru in the biggest time of need Florida government has failed its residents

If you need to contact a live person you have to call them first thing in the morning at 7:30 a.m. I've gotten a hold of someone by doing this.

Website is barely running. Automated phone service will hang up on you, thus being useless. "Sorry for any inconvenience." CLICK! They should hire me as their IT department and take out 2 birds with 1 stone.

I can't file online because website is not working and neither are their phones. Any one else have this issue?

It takes approx 20-30 minutes of waiting in virtual queue to log in to UI CONNECT website. It takes approx 50 attempts by phone to get anything other than "all lines are busy" message and disconnected. If you are lucky enough to make it to being on hold, you will have a 30-40 min wait on hold before you can talk to an agent who simply told me my claim was being processed and to be patient. I applied for benefits over 30 days ago and while everyone else from my company has recieved benefits, I still have not. I have checked the website repeatedly and have recieved no indications that there is additional info required or an issue to be addressed. Additionally the web address form to send them an electronic message only seems to say "an error occurred" after submitting my info and message. Not sure why they haven't fixed any of these issues, but it certainly is annoying.

Negative Stars. I have been pending for the past 3 plus months. No response on the phone line or the website. Zero support at all.

I'm only giving them 1 star because I can't give them zero. I filed my claim in March. I throughly filled out all that I was supposed to fill (or else my application would be incomplete). It took me over a week to complete because the system constantly kicked me out to re-sign in. But regardless, I managed to get it done. After a month of nothing, receive an email saying there was a change to my application and to call an outsource number. When I spoke to the woman, she couldn't answer claim specific questions but she said that it appeared Ithat i was "ineligible". I was confused because it IS NOT the first time I have used the connect system. Not to mention, she couldn't find my original claim because it was almost as if it was hidden. When I logged into connect, sure enough, I was deemed ineligible. When I checked to see why, it said that I did not input income information on my claim. That was impossible because I literally had my stubs in my hand when filling it out and made sure to include my income info (again, this isn't my first time using CONNECT so I know how it works). Come to find out through a CONNECT worker in an article that the system has done that to thousands of people and made it seem like we all have no income. 2 months later going on 3 and I'm not paid because their system messed up my application. I have been frustrated, doing my best to save what I have left to care for my one year old and manage but I honestly am at a point where I cannot take it anymore. I am only laid off due to Covid-19 and I am at my complete ends with the DEO. You guys are the worst and a clear example that our tax dollars does NOT serve us well. Thank you for making my life a nightmare.

I've spent hours upon hours on hold to be hung up on. The answering machine robot will also hang up on you. The website is rickety at best. Just let your brain turn to mush (to avoid getting worked up) and prepare to have the worst time you've ever had. If times are hard and you need to get something done- it just got 10000x more difficult by having to go through this. You will scream. You will cry. You will give up. You will try again and repeat the process until you are broken.

I hate leaving negative reviews. But, this entity has failed more than half of its targets. This is sad. Those that live in Florida have been taken advantage of.

Unbelievable. You can never get an actual human being - all of our assistants are busy and we can't offer you a call back at this time - thank you for your patience. How many others out there would like to shove the phone down the throat of whoever says that? There is no patience left, and the state is doing apparently absolutely nothing to improve the situation - if they are it is having NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER. Florida may be paradise, but when it comes to unemployment they could not care less that you live here.

Filed 2 months ago and 0 movement on my claim. Pretty sure I won't see a dime.

This site is created to fail. Desantis knows this and will pay for it at the polling place

I have been at my retail job since 2002, but have been out of work since March 27th due to this pandemic.
I have tried everyday since to file on-line or speak to an agent, but the on-line form says I have an INVALID birthdate and/ or social security number and therefore cannot move forward on the website, and then I ve been hung up on each time I ve called. I filed a hard copy in the mail (with more information than was requested/ copy of my W-2, my drivers license, etc) and FedEx tracked the delivery as of April 10.
I ve still heard NOTHING!!! If this were a private business, I would contact the BBB, but since the government holds all of the cards, we sit and wait. Still no stimulus check, still no unemployment relief.

Not user friendly. Can never get on. Called and no call back like they said l cannot get my issue resolved

Noobody to help!! Go to website and said: Difficulties to retrieve your information,

I have been unemployed for a little over six weeks. No one is hiring because of this virus and promises were broken. I had faith in my system as I am an disabled veteran, but now I say my faith is gone. I have tried calling these people for awhile no one answers and if they do they tell you the system is down, code for I am not helping you, or let me transfer you to someone who can help, code for you are on hold till you hang up. I can't seek legal counsel because all the lawyers want .money and I have none, and all we have is wait and it will get better speach. So if anyone is reading this don't get your hopes up because no one will help you.

Had to revise my review, as the CSR went above and beyond, obtained managerial approval, and helped my family during a really difficult time. There are a lot of "bad eggs" in civil service - those that have figured out the bare minimum to keeping a job for 20 years and retiring with juicy benefits, but there are a good number trying their best - they are simply in the vast minority and are underpaid, overworked, and unappreciated. If all government agencies were forced to work like a corporation in the private sector whereby workers were held to performance standards, managers were better trained, and budgets were met, the level of service in these organizations would rise dramatically.

Thanks for making me wait over 8 weeks for unemployment!!!!

My employer filed on my behalf 4/19. It took DEO four weeks to get back to me to set up pin and complete my application. Told I would hear from them when processed. Finally heard May 24th. Now my page on CONNECT shows my claim was submitted 5/25, not 4/19 when it was actually submitted.

Got e-mail today to log in to request benefit payment. Their links have NEVER worked, had to log in on floridajobs.com . Waited in the virtual waiting room over an hour only to find out there is NO PLACE TO REQUEST PAYMENT. There is on the website when you first get on it, but after logging in it disapears.

Try to call "no call back feature" and they hang up. Repeated e-mails have gone unanswered. My claim was submitted 4/19, it shows I am eligible, and as of June 4th I have still not received a cent in benefits.

My May lot rent for my mobile home STILL has not been paid. My June lot rent is due now. My car payment for May has not been paid, June bill just came in today. No money for utilities or food. Everywhere I turn they just IGNORE me.

My neice, who lives in Indiana, got her first check TEN DAYS after applying. Florida DEO is pathetic. There are families with small children out there that have no food on the table because there is nowhere to turn for help!

SHAMEFULL Florida!

the FLORIDA Department of Economic Opportunity fail day after day and continue till todays date 4/24/2020 its been over 40 days waiting to be able to speak with somebody from the FL DEO. I underestand now why is so important to vote.

The absolute worst unemployment system in the country! 0 star rating!!!

People want government to run healthcare systems? Bureaucrats can t even run an unemployment office.

Every time I try and call I get "All phone lines are busy and we cannot offer callback at this time. Please submit your question online." Go to submit my question online? "Oops, there was an error." If someone actually works there, I may never know.

Horrible service, Automated system does not have the right selections and hangs up on you if they are to busy to take your call. The Connect system they have in place takes weeks to update and delays any help you will receive. You are better off finding a cheap hourly to help pay the bills until you can get a more permanent job.

No response from anybody. Cant get through on phone lines provided.42 days since I first applied on "Pegasus" system that didn't transfer all of the information because of a "glitch " had to re apply on Connect received my pin 30 days into this ordeal which was already active. No response whatsoever and the governor says it's our fault. The system is broken.

make sure you all remember this time in our lifes when going to vote in November 2020

I have been calling and have sent multiple emails to the Florida Department of Unemplyment for a few weeks to inform them I am back at work and to STOP sending me money and to no avail do I get a response.

I have been on unemployment twice in my working life. I wish I could say that all these reviews are spot on. Fortunately for me, I had no problems signing up, and receiving my benefits. I admit, trying to get someone on the telephone is nearly impossible. The people whom take the calls really are part of the problem insofar as all the negative reviews. I am under the impression that the call center employees only take calls. Being how long the wait times are (1-5 hours) I would not think there is time to do anything else. Sadly, their are folks who pretend to do their job and get paid. That is unacceptable, in fact it is fraud. Other than the call center, the DEO has held their end of the deal regarding my case. When I did have to call, I simply choose the option to report fraud. You would not believe how fast that line is answered! There is no wait time to report fraud. That tells me there is little to no fraud being committed on behalf of the unemployment recipients.
Thank You DEO for your support during these turbulent tribulations.
Ian W. Scott

This is the 8th time I loged in today and it keeps kicking me off and have me re-login all over again while I'm trying to putting in my weekly information. I've been eligible since March and still have not seen one check. I'm 2 1/2months behind on rent and it also keeps saying my weekly benefits and disqualified even though I was laid off due to covid 19. I cant get ahold of anyone on the phone! I'm about to lose everything!! I need help! This website is useless.

I've seen kids run lemonade stands better than this. Completely unorganized, outdated technology, then we have an incompetent govenor and senator that is all complicit with this bs.... there is a time for change and it begins in November let's vote out these clowns.... but overall this place is a joke

Platform kicks you out. But the worst is not being able to get support! In addition to your reviews here they should be posted on Twitter to call attention to your personal situations. I am sorry to those loosing their homes and not being able to buy food. Please post it on Twitter so DEO and DSantis can see them.

Call center is busy, no call back. And when they do ansser, the system is down.

This system is designed to make one not want to deal with it. Years ago it was a 2 minute call to claim benefits. They made it complex and difficult to deter people from claiming unemployment benefits. As if getting laid off isn't stressful enough. Typical bureaucratic nonsense.

Told to get a hold of them and CANT no one emails will go through havent gotten through on the phone for weeks etc how am i supposed to fix the issues if i cant get a hold of ANYONE

They failed us. Website down and phones not working. Been trying a month now to file. During Covid-19

I am unable to reach a representative. I have tried for days. I am booted out of the Connect system. I am self-employed, and it listed FEMA as my employer. I can't find useful information on the website. I have received no response from sending a message to the online system.

Good luck talking to anyone that could actually help you with your problem.

System was working fine for the past 2 weeks, now they decided this was a good idea, speechless.....been waiting in line for over two hours now

Absolutely no consistent information. Confusing and frustrating. Still waiting months. No changes

And people want the government to control your healthcare as well.....lols

worst department in usa should close staff is earning money for nothing and people without reciving benefits for eat and pay rent

THEY HUNG UP ON ME 4 TIMES
POOR LEADERSHIP ---VOTE THEM ALL OUT NOVEMEBER 3
vote democratic !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Florida governors new pick for DEO is severely bias against any help to Floridians from the federal government

Horrible people just rude. Never return phone calls or emails.

This review is in reference to the employees of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. If I was reviewing the technology the stars would be much lower. The people working at the Florida Department of Economic, they have worked with tooth picks and popsicle sticks in the attempt to provide unemployment benefits.

I personally have made every effort to acquire unemployment benefits. From 100+ phone calls to driving 4 hours, 8 hours round trip, to the office only to find it had been locked down.

The 5 stars are in reference to the employees I have made contact with. I had met an employee outside of work and requested a moment to explained my circumstances. I was shown empathy and provided an email address.

Within 48 hours I received a call. My issue was not resolved in a single call and follow up call was received the next day. My claim was moved along the process.

As of today, two months later, my claim has not been processed. No fault to the employee(s) with Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. I sent a follow up email and received an initial response in less than 30 minutes my issue has been communicated to the assistance team.

You told me I would get a link and be invited to apply for PUA once you deemed the state claim ineligible. I waited 6 weeks, finally got my ineligible decision... NO LINK! Give me the link!!!

Filed March 15 finally had my claim processed April 26th. Received my first deposit from state Monday. Now my account shows inactive but a monetary amount.Can't reach anyone with an answer. Why receive a deposit then become inactive. Also no federal assisstance either!

What a joke, I can never get through to anyone. What a joke. Are you serious Florida?

As an employer they are impossible to contact. They sent me an email with do not reply attached warning me to log in and take appropriate action. I have no log on details, I called and waited an hour to be told they will be sent out. Two weeks later nothing in the mail and another two warning emails, telling me I am in breach for not responding. Exactly what else can I do? Do they not have a human? give me a log in and I can log in and take any action you want. Typical government office at its worse.

trying to apply for reemployment for some aid, called 4xs, no help, drove to building-shut down, tried online-states call them. cant get through to apply online, called atty generals office-leave message-i guess their closed down too? so the stimulus package offered by trump is not going so well for us employees

In 2020 I do not understand how a website can be so obsolete and ineffective unless it eere not done purposely. Absolutely a disgrace to the citizens of this state. A word of advice, call Turbo Tax to redo your website because what is in place is a travesty....

They deserve no stars at all, FL unemployment is a bad joke.

This is my first ever experience dealing with unemployment, and this is by far the worst government organization I've ever encountered. The lack of transparency, and lack of answers are appalling. No signs of a fix.

filed for unemployment, turn down due to moving to florida 9 months ago , sent me a letter saying to call a number if i work in another state, tried calling , got a robot voice , cannot connect with a real person, tried over and over, florida government really sucks for the working man , very mad at the system

Trying to call DEO is a joke, says the wait time is over 2 hours - bet that isn't real. Trying to get tax forms from them. The tax forms documents on website is blank. Emailed them -no response. Never received 1099s in mail and can't get from website. But they did not forget to report my measly income from them to the state. Worst government service ever.

I wish I can give a lower review, what a terrible job they are doing.

6 weeks without any anything but an ineligible status and reapplication. The entire system is a joke and nothing more than the state's way to profit from the interest in the banks.

I would give 0 if I could. To say this unemployment system is a joke, would be an understatement. The website consistently crashes, the phone number does not work, all you get is a busy signal. I applied and waited 4 weeks to be denied then I was prompted to reapply, I did and they said come back in 72 hours to check the status. It has been 2 weeks and still no reply to my new application.

Unbelievable that your agencys policy is to pass the buck

Just the absolute worst. Was unemployed for a month last year and never received any benefits. My heart goes out to anyone unemployed during this time struggling to receive benefits from this terrible place

I applied unemployment since June till today my application is still on pending. I am under PUA program because I didn't meet the state base. I have two jobs before the covid-19 hit and got paid under commission and a W-2 . I called many times why my application is still pending and finally one lady answered my called and told me to write a letter and any evidence that I prove my employment and fax it to DEO and I did all of that. I called again the other day to follow up my application and the person that answered my call told me that I have no working history to their system! I was employed with Conrad Spa Brickell and Sayos Spa in downtown Miami and I put all the information in the system. The Conrad Spa send me a letter that they have to permanently put me on permanent layoff due to Covid-19 and they have to close the business this year. And the lady on the phone told me that they didn't receives any of these information and even the documents that I sent through fax. What a cruel people! The Florida State abandoned so many people at this moment! while they overpaid others, while others didn't get any penny of help! Horrible system and horrible leadership!

Useless. Never answers phones. Takes their sweet time. They don t care.