Where to log in and what you need

Florida's unemployment system is called CONNECT, and you log in at connect.myflorida.com. You will need your Social Security number and the password you created when you first filed your claim. If you do not have a password yet, you can create one on the login page by selecting "New User" — but only if you have already filed a claim through the mail, phone, or in person. You cannot start a new claim through the login page itself.

Before you try to log in, have your Social Security number and any documentation from your claim handy. If you filed your claim more than a few weeks ago, you may have received a letter from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) with your claim number. That number is not required to log in, but it helps if you need to contact support.

Key Takeaways

  • CONNECT is Florida's unemployment system, and you log in at connect.myflorida.com using your Social Security number and a password you create.
  • You can only create a login if you have already filed a claim through another method — you cannot start a new claim on the login page.
  • Once logged in, you can view your claim status, upload documents, and certify for weekly benefits if your claim is active.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page; if you forget your Social Security number or cannot access your account, contact the DEO by phone or through their website.

Step-by-step login process

Go to connect.myflorida.com. On the homepage, you will see a login box on the right side of the page. Enter your Social Security number in the first field — use the format with dashes (for example, 123-45-6789). Enter your password in the second field. Passwords are case-sensitive, so make sure Caps Lock is off unless you set your password with capital letters.

Click the "Login" button. If your information is correct, you will be taken to your claim dashboard. This page shows your claim status, the date you filed, and any messages from the DEO. If you see an error message, check that you entered your Social Security number and password exactly as you created them. Do not include spaces or extra characters.

If you are logging in from a public computer or a shared device, log out when you are finished. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner and select "Logout." Do not close the browser window without logging out, as this leaves your account accessible to the next person who uses that computer.

What to do if you cannot remember your password

On the CONNECT login page, click the "Forgot Password?" link below the password field. You will be asked to enter your Social Security number. The system will send a password reset link to the email address you provided when you filed your claim. Check your email inbox and spam folder — the message may take a few minutes to arrive.

Click the link in the email. You will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. Passwords must be at least 8 characters long and include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character (such as ! @ # $ % ^ &). Write down your new password in a safe place, or use a password manager to store it.

If you do not receive the password reset email within 15 minutes, check that the email address on file is correct. You can verify this by calling the DEO at 1-833-FL-UNEMP (1-833-358-6367). Have your Social Security number ready when you call.

Accessing your claim information after login

Once you are logged into CONNECT, your dashboard shows several key pieces of information. At the top, you will see your current claim status — this might say "Active," "Inactive," "Pending," or "Denied." Below that, you will see your weekly benefit amount (the maximum you can receive per week) and your claim balance (the total amount available to you under this claim).

On the left side of the page, you will see a menu with options including "View Claim Details," "Claim History," and "Certify for Benefits." If your claim is active and you are required to certify weekly, a "Certify Now" button will appear prominently on your dashboard. Certification means confirming that you are still unemployed and meet the requirements to receive benefits that week. You must certify by the important date shown on your screen, usually a Sunday or Monday.

If the DEO has sent you a message about your claim — for example, asking you to upload documents or verify your identity — you will see a notification on your dashboard. Click on the notification to read the full message and see what action is needed.

Uploading documents through your CONNECT account

If the DEO asks you to upload documents, you can do this through CONNECT without calling or visiting an office. After you log in, look for a section labeled "Upload Documents" or "Correspondence." Click on it, and you will see a list of documents the DEO is requesting.

Click on the document type you need to upload. A window will open where you can select a file from your computer. The system accepts PDF, JPG, and PNG files. Make sure the file is clear and readable — blurry or sideways images may be rejected. If you are uploading a photo of a document, take the picture in good lighting and make sure all four corners of the document are visible.

After you select the file, click "Upload." The system will show a confirmation message. Do not close the page until you see this confirmation. If you need to upload multiple documents, repeat this process for each one. The DEO typically reviews uploaded documents within 3 to 5 business days.

Certifying for weekly benefits in CONNECT

If your claim is active, you must certify for benefits each week to receive payment. Certification opens on a specific day each week (usually Sunday or Monday) and closes on a specific day (usually the following Sunday). The exact days depend on your Social Security number and are shown on your CONNECT dashboard.

To certify, log into CONNECT and click the "Certify for Benefits" button or link on your dashboard. You will be asked a series of yes-or-no questions about your employment status that week. Answer honestly: the questions ask whether you worked, earned any money, refused a job offer, or received other income. If you answer "yes" to any question, you will be asked for details.

After you answer all questions, review your responses and click "Submit Certification." You will see a confirmation message with the date you certified. If you do not certify by the important date, your benefits will not be paid that week, even if your claim is active. If you miss the important date, call the DEO as soon as possible — they may be able to reopen your certification window.

Troubleshooting common login problems

If you see a message saying "Invalid Social Security Number or Password," double-check that you entered both correctly. Social Security numbers must include dashes. Passwords are case-sensitive. If you are certain you entered them correctly, use the "Forgot Password?" link to reset your password.

If you see a message saying "Your account has been locked," this usually means you entered an incorrect password too many times. Wait 30 minutes and try again. If the account remains locked, call the DEO at 1-833-FL-UNEMP (1-833-358-6367).

If the CONNECT website is very slow or you cannot load the page at all, try a different web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. If the problem continues, the website may be down for maintenance — check back in a few hours. The DEO sometimes performs maintenance on CONNECT on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings.

If you can log in but cannot see your claim information, or if your dashboard looks incomplete, log out and log back in. If the problem persists, contact the DEO by phone. Do not try to file a new claim — this will create a duplicate claim and delay your benefits.

When to contact the DEO instead of using CONNECT

CONNECT works for checking your status, certifying for benefits, and uploading documents. However, some issues require a phone call. Contact the DEO if you cannot log in after resetting your password, if you believe your claim was denied in error, if you have not received payment after certifying, or if you need to report a change in your circumstances (such as returning to work or moving to a different state).

The DEO phone number is 1-833-FL-UNEMP (1-833-358-6367). Call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week. If you cannot reach anyone, try calling again the next day or use the DEO's online chat feature at myflorida.com/deo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log into CONNECT on my phone?

Yes. CONNECT works on smartphones and tablets. Go to connect.myflorida.com in your phone's web browser and log in the same way you would on a computer. The page will adjust to fit your screen size. Some people find it easier to use a computer for uploading documents, since the file selection process can be tricky on a phone.

What if I filed my claim by phone and never got a password?

You should have received a letter from the DEO with your claim number and instructions for creating a CONNECT account. If you did not receive this letter, call the DEO at 1-833-FL-UNEMP (1-833-358-6367) and ask them to resend it. Once you have the letter, go to connect.myflorida.com and click "New User" to create your password.

How long does it take to see my payment after I certify?

After you certify, the DEO typically processes your payment within 2 to 3 business days. You will receive payment by direct deposit (if you provided a bank account) or by debit card (if you did not). You can check the status of your payment by logging into CONNECT and looking at your claim history.

Can someone else log into my CONNECT account for me?

No. Your CONNECT account is personal and protected by your Social Security number and password. Do not share your password with anyone, including family members or friends. If someone needs to help you, have them sit with you while you log in and complete the task yourself.

What should I do if I see fraudulent activity on my claim?

Contact the DEO when ready at 1-833-FL-UNEMP (1-833-358-6367) and report the fraud. Do not change your password until you have spoken with someone at the DEO, as they may need to investigate your account. You can also file a report with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement if you believe someone has stolen your identity.