This whole thread has been such a learning experience! I just joined this community after getting completely overwhelmed trying to figure out PA UC's system on my own. Emma's story is exactly what I needed to read - I've been stressing about similar dashboard inconsistencies for days now. It's incredible how many people have dealt with this same issue where different parts of the system show conflicting information. The collective wisdom here about trusting the "expect payment" message over dashboard flags is invaluable. Really appreciate how supportive everyone is and how people like Emma actually come back to share their outcomes. Makes navigating this confusing system feel way less isolating!

This thread has been incredibly eye-opening for me as someone who just started dealing with PA UC after losing my job last week. Emma's journey from panic to relief perfectly captures what I've been going through - their dashboard really is confusing when different sections show conflicting information! The key insight about trusting the "expect payment" message during weekly certification over other dashboard elements is something I'll definitely remember. It's amazing how this community comes together to share real experiences and practical advice. Thanks to everyone who contributed their knowledge here, and especially to Emma for following up with the positive outcome - it gives the rest of us hope when we're dealing with similar stressful situations!

UPDATE: Thanks everyone for your help! I finally used Claimyr this morning and got through to an agent in about 30 minutes. Turns out there WAS an issue with my claim that wasn't showing on my dashboard. They had sent a request to my former employer for separation information, but it was sent to an outdated address. The agent verified my information over the phone and manually updated the status. She said I should receive all my back payments within 5-7 business days, and my Money Network card should arrive shortly after that. Such a relief to finally know what was happening! I'll update again when the money actually arrives.

Congratulations on getting this resolved! This is such a perfect example of why people shouldn't give up even when the system seems broken. Your story will definitely help others in similar situations - the fact that employer separation info was sent to the wrong address and wasn't visible in your portal shows how many hidden issues can cause delays. Really glad you found this community and got the help you needed. Looking forward to hearing when your payments actually hit your account!

One more tip from someone who's been through this multiple times with PA UC - when you do reopen your claim after the contract ends, the system might ask you to complete a "work separation" questionnaire about why your employment ended. For contract work, they sometimes make this confusing by asking things like "were you laid off?" or "did you quit?" The correct answer for ended contracts is usually "laid off" with the reason being "lack of work" or "end of temporary assignment." Don't overthink it - just be clear that it was always meant to be temporary work and the agreed-upon timeframe ended. Also, if your contract gets extended (which happens sometimes), you can always stop filing weekly certifications again and then restart when it actually ends. The flexibility is one of the good things about PA's system once you understand how it works!

This thread is incredibly helpful! I'm actually in a very similar situation - just got my PA UC approval last week after months of waiting, but I'm starting a 4-month contract position on Monday. Reading through everyone's experiences has really put my mind at ease about being able to reopen my claim when the contract ends. I'm definitely going to bookmark this post and follow all the advice about keeping detailed records, using "lack of work" as the separation reason, and filing immediately on my last day. One question though - has anyone dealt with a situation where your contract employer offers to convert you to permanent but you're not sure if you want to stay? I'm wondering if turning down a permanent offer would affect my ability to collect UC benefits later if I end up needing them.

I'm dealing with this same situation right now - filed my claim about 2.5 weeks ago after being furloughed from my manufacturing job, got the Money Network card 4 days ago but it's completely empty. My dashboard also says "under review" with no updates. It's really stressful not knowing if there's an issue or if this is just how long it takes. Based on what everyone's sharing here, it sounds like getting the card early is standard procedure and doesn't indicate approval status at all. I've been doing my weekly certifications religiously, but I'm definitely going to try calling at 8 AM sharp tomorrow to see if there are any hidden issues on my claim. Thanks for posting this question - it's reassuring to know so many others are going through the exact same thing!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my claim about 10 days ago after my restaurant closed down unexpectedly, and just got my Money Network card yesterday - completely empty of course. My dashboard still shows "under review" and I was so confused about whether getting the card meant I was approved or not. Reading through all these comments is honestly such a relief because I thought maybe I did something wrong with my application. It sounds like PA UC just sends these cards out automatically as soon as you file, which is honestly pretty misleading if you ask me. I've been doing my weekly certifications but was worried I was wasting my time if I wasn't even approved yet. Now I know to keep doing them and just wait it out. Definitely going to try calling at 8 AM tomorrow to see if there are any issues I don't know about. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps to know this is normal!

Update for anyone who finds this thread later: Finally got my hearing notice today - took exactly 4 weeks and 2 days from when I filed my appeal. The hearing is scheduled for phone, but I'm going to request in-person since I have a lot of documentation to present. Thanks everyone for the advice! I'll post again after the hearing to let you know how it went.

Wow, congrats on getting your hearing date Fatima! That timeline matches what I experienced - about 4 weeks. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have a quiet, private space for your phone hearing if you decide to stick with that option. I made the mistake of taking mine in a coffee shop and the background noise was really distracting. Also, speak slowly and clearly - the referee needs to take notes on everything you say. If you do go in-person, arrive at least 15 minutes early to get familiar with the room setup. Rooting for you!