Out-of-state remote worker for FL company - DEO claim confusion and delays

This is a common issue with remote workers crossing state lines. Generally, you should file in the state where you physically performed the work (Pennsylvania in your case), even if your employer paid taxes to Florida. However, since your employer paid UI taxes to Florida, the states need to coordinate. This is called a 'combined wage claim' or sometimes an 'interstate claim'. PA should be processing your claim but they'll need to get wage information from Florida DEO. This takes longer than regular claims because the states have to communicate with each other. Have you received any communication from PA about a 'wage investigation' or 'interstate claim'?

I went through this exact situation last year (but reversed - FL resident working for PA company). The key is making sure both states are communicating. You need to call PA unemployment and specifically ask them to check the status of your 'combined wage claim' or 'interstate claim' with Florida. Ask them if they've received the wage information from Florida yet. If not, they should be able to tell you when they requested it. In my case, the wage information got lost between states and I had to make about 20 calls before finding someone who actually followed up. Don't take 'we're still processing' as an answer - ask specifically about the Florida wage verification.

The system is COMPLETELY BROKEN for remote workers!! I waited 3 MONTHS for my interstate claim between Florida and Georgia last year. Georgia blamed Florida, Florida blamed Georgia, and meanwhile I couldn't pay my rent!!! The states DON'T COMMUNICATE properly and your claim will just sit there forever unless you hound them daily. They lost my wage information TWICE and I had to have my former employer send it directly. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING and call BOTH STATES even if they tell you not to!!!

ur supposed to file where u physically worked (PA) but since ur company paid FL taxes its gonna be complicated. my buddy had similar issue took like 8 weeks to sort out. just keep calling

I had a similar situation trying to reach both FL DEO and another state's unemployment office. After weeks of failed attempts, I tried Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they actually got me connected to a DEO agent within 45 minutes when I couldn't get through for weeks on my own. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/UzW_hbUy-ss?si=zORd51jeq1GX5Ldj In interstate claims, you need to talk to actual agents who can check the status of wage transfers between states. The automated systems and online portals don't handle these special cases well. Once I got through to a real person, they were able to check what was happening with my wage information and actually push things forward.

To answer your question about timeframes - interstate claims typically take 4-8 weeks to process, sometimes longer if there are complications. It's not ideal, but it is normal for these cases to take longer than standard claims. You mentioned you're facing financial hardship while waiting. Make sure to look into emergency assistance programs in your area. Many counties have emergency rental assistance, utility payment help, and food banks that can help bridge the gap while you're waiting for unemployment benefits. When your claim is eventually processed, you should receive all backpay from your initial filing date.

im dealing w/ this right now too! so frustrating!! PA keeps telling me to wait but its been 6 weeks already. i finally got through to someone yesterday who said my FL wage info never came through and they had to request it again. now im back to waiting again 😭

One more important tip: call Florida DEO directly and ask if they've received a wage request from Pennsylvania for your claim. If they say yes, ask when they responded. If they say no, you'll know Pennsylvania hasn't properly initiated the request. Also, check if your former Florida employer has received any verification requests about your employment. Sometimes employers delay responding to these requests, which holds up the entire process. You might want to contact your former employer's HR department to make sure they've responded to any unemployment verification requests.

Yes, you should receive backpay from your initial filing date if your claim is approved. Just make sure you're completing all your weekly certifications while you wait, even though you're not receiving payments yet. Missing those weekly claims can complicate your backpay situation. Regarding approval rates for interstate claims - they're not necessarily denied more often, but they do face more administrative hurdles. The key factors are still the same: did you lose your job through no fault of your own, do you have sufficient work history/earnings, and are you able and available for work. The interstate aspect mainly affects processing time, not eligibility criteria.

Just wanted to say hang in there! My interstate claim between Florida and another state took 7 weeks to process last year, but I did eventually get all my backpay. The waiting is horrible but keep pushing and documenting everything.

One more thing - check if PA has an unemployment office you can visit IN PERSON. I finally resolved my interstate claim when I went in person and refused to leave until someone helped me. Phone calls and online messages get ignored but when you're sitting in their office they sometimes magically find solutions!!