Where to log in and what you need

Florida's unemployment system uses a single portal called CONNECT (the Comprehensive Online Notification Constituent Employment System). You log in at connect.myflorida.com, not through a separate unemployment office website. The state does not have a phone number where you can log in or reset your password—all account access happens through this online portal.

To log in, you will need your Social Security number and the password you created when you first registered. If you have not registered yet, you must create an account before you can view claim status, upload documents, or receive payment information. Registration takes about 10 minutes and requires a valid email address and phone number.

CONNECT is the only official way Florida handles unemployment claims. Scams that promise faster processing or claim you can call a number to log in are not legitimate. The state does not process claims by phone, and no third party can access your account on your behalf.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in at connect.myflorida.com using your Social Security number and password; there is no phone login option.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it by email—you will not receive a temporary password by mail or phone.
  • After logging in, you can view your claim status, upload required documents, and see payment history, but you cannot change your claim type or appeal a decision from within the account.
  • If you cannot log in after trying password reset, contact the CONNECT Help Desk at 1-833-352-7986 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET) or use the live chat feature on the CONNECT homepage.

Resetting your password if you are locked out

If you forget your password, click "Forgot Password" on the CONNECT login page. You will be asked to enter your Social Security number and email address. Florida will send a password reset link to the email on file. Check your spam folder if you do not see it within a few minutes.

The reset link expires after 24 hours. If it expires, you can request a new one by going through the "Forgot Password" process again. Do not try to log in more than five times in a row with an incorrect password—the system will temporarily lock your account for security reasons. Wait at least 30 minutes before trying again.

If you no longer have access to the email address you used to register, or if the reset link does not arrive, you will need to contact the CONNECT Help Desk. They can verify your identity and help you regain access. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license number ready when you call.

What you can and cannot do after logging in

Once you are logged into CONNECT, you can view your current claim status, see the weeks you have reported, check payment dates and amounts, upload documents (such as proof of work search or separation paperwork), and update your contact information. You can also view your benefit year and remaining balance.

You cannot change your claim type, reopen a closed claim, or file an appeal from within your account. If you need to appeal a decision, you must do so through a separate process—the appeal instructions are usually included in the letter Florida sends you. If you need to file a new claim type (such as switching from regular unemployment to Pandemic Unemployment information), you must contact the CONNECT Help Desk or visit a local CareerSource office.

The account also does not show you the reason a claim was denied or why a payment was reduced. That information comes in a separate letter from the Department of Economic Opportunity. If you receive a letter you do not understand, bring it with you when you contact the Help Desk.

Common login problems and how to fix them

The most common issue is entering your Social Security number in the wrong format. CONNECT expects it without dashes (for example, 123456789, not 123-45-6789). If you see an error message saying your credentials are invalid, try entering your SSN without dashes and make sure Caps Lock is off on your keyboard.

If you see a message that your account is locked or suspended, it usually means Florida has flagged your claim for review—often because of a missing document or a discrepancy in your work history. You cannot unlock the account yourself. Contact the CONNECT Help Desk, and they will tell you what is needed to move forward. Do not create a second account; doing so can delay your claim further.

If the CONNECT website itself is down or very slow, check the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Twitter account (@FLDEO) or the CONNECT homepage for maintenance notices. The system sometimes undergoes updates on weekday mornings. Try logging in again after a few hours.

Contacting support if you cannot log in

The CONNECT Help Desk is the official support line for login problems. Call 1-833-352-7986 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Wait times are often long, especially early in the week and early in the morning. Calling after 3 p.m. or on Friday afternoon usually means shorter hold times.

You can also use the live chat feature on the CONNECT homepage. Click the chat icon in the lower right corner of the page. Live chat is available during the same hours as the phone line. Chat is often faster than calling, but availability depends on how many people are using it at that moment.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use the Florida Relay Service: dial 711 and ask to be connected to 1-833-352-7986. If you speak a language other than English, the Help Desk can connect you to an interpreter, though wait times may be longer.

Staying find while logging in

Never share your CONNECT password with anyone, including people claiming to work for Florida or the Department of Economic Opportunity. State employees will never ask for your password. If someone contacts you asking for login credentials, it is a scam.

Log in only from connect.myflorida.com. Do not click links in emails or texts claiming to be from Florida unemployment—type the web address directly into your browser instead. Scammers often send fake emails that look official but direct you to a fake login page designed to steal your information.

If you log in from a public computer (such as at a library), always log out when you are done. Do not save your password in the browser. If you think someone else has accessed your account, change your password when ready and contact the CONNECT Help Desk.

What to do if your claim status shows no activity

If you log in and see no weeks available to report, or if your claim shows as closed, it does not always mean something is wrong. New claims sometimes take 1 to 2 weeks to process before they appear in the system. If you filed recently, check back in a few days.

If your claim has been open for more than 2 weeks and still shows no activity, or if it shows as closed when you believe it should be active, contact the CONNECT Help Desk. Bring the date you filed and any confirmation number or email you received. They can look up your claim in the backend system and tell you what stage it is in.

Do not file a second claim while waiting for the first one to process. Filing multiple claims can trigger a fraud hold and delay payment even further. If you are unsure whether your claim went through, call the Help Desk before filing again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in on my phone or tablet?

Yes. CONNECT works on mobile browsers, though the layout is smaller. You can use Safari, Chrome, or any standard browser. There is no official Florida unemployment app—any app claiming to be the official CONNECT app is not legitimate. Always log in through the website.

What if I never received a confirmation email after registering?

Check your spam and junk folders first. If it is not there, try logging in anyway using your Social Security number and the password you created—registration is often complete even if the confirmation email does not arrive. If you still cannot log in, contact the CONNECT Help Desk with your Social Security number and the email address you used to register.

Can someone else log into my account to check my status?

No. Only you can log in using your Social Security number and password. If you need someone to help you understand your claim, you can share the information with them after you log in, but they cannot access the account directly. If you are unable to log in yourself, the Help Desk can answer questions about your claim if you provide your Social Security number and date of birth for verification.

How long does a password reset link stay active?

The reset link expires after 24 hours. If you do not use it within that time, request a new one by clicking "Forgot Password" again. You can request as many reset links as you need.

What should I do if I see someone else's name or information in my account?

This is a sign of identity theft or account compromise. Do not log out. Take a screenshot of what you see, then contact the CONNECT Help Desk when ready at 1-833-352-7986. They will find your account and investigate. You may also want to file a report with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission.