Where to find the official Florida unemployment website

The official Florida unemployment website is CONNECT, run by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). You reach it at connect.myflorida.com. This is the only site where you file a claim, check your claim status, certify for weekly benefits, or manage your account. No other website processes Florida unemployment claims.

CONNECT replaced the older system in 2013. If you have filed before, your old account does not transfer — you will create a new one. The site works on desktop browsers and mobile browsers, though the desktop version is easier to navigate if you are doing this for the first time.

The site is live 24 hours a day, but DEO performs maintenance on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Eastern time. If you get an error message during those windows, wait and try again after 6 a.m.

Key Takeaways

  • CONNECT (connect.myflorida.com) is the only official site to file a claim, check status, or certify weekly — do not use any other website claiming to process Florida unemployment.
  • You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your last employer to create an account and file a claim.
  • After you file, you must certify for benefits every two weeks by logging back in and answering questions about your work and income — missing a certification important date stops your payments.
  • The site shows your claim status, payment history, and any messages from DEO about documents you need to send or issues with your claim.
  • If you cannot reach CONNECT or need to speak to someone, call the DEO claims line at 1-833-352-7992 (toll-free) during business hours.

Creating your CONNECT account and logging in

Before you file a claim, you need a CONNECT account. Go to connect.myflorida.com and click "Create Account" on the login page. You will be asked for your email address, a password you create, and your Social Security number. Write down your password — you will need it every time you log in.

After you create the account, DEO sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. Open that email and click the link to confirm your account. If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder. Once confirmed, you can log in with your email and password.

If you forget your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page and follow the steps to reset it. If you forget your email address or cannot access the email account you used, call 1-833-352-7992 and a DEO representative can help you regain access.

Filing a claim on CONNECT

After you log in, click "File a New Claim" or "File a Claim" (the wording varies). The system will ask you a series of questions about your job loss, your work history, and your personal information. Have these documents ready before you start: your Social Security card or number, your driver's license or state ID number, and the name and address of your last employer.

The claim form asks when you last worked, why you are no longer working (laid off, quit, fired, hours reduced), how much you earned, and whether you have worked in other states in the past 18 months. Answer honestly — DEO verifies your answers by contacting your employer. If your answers do not match what your employer reports, DEO will contact you to clarify.

The form takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete. You can save your progress and come back later if you need to — click "Save and Continue Later" at the bottom of each page. When you finish and submit, CONNECT shows you a confirmation number. Write this down or take a screenshot. You will use it to check your claim status.

Checking your claim status and payment history

After you file, log into CONNECT and click "View Claim Status" or "My Claims" (exact wording varies by update). The site shows whether your claim is "Submitted," "Under Review," "Approved," or "Denied." If it is under review, DEO is verifying your information with your employer. This usually takes 1 to 3 weeks.

Once your claim is approved, CONNECT shows your weekly benefit amount — the dollar amount you receive each week you are out of work. It also shows your "Benefit Year End Date," which is one year from the date you filed. After that date, you cannot draw benefits on this claim and must file a new one if you are still out of work.

The "Payment History" section shows every payment DEO has sent you, the date it was sent, and the method (direct deposit or debit card). If a payment is missing or shows the wrong amount, note the date and call 1-833-352-7992 with your confirmation number.

Certifying for benefits every two weeks

Approving your claim does not automatically send you money. You must certify for benefits every two weeks by logging into CONNECT and answering questions about your work and income during that period. DEO will tell you the exact dates you must certify by — usually Sunday through Friday of the second week after you filed.

To certify, log in and click "Certify for Benefits" or "Weekly Certification" (wording varies). Answer whether you worked, how many hours you worked, how much you earned, and whether you refused any job offers. Answer truthfully — if you earned money or worked hours and do not report it, DEO will ask you to repay the benefits.

If you miss a certification important date, your payments stop. You can certify late (usually up to two weeks after the important date), but you will not receive payment for the weeks you missed. Set a phone reminder for the first day of your certification window so you do not forget.

Uploading documents and responding to DEO requests

While your claim is under review or after it is approved, DEO may send you a message in CONNECT asking for documents. Common requests are a copy of your driver's license, proof of separation from your employer (a termination letter or final pay stub), or proof of identity. Check CONNECT at least twice a week for messages.

To upload a document, log in and look for "Messages" or "Correspondence" (exact location varies). Click the message from DEO and follow the link to upload. You can upload a photo of a document taken with your phone, a scanned copy, or a PDF. The file must be under 10 MB and in a common format (JPG, PNG, or PDF).

DEO usually gives you 10 days to upload. If you miss the important date, your claim may be denied. If you cannot find the upload link or do not understand what document DEO is asking for, call 1-833-352-7992 and read the message number to the representative.

Troubleshooting common CONNECT problems

If you see an error message saying "Invalid Username or Password," make sure you are using the email address and password you created, not your Social Security number. Passwords are case-sensitive, so check that Caps Lock is off. If you still cannot log in, use "Forgot Password" to reset it.

If CONNECT is very slow or you get a message saying the site is unavailable, try again in a few minutes. If the problem continues and it is not Tuesday or Wednesday morning, call 1-833-352-7992. Do not use a different website or phone number — scam sites pretending to be CONNECT exist and will steal your information.

If you filed a claim but cannot see it in CONNECT, wait 24 hours. New claims take time to appear in the system. If it still does not show after 24 hours, call 1-833-352-7992 with your confirmation number and ask them to locate your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim on the phone instead of using CONNECT?

No. Florida requires all claims to be filed through CONNECT. You cannot file by phone, mail, or in person. If you cannot use a computer, you can call 1-833-352-7992 and ask whether a DEO office near you offers computer access to file, though availability varies by location.

What if I do not have an email address?

You need an email address to create a CONNECT account. If you do not have one, you can create a free account at Gmail.com, Yahoo.com, or Outlook.com in a few minutes. Use any name and password you remember. Once you have an email, use it to create your CONNECT account.

How long does it take to get my first payment after I file?

If your claim is approved, your first payment arrives 1 to 2 weeks after approval. Payments are sent by direct deposit (fastest, 1 to 2 business days) or to a debit card (3 to 5 business days). You choose the method when you file. If you chose direct deposit, make sure the bank account information you entered is correct.

What happens if DEO denies my claim?

CONNECT will show "Denied" and explain the reason — usually that you quit without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or do not meet work history requirements. You have 20 days from the denial date to file an appeal. Log into CONNECT, find the denial notice, and click "Appeal" to request a hearing before a judge.

Can I use CONNECT on my phone?

Yes, CONNECT works on mobile browsers. Open connect.myflorida.com in Safari or Chrome on your phone and log in the same way. The mobile version is smaller and may be harder to read, but all the same functions work — you can file, certify, check status, and upload documents.