Where do I go to file for Florida unemployment?

Quick answer: Where to file – Florida DEO office and the CONNECT portal

According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the official way to file Reemployment Assistance claims in 2026 is the CONNECT claimant portal, so start there if you can CONNECT claimant portal.

If you cannot use the portal, the DEO publishes a customer service phone line and additional contact resources to help you file by phone or get identity verification support Florida DEO contact page.

Local workforce centers can offer in-person help for claim filing and job search assistance; you can check local CareerSource Florida locations for an office near you when you need hands-on support.

What is the Florida DEO office and how the CONNECT portal works

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity administers Reemployment Assistance and directs claimants to use the CONNECT claimant portal to start new claims or return to existing ones, which centralizes account creation and claim submissions Reemployment Assistance information at Florida DEO.

The CONNECT portal is a secure online system where you create or sign into a claimant account, enter your personal information and employer history, and track the status of your claim; the portal is the primary entry point DEO lists for filing Reemployment Assistance CONNECT claimant portal.

For federal context on unemployment insurance rules and claimants rights, the U.S. Department of Labor provides overview materials that complement the state guidance and can help explain general procedures used across states U.S. Department of Labor overview.

What you need before you file with the Florida DEO office

Gather the essentials before you begin: your Social Security number, a driver license or state ID, current contact information, the names and addresses of recent employers, dates of employment, and recent earnings information as listed in DEO claimant guidance Florida DEO Reemployment Assistance information.

The DEO Claimant Handbook describes identity verification steps that may require additional documents, so be prepared to follow those instructions if DEO asks for proof of identity or employment when you file Claimant Handbook.

Common items that slow claims include missing employer wage details and incomplete contact information; assembling pay stubs or employer contact points in advance can reduce delays when you enter employer wage and date fields.

Step-by-step: How to file online through the CONNECT portal

First, go to the CONNECT claimant portal and choose to create a new claimant account or access an existing account; the portal will ask for your personal details and verify your identity before you begin a new claim CONNECT claimant portal.

Note: You can also access the DEO mobile portal for some users mobile CONNECT portal.

Second, follow the portal prompts to enter employer names, dates of employment, and recent earnings; the form sections let you save or return to a partially completed claim if you need time to gather pay records.

Third, complete required fields carefully and review entries for accuracy; DEO guidance emphasizes correct employer and wage information to avoid processing delays or later requests for clarification Florida DEO guidance.

Fourth, after submitting the initial claim, note any instructions about registering for work search services if required by DEO, and keep your CONNECT account credentials so you can return to the portal for weekly certifications and status updates.

If you need help with a technical issue on the portal, use the DEO contact resources to request assistance or to schedule a visit at a local workforce center for hands-on support. You can also reach out via the campaign contact page.

If you cannot use the Florida DEO office CONNECT portal: phone and in-person options

If you are unable to file online, call the DEO customer service number 1-833-FL-APPLY for phone support and guidance on alternate filing methods and identity verification processes DEO call center information.

CareerSource Florida and local workforce centers provide in-person assistance for claim filing and job search support; find a nearby center through CareerSource Florida when you prefer face-to-face help CareerSource Florida locations.

DEO staff at local career centers can help with technical portal problems, explain identity verification steps, and assist you in submitting corrected employer or wage information if an online entry needs adjustment.

What happens after you file with the Florida DEO office

After you submit a claim, DEO reviews it through claim adjudication to determine eligibility and issues; the timing and benefit amounts are set by DEO rules and depend on your base-period wages Claimant Handbook.

Payment options typically include direct deposit or a state-issued debit card as DEO describes, and DEO also describes the administrative appeals process if you disagree with a determination Claimant Handbook.

If DEO requests additional documentation during adjudication, respond promptly; missing or late information can extend the review timeline and delay payments.

Common mistakes and troubleshooting when filing with the Florida DEO office

Frequent causes of delay or denials include incorrect employer names, inaccurate wage entries, and missing identity verification documents; check entries carefully before you submit your claim Florida DEO guidance.

If you discover an error after you submit, follow DEO instructions for updating or correcting information and contact the DEO call center or visit a local workforce office for hands-on help to resolve the issue DEO contact page.

Keep records of submitted information, correspondence, and confirmation numbers; documentation helps if you need to appeal a decision or prove when you filed and what you reported.

Practical examples and scenarios: common filing situations

If you were laid off from a single employer, enter that employer’s name, your most recent dates of employment, and the wages you earned during the base period so DEO can calculate benefit amounts per its rules and procedures Claimant Handbook.

If you had multiple employers in the base-period, include each employer separately with dates and wages; DEO uses the combined wage information to determine your base-period wages and potential benefit amount Florida DEO Reemployment Assistance.

For complex situations such as partial unemployment or seasonal work, check both DEO materials and federal DOL overview resources for general context about how states typically treat such cases U.S. Department of Labor overview.

Summary and next steps: where to get official help from the Florida DEO office

Immediate checklist: gather Social Security and ID, assemble employer names and wage records, go to the CONNECT claimant portal to start your claim, and call 1-833-FL-APPLY if you cannot use the portal CONNECT claimant portal.

Verify any changes to benefit rules or program updates on the DEO CONNECT portal and consult federal DOL pages for broader unemployment insurance guidance and claimant rights U.S. Department of Labor overview. Visit michaelcarbonara.com for more about the author.

For in-person help, use CareerSource Florida locations or local DEO career centers to get assistance completing a claim or handling identity verification and technical issues. See upcoming events.