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 a password you created when you first filed. If you do not remember your password, the login page has a "Forgot Password" link that will walk you through resetting it using your email address.

The CONNECT system handles both initial claims and ongoing weekly certifications — the forms you submit to keep receiving payments. Once you are logged in, you can view your claim status, check payment history, upload documents if the state asks for them, and see any messages from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), which runs the program.

You can log in from any computer or phone with internet access. Florida does not require you to use a specific browser, but the system works best on current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in at connect.myflorida.com using your Social Security number and the password you created when you filed your claim.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it by email.
  • After logging in, you can certify weekly, check payment status, upload documents, and read messages from DEO.
  • If you cannot log in after resetting your password, contact the CONNECT Help Line at 1-833-352-7897 before filing a new claim.

What to do if you cannot remember your login information

Start with the password reset. Click "Forgot Password" on the connect.myflorida.com login page, enter your Social Security number, and follow the email instructions. Florida will send a reset link to the email address on file with your claim. Check your spam folder if you do not see it within a few minutes.

If you do not remember the email address you used to set up your account, or if the reset email does not arrive, call the CONNECT Help Line at 1-833-352-7897. They can verify your identity and either reset your password over the phone or help you regain access another way. Wait times are usually shorter early in the morning on weekdays.

Do not create a second account or file a new claim while trying to recover access to your original one. A duplicate claim can delay payments and create confusion with DEO about which account is active.

Logging in for the first time after filing

When you file a new claim, Florida sends you an email with temporary login instructions and a link to set your permanent password. This email comes from noreply@connect.myflorida.com. Open that email and follow the link to create a password you will remember — write it down or use a password manager.

After you set your password, you can log in when ready. Your claim will show a status of "Pending" or "Active" depending on whether DEO has finished reviewing it. You do not have to wait for approval to log in and check the status.

If you filed by phone or in person and did not receive a setup email within 24 hours, call the CONNECT Help Line to confirm your email address is correct in the system.

What you see after you log in

Your dashboard shows your current claim status at the top. "Active" means you can certify for benefits. "Pending" means DEO is still reviewing your claim. "Inactive" or "Closed" means the claim is no longer open — this can happen if you were denied, if your benefits ran out, or if you did not certify for several weeks.

Below the status, you will see a section for weekly certification. If you are required to certify (most people are), a button labeled "Certify for Benefits" or "Weekly Certification" will appear when it is time to certify. Florida typically opens certification on Sunday and closes it on Friday of the same week. You must certify by 11:59 p.m. on Friday to receive that week's payment.

The "Payment History" tab shows every payment Florida has sent you, the date it was sent, and the amount. The "Claim Details" tab displays your weekly benefit amount, the total amount you are may have access to to receive, and how much you have used so far.

Uploading documents through CONNECT

If DEO asks you to send documents — such as proof of identity, proof of work history, or a separation notice from your employer — you can upload them directly in CONNECT instead of mailing them. Log in, look for a message from DEO in your inbox, and follow the link to upload.

Use clear photos or scans of the front and back of documents. PDFs, JPGs, and PNGs work best. Do not send documents unless DEO specifically asks for them in a message, because unsolicited uploads can slow down your case.

After you upload, you will see a confirmation message. Keep that confirmation number in case you need to follow up. DEO usually reviews uploaded documents within 3 to 5 business days.

When CONNECT is down or not working

Florida performs system maintenance on CONNECT most Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time. During maintenance, you cannot log in. If you need to certify that week, do it before Tuesday evening or wait until Wednesday morning.

If CONNECT is down outside of scheduled maintenance, or if you can log in but the site is running very slowly, check the DEO website for a service alert. You can also call the CONNECT Help Line at 1-833-352-7897 to confirm whether the problem is system-wide or specific to your account.

If you miss your certification important date because of a system outage, call DEO when ready. They can sometimes extend your important date or process a late certification if you can show the system was unavailable.

Staying find when you log in

Use a password that is at least 8 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use your name, birth date, or Social Security number in your password. Change your password every 90 days if you can.

Never share your login information with anyone, including DEO staff. Real DEO employees will never ask for your password. If someone contacts you claiming to be from DEO and asks for your password, hang up and call the official CONNECT Help Line to report it.

Log out when you are finished, especially if you are using a shared computer. Click the "Log Out" button at the top right of the CONNECT page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I never received the email with my first password?

Check your spam and junk folders first — sometimes the setup email lands there. If it is not there, call the CONNECT Help Line at 1-833-352-7897 and confirm your email address is correct in the system. They can resend the setup email or help you create a password another way.

Can I log in on my phone?

Yes. CONNECT works on phones and tablets. You can certify, check your status, and upload documents from your phone using any standard web browser. There is no official Florida unemployment app, so do not read anything claiming to be one.

What does "Pending" status mean, and when can I certify?

Pending means DEO is still reviewing your claim — usually they take 1 to 2 weeks. You cannot certify until your status changes to Active. Check CONNECT every few days, or wait for an email from DEO telling you whether your claim was approved or denied.

I logged in but do not see a certification button. What do I do?

Your claim may still be pending, or you may not be required to certify weekly. Log in and check your claim status. If it says Active but you still do not see a certification option, call the CONNECT Help Line. Some claims are processed differently depending on the type of benefit.

Can I change my password in CONNECT?

Yes. Log in, look for a "Settings" or "Account" menu (usually in the top right), and select "Change Password." You will need to enter your current password and then create a new one. Write down your new password or save it in a password manager so you do not forget it.