What CONNECT MyFlorida is and where to find it

CONNECT MyFlorida is the online portal where you file for unemployment benefits in Florida. It is run by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). You do not mail forms or call a phone line to start your claim — you create an account on CONNECT, answer questions about your job loss, and submit your information through the website.

The portal is at connect.myflorida.com. You will need a computer or smartphone with internet access. If you do not have reliable internet at home, you can use a public library computer or visit a DEO office in person, though in-person visits are now by appointment only in most counties.

CONNECT handles both regular unemployment benefits and Reemployment information for Disaster Unemployment information (RAUA) if you lost work due to a declared disaster. The same account works for both programs.

Key Takeaways

  • You must create a CONNECT account and file your claim online at connect.myflorida.com; Florida does not accept paper applications for new claims.
  • Have your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last job ready before you start, because the form does not save as you go.
  • File as soon as you know you are unemployed, because benefits are backdated only to the week you actually lost work, not the week you file.
  • After you file, you must certify your weekly claim every two weeks by logging back into CONNECT and confirming you are still unemployed and looking for work.
  • If CONNECT rejects your claim or asks for documents, you will receive a notice by mail with instructions on how to respond through the portal.

Creating your CONNECT account and logging in

Go to connect.myflorida.com and click "Create Account" or "New User" (the button name changes occasionally). You will be asked for an email address and a password you create yourself. Write down your email and password somewhere safe — you will need them every time you log in to check your claim status or certify your weekly claim.

Florida will send you a confirmation email. Click the link in that email to set up your account. If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder. Once your account is active, you can log in with your email and password.

If you already have a CONNECT account from a previous claim, use the same email and password to log back in. Do not create a second account. If you forgot your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page and follow the steps to reset it.

What information you need before you file

Gather these items before you start your claim. CONNECT does not save your progress as you fill it out — if your internet cuts off or you close the browser, you lose what you typed and must start over.

You will need: your Social Security number, your date of birth, your Florida driver's license number or state ID number, the name and address of your last employer, your job title, the date you started and date you stopped working, and the reason you are no longer employed (laid off, quit, fired, hours reduced, etc.). Have your most recent pay stub handy if you can find it — it shows your employer's name and address.

You will also be asked whether you have ever filed for unemployment in Florida before, whether you are receiving workers' compensation or disability benefits, and whether you are in school or training. Answer honestly. Lying on your claim can result in overpayment demands and fraud charges.

Filing your initial claim step by step

After you log in, click "File a New Claim" or "New Claim". The form will ask you to confirm your personal information first — name, address, phone number, email. Make sure your address is current, because Florida will mail you notices there.

Next, you will answer questions about your employment. Be specific about the reason you are no longer working. If you were laid off, say "laid off." If your hours were cut, say "hours reduced" and write how many hours you used to work versus how many you work now. If you quit, you must explain why — Florida pays benefits to people who quit only if the reason was "good cause" (unsafe conditions, wage theft, harassment, etc.), so be clear about what happened.

You will be asked about any income you earned in the week you lost your job. If you worked part of that week and were paid, report that amount. You will also be asked whether you are looking for work and whether anything prevents you from working (illness, childcare, transportation). Answer truthfully.

At the end, review everything. Once you submit, you cannot change it through CONNECT — if something is wrong, you will have to contact DEO or wait for them to contact you. Click "Submit Claim" when you are ready.

What happens after you file

You will see a confirmation screen with a claim number. Write this down. Florida will send you a confirmation email and a letter by mail within a few days. The letter will include your claim number, the week your benefits start, and instructions for certifying your claim.

Florida then reviews your claim. This usually takes one to two weeks, but can take longer if DEO needs to contact your employer or if there are questions about why you left your job. During this time, you do not receive money yet — you are waiting for approval.

If DEO approves your claim, you will receive a letter saying so, and your first payment will be deposited into your bank account or sent to a debit card (you choose during filing). If DEO denies your claim, the letter will explain why and tell you how to appeal.

Certifying your claim every two weeks

Once your claim is approved, you must certify every two weeks that you are still unemployed and looking for work. Certification is how you actually receive your weekly payment — if you do not certify, you do not get paid that week.

Log into CONNECT and look for "Certify" or "Weekly Claim". You will be asked to confirm that you are still unemployed, that you looked for work during that week, and that you did not earn any income. If you worked part-time or earned any money, report it — your benefit amount is reduced by part of what you earned, but you still receive something.

Certify as soon as the option appears in CONNECT. Do not wait until the important date. If you miss the important date (usually two weeks after the week you are certifying for), you lose that week's payment and must contact DEO to ask them to reopen it.

Common problems and what to do

If CONNECT shows an error message when you try to file or certify, try logging out, closing your browser completely, and logging back in. Clear your browser cache if the problem continues. If you are still stuck, try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) or a different device (phone instead of computer).

If DEO sends you a notice asking for documents or information, you usually can upload them through CONNECT. Log in, look for "Correspondence" or "Messages," and follow the link to upload. If you cannot upload through the portal, the notice will give you a fax number or mailing address. Do not ignore the notice — if you do not respond by the important date, DEO will deny your claim.

If your claim is denied and you disagree, you have the right to appeal. The denial letter will explain how. You must request an appeal within 20 days of the letter date. You can request it through CONNECT or by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for unemployment by phone or mail instead of online?

No. Florida requires all new claims to be filed through CONNECT online. If you cannot use a computer, you can visit a DEO office by appointment to use their computer, or ask a friend or family member to help you file. Call your local DEO office to schedule an appointment.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

It usually takes one to three weeks from the day you file. DEO must review your claim first (one to two weeks), then process your payment (a few days). If you chose direct deposit, the money goes to your bank account. If you chose a debit card, the card arrives by mail.

What if I worked part of the week I lost my job?

Report the income you earned that week on your claim. Your weekly benefit is reduced by a portion of what you earned, but you still receive a payment. For example, if your weekly benefit is $275 and you earned $100, you might receive $200 that week.

Do I have to look for a job while I am on unemployment?

Yes. When you certify every two weeks, you confirm that you looked for work. You do not have to prove it to DEO, but you must be honest. If you are not looking for work, you should not certify, because doing so is fraud.

What if I forget to certify by the important date?

You will miss that week's payment. Contact DEO as soon as you remember and ask them to reopen your claim for that week. They may allow you to certify late, but it is not may provide. It is easier to certify on time.