I went through almost the exact same situation last year! Filed for 7 weeks with no payments and was getting super stressed about bills. Like others mentioned, there was definitely an open issue I didn't know about - in my case it was wage verification from a previous employer who had closed down. The key thing is to not give up calling. I know it's frustrating but once you get through to an actual person, they can usually resolve things pretty quickly. Also, make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the issue to be resolved, because you won't get back pay for weeks you didn't file. Sounds like you're on the right track now that you know what the issue is. Good luck with your determination interview!

I'm going through something similar right now - been waiting 6 weeks with no payments and just found out there's an "open issue" on my claim too. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful! It's crazy how common this seems to be. @Annabel Kimball I'm really glad you finally got through and found out what was holding up your claim. Employer contests are frustrating but at least now you know what you're dealing with. For anyone else in this situation, I'd definitely recommend checking for those open issues in your dashboard like everyone mentioned - I completely missed mine at first too. The system really doesn't make it obvious when there's a problem. Keep us updated on how your determination interview goes!

I went through almost the exact same situation last year as a per diem respiratory therapist! The confusion is totally understandable because the PA UC system really wasn't designed with healthcare per diem workers in mind. Here's what I learned after months of dealing with this: You absolutely CAN stop filing if you want to avoid the hassle, but you'll lose any partial benefits during low-hour weeks. I actually did this for a few months when my per diem position was giving me inconsistent hours (sometimes 12 hours, sometimes 28) because I got tired of the job search requirements and constant worry about overpayments. The thing that finally helped me was realizing I could be strategic about my job searches. I started applying only to positions that would complement my current job - like weekend-only positions at other hospitals, or PRN roles that specifically stated "flexible scheduling." I also counted things like updating my certifications, attending nursing education webinars, and even networking with other CNAs as work search activities. One tip that saved me: document EVERYTHING in writing. Screenshot your job applications, save emails from potential employers, keep records of every work search activity. If you ever get questioned, you'll have proof you were following the rules. The good news is once you're out of training and can potentially get more consistent hours, this whole nightmare gets much easier to manage. Hang in there!

I'm going through something very similar right now as a new per diem medical assistant! Just finished my certification and got hired at a clinic, but my hours are all over the place during this probationary period - some weeks I get 25 hours, others just 12. The whole UC filing situation has me so stressed because I feel like I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't. What's been helpful for me is treating the job search requirement as a way to build a network of backup opportunities rather than looking for jobs to replace my current one. I've been applying to other per diem positions at different medical offices that could work around my current schedule, and also looking into weekend-only opportunities at urgent care centers. This way I'm technically meeting the work search requirements while actually trying to supplement my current income rather than replace my job. One thing I learned from calling the UC office (finally got through after using that Claimyr service someone mentioned) is that they really do expect you to keep filing as long as you're not consistently full-time, even if you love your current job. The rep told me that per diem workers are considered "underemployed" rather than "unemployed" which is why we still qualify for partial benefits but have to keep looking for additional work. It's frustrating that the system doesn't account for people who are happy with flexible work arrangements, but at least now I understand the rules better. Hang in there - sounds like we're all figuring this out together!

Thanks for sharing the follow-up @Zara Ahmed! This is really helpful for anyone else going through the same transition. It sounds like having both options worked out well in the end. For future readers - it's good to know that even if you set up direct deposit, PA still sends the Money Network card automatically, so you're not stuck waiting if there are any issues with the bank transfer. The 6-day timeline for card delivery seems pretty consistent with what others have reported too.

Just went through this exact transition last month! Can confirm PA automatically sends the Money Network card when your new claim is approved - mine took exactly 7 business days to arrive. One tip that saved me: while waiting for the card, I called Money Network customer service directly (not PA UC) and they were able to give me the card number and security info over the phone once it shipped, so I could add it to my digital wallet and start using it for purchases before the physical card arrived. Might be worth trying if you're in a time crunch with bills!

I'm dealing with something very similar right now! My claim has been stuck on an "unsatisfactory performance" issue for about 4 weeks. My former employer claimed I was "chronically late" but I was never formally written up or given any warnings about attendance. It's so frustrating because I know they're probably just trying to avoid paying higher unemployment taxes. Reading through all these responses is actually really helpful - I had no idea that employers get so much time to respond while we have to jump through hoops immediately. I'm going to try calling and asking specifically for an examiner like @Ethan Brown suggested, and I'll also upload the few positive emails I have from my supervisor to show I was doing good work. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know I'm not alone in this mess!

I'm going through something very similar right now - 4 weeks stuck on an "attendance issue" even though I was never formally disciplined. What's really frustrating is that I keep hearing different timelines from different UC reps when I call. One told me employers have 10 days to respond, another said 21 days, and then someone else mentioned they can request extensions! It's like they make up the rules as they go along. I've been documenting every call I make with dates and what they tell me because the information is so inconsistent. At least from reading everyone's experiences here it seems like most people do eventually get approved when employers can't provide actual documentation. Definitely going to try asking for an examiner specifically next time I call - that seems to be the key based on what others have shared. This whole process is such a nightmare but it helps knowing we're all dealing with the same broken system.

Great news! This is actually a common issue that many people encounter - old claims creating problems with new ones. Glad you got it resolved. Make sure to print out or screenshot the determination letter when you get it for your records. PA UC sometimes has system glitches where documents disappear from your dashboard.

Wow, what a relief that you finally got through and resolved it! That's exactly why I always recommend people keep trying different approaches when the regular phone lines aren't working. The old claim issue is definitely something PA UC should flag better in their system - so many people get stuck on that without realizing it. Congrats on getting it sorted out, and hopefully your determination letter comes through quickly as promised. This whole thread will probably help other people who are dealing with similar delays!