I'm currently in a really tough spot, 5 months post-op from a major spine fusion surgery and completely unemployed with zero income. My emergency funds are exhausted, and I'm feeling lost and desperate for guidance. Last year, I was laid off from a job I held for 5 years, and while I quickly found another position, it turned out to be temporary. I filed for unemployment but received nothing for the weeks I claimed, and the Florida DEO has been a nightmare to deal with. In January, I got a text saying I was approved for benefits, but the website was undergoing renovations, and I only received a total of $175 in direct deposit. When I logged back in to claim my remaining weeks, the site was glitchy—there were no buttons to submit claims or any information available. I submitted my work searches consistently, but still received $0. My recovery from surgery has been challenging; I was heavily medicated and unable to drive or access reliable internet to address these issues. My doctor cleared me for light duty work, but my previous employer has ghosted me since my surgery. I live alone and have no support, which has made it even harder as I struggle to keep a roof over my head. I've been using my credit card to pay bills and have gone hungry, which isn’t ideal for my recovery. Thankfully, I found a food bank that I can visit occasionally with help from a neighbor. I missed responding to DEO during my recovery due to my medical condition and lack of internet access. Now, I'm financially destitute and stressed, which is affecting my recovery. I’m not familiar with unemployment processes, and I have some questions: 1. Can I appeal a determination if I missed the 20-day window due to my medical situation? 2. How do I request a medical exemption for the work search requirement retroactively? 3. Is there a specific contact for hardship cases, as the phone lines are impossible to navigate? Any advice on how to restart my claim or appeal the non-payment would be greatly appreciated. I'm located in Tampa, FL.