The Florida Online System and What You'll Need Before You Start

Florida's unemployment system is called CONNECT, and you file through the state's website at connect.myflorida.com. The entire process happens online — there is no phone line to call or office to visit to submit your initial claim. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or ID number, and information about your most recent employer or employers from the past 18 months.

Before you open the site, gather your employment history. Have the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the companies you worked for ready. You will also need to know the dates you worked there and the reason your employment ended. If you were laid off, furloughed, or had your hours cut, have those details clear. The system will ask you to describe what happened in your own words, and the clearer you are, the faster your claim moves through review.

You will also need a valid email address and a phone number where you can be reached. Florida will contact you at both if there are questions about your claim. Set up your account before you file — you cannot file without one.

Key Takeaways

  • You file through CONNECT at connect.myflorida.com, and the entire process is online with no office visit required.
  • Have your Social Security number, ID number, and employment history from the past 18 months ready before you start.
  • The system asks you to describe why your employment ended, so be specific about whether you were laid off, had hours cut, or left for another reason.
  • After you file, you must certify your weekly claim every week to keep receiving payments, and you can do this online through CONNECT.
  • If Florida requests documents or information after you file, they will contact you by email or phone with instructions on how to respond.

Creating Your CONNECT Account

Go to connect.myflorida.com and click "Create Account" at the top of the page. You will be asked for your email address, a password, and your Social Security number. Florida uses this information to verify your identity. Write down your email and password somewhere safe — you will use them every week to certify your claim once it is approved.

After you create the account, Florida will send you a confirmation email. Open it and click the link to set up your account. This step is required before you can file. If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder — confirmation emails sometimes end up there.

Once your account is active, log back in and you will see a dashboard. Look for the button that says "File a New Claim" or "New Claim". Click it to begin the filing process.

Walking Through the Claim Form Step by Step

The form has several sections. The first asks for personal information: your name, date of birth, address, and phone number. Make sure everything matches your ID exactly. If your address has changed recently, use your current address.

The next section asks about your employment history. The system will ask you to list every job you held in the past 18 months. For each job, enter the company name, the address where you worked, your job title, the dates you started and ended, and your weekly pay or salary. If you are not sure of exact dates, give your best estimate — you can correct it later if Florida asks.

Then comes the most important part: why did your employment end? The system gives you options like "laid off," "quit," "hours reduced," or "other." Choose the one that matches your situation. Below that, you will see a text box asking you to explain in your own words. Write a short, clear explanation. For example: "Company closed the location due to COVID-19" or "My position was eliminated as part of a reduction in force." Do not leave this blank — Florida uses this to decide whether you are may have access to to benefits.

The form also asks whether you have been fired, whether you quit, and whether you are looking for work. Answer honestly. At the end, you will review everything before you submit. Read through it once to catch any typos or mistakes, then click "Submit Claim."

What Happens After You Submit Your Claim

After you submit, you will see a confirmation page with a claim number. Write this down or take a screenshot. This is your reference number if you need to contact Florida about your claim.

Florida will review your claim, which usually takes one to two weeks. During this time, they may contact you by phone or email if they need more information. Answer quickly — delays in responding can slow down your claim. You can also log into CONNECT at any time to check the status of your claim. Look for "View Claim Status" on your dashboard.

If your claim is approved, you will receive a notice by mail and email. The notice will tell you your weekly benefit amount and when your first payment will arrive. Most payments go to a debit card that Florida mails to you, though you can change this to direct deposit if you prefer.

Certifying Your Weekly Claim to Keep Payments Coming

Once your claim is approved, you must certify every week that you are still unemployed and looking for work. This is not optional — if you do not certify, your payments will stop. You certify through CONNECT on your dashboard. Look for "Certify" or "Weekly Certification" and click it.

The certification asks whether you worked that week, whether you earned any money, and whether you looked for work. Answer truthfully. If you worked even one day or earned any money, you must report it — Florida will reduce your payment by a portion of what you earned. If you did not work, certify that you did not work.

You can certify starting on Sunday of the week you are certifying for, and you must do it by the following Saturday. Most people certify on Sunday or Monday to get it done early. Once you certify, your payment is processed and usually arrives within a few business days.

If Florida Asks for Documents or More Information

Sometimes Florida needs proof of something you reported. They might ask for a separation notice from your employer, a pay stub, or a letter explaining why you left your job. If this happens, you will see a message in CONNECT or receive an email with instructions on what to send and where to send it.

You can upload documents directly through CONNECT in most cases. Log in, look for "Upload Documents" or "Respond to Request," and follow the steps. If you cannot upload, the notice will give you a fax number or mailing address. Send documents as quickly as you can — Florida usually gives you 10 to 14 days to respond.

If you are unsure what Florida is asking for, call the Department of Economic Opportunity at 1-833-352-7252. This is the state office that handles unemployment claims. Have your claim number ready when you call.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you forget your CONNECT password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page. Florida will send you a reset link to your email. If you do not receive it, check your spam folder or wait a few minutes and try again.

If you cannot log in even after resetting your password, or if you see an error message when you try to file, try a different web browser. Sometimes CONNECT works better in Chrome or Firefox than in Safari or Edge. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again.

If you filed your claim but do not see it in CONNECT after a few hours, refresh the page or log out and log back in. Sometimes the system takes a moment to update. If it still does not appear after 24 hours, call the Department of Economic Opportunity to confirm they received it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I was fired?

You can file, but whether you receive benefits depends on why you were fired. If you were fired for misconduct — breaking a rule, being late repeatedly, or not following instructions — you may be denied. If you were fired for a reason outside your control, like the company closing or your position being eliminated, you may be approved. File anyway and let Florida decide.

What if I am still working part-time or gig work?

Report all income when you certify each week. Florida will reduce your weekly benefit by a portion of what you earned, but you may still receive a partial payment. Do not hide income — Florida cross-checks with employers and will catch unreported earnings, which can result in overpayment that you must repay.

How long does it take to get my first payment?

If your claim is approved, your first payment usually arrives within one to two weeks after approval. Payments go to a debit card unless you set up direct deposit. Check your CONNECT dashboard for the status of your claim — it will tell you when to expect your first payment.

What if I move or change my phone number?

Log into CONNECT and update your address and phone number in your account settings. Do this as soon as possible so Florida can reach you if they need to. If you miss a call or email from Florida, your claim can be delayed or denied.

Can I file a claim if I quit my job?

You can file, but you may not receive benefits. Florida only pays unemployment if you lost your job through no fault of your own. If you quit, you must have a good reason — like unsafe working conditions, unpaid wages, or a significant cut in hours. Explain your reason clearly in the form and let Florida decide.