I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Just got my eligibility approved yesterday but then saw the "wages under review" status this morning. This thread has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea this was such a standard part of the process and was starting to panic that something went wrong. It's really encouraging to see the consistent 3-7 business day timeline that most people experienced for this final verification step. I've been keeping up with my weekly certifications and work search requirements while waiting. The uncertainty is definitely nerve-wracking when you're counting on those payments for bills, but reading everyone's real experiences here gives me so much confidence that this is just the normal final step before they release funds. Thanks to everyone who shared their actual timelines - it makes such a difference to know what's expected versus what might be a problem!

I'm currently dealing with this same situation! Just got my eligibility approved on Tuesday but then saw the "wages under review" message pop up yesterday. This thread has been absolutely invaluable - I was starting to freak out thinking they found some new issue with my claim. It's so reassuring to see that this is actually a standard final verification step and that most people experienced that 3-7 business day timeline. I've been diligently filing my weekly certifications and keeping meticulous records of my work search activities while I wait. The financial stress is real when you're depending on these payments, but reading all these actual success stories from people who went through the exact same process gives me so much hope. Special thanks to @Carmella Fromis for providing that update about getting funds released in 5 days - knowing it actually worked out helps calm the anxiety! This community is such a lifesaver for navigating the PA UC system.

I've been reading through all these tips and they're incredibly helpful! I had no idea there were so many different strategies for getting through to PA UC. As someone who just started dealing with this system for the first time, it's honestly overwhelming that it requires this much effort just to speak with someone about basic questions. I'm going to try a combination of these approaches - the 7:59am timing, the Spanish line transfer method, and that lunch break timing strategy. It's ridiculous that we need to become phone system experts just to access our benefits, but I'm grateful this community exists to share what actually works. Will definitely report back if I discover any new tricks that help! Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their experiences.

I've been dealing with PA unemployment on and off for the past few years and wanted to share a method that's been consistently working for me in 2025. Instead of calling first thing in the morning when everyone else is trying, I've had much better success calling around 11:30am on Tuesdays or Thursdays. It seems like there's a lull after the morning rush but before lunch. I also discovered that if you call and get put on hold, don't use speakerphone or headphones - keep the phone directly to your ear. I think their system might detect audio quality changes and could drop calls that seem "inactive." Got through 4 out of 5 times using this approach over the past month. The wait is still long (usually 25-40 minutes) but at least you actually get to talk to someone! Also, have all your documents ready before calling - claim number, SSN, recent pay stubs, etc. The agents move pretty quickly once you're connected.

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because I'm currently dealing with a very similar situation. I was terminated from my retail job last month for what they called "poor customer service" but really it was just me struggling to handle difficult customers without proper training or management support. I initially won my UC benefits, but now my employer is appealing and I have a referee hearing coming up in two weeks. Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly has given me so much hope when I was starting to panic. I had absolutely no idea about the UCBR appeal option or the fault overpayment waiver - these seem like crucial protections that most people never hear about until it's too late. Diego, your situation with the complete lack of documentation from your employer sounds really promising for your UCBR appeal based on all the success stories people have shared here. The advice everyone's given about documenting everything, requesting employer policies, and focusing on the legal distinction between performance issues versus actual "willful misconduct" is incredibly valuable. I'm going to make sure I have all of that prepared regardless of how my referee hearing goes. It's so reassuring to read multiple success stories from people who won at the UCBR level after losing their initial appeals. This community has honestly been more helpful than any official PA UC resource I've tried to find. The fact that you all share real experiences and practical advice makes such a huge difference when you're feeling lost in this complicated system. Sending positive thoughts to everyone fighting these battles - we've got to stick together!

I'm new to this community but going through almost exactly what you described, Diego. I was terminated from my accounting job in December for "failure to follow procedures" but it was really just me struggling with their outdated software system that I never received proper training on. I initially won my UC benefits but got the dreaded reversal letter last week after my employer appealed to a referee hearing. Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly helpful and honestly saved me from a complete meltdown. I had no idea there was a UCBR appeal option or that there were success stories like Tony's and Sean's where people actually won after losing at the referee level. The distinction everyone's making between performance struggles and actual "willful misconduct" is so crucial - I was beating myself up thinking that just being bad at my job was enough to justify losing everything. Your situation with the complete lack of documentation from your employer sounds really promising for the UCBR appeal. Based on all the advice in this thread, I'm documenting everything I can remember about the inadequate training I received and requesting copies of their internal policies. If they have procedures they never properly taught me, that should help prove this wasn't deliberate misconduct. The fact that no collection happens during the appeal process is such a relief too. I was worried they'd start garnishing my wages immediately. This community has been more helpful than any official resource I've found. Wishing you the best with your UCBR appeal - keep us updated on how it goes!

I just want to add that if you're still unsure about whether your card is legitimate, you can also log into your PA UC dashboard online and check the "Payment Method" section. It should show Banking Direct as your current payment method if the card is real and properly activated. This is actually faster than calling and waiting on hold for hours. Also, make sure to check your email for any official notifications from PA UC about the card switch - they did send some emails but a lot went to spam folders unfortunately.

Just wanted to share my experience since I went through this same confusion a few weeks ago! I received the Banking Direct card and was super skeptical because the envelope looked different than what I was used to with Money Network. What helped me feel confident was actually going to a PA CareerLink office in person - the staff there confirmed it was legitimate and helped me activate it on the spot. If you have a CareerLink office nearby, that might be worth considering if you're still nervous about activating over the phone or online. They can also help you set up direct deposit right away if you prefer that option. The whole process took maybe 20 minutes and gave me peace of mind knowing I wasn't falling for some scam.

Great question about business licenses! In Pennsylvania, you generally don't need a business license just for occasional freelance work. The requirement usually kicks in when you're operating as a formal business entity or if your specific type of work requires professional licensing (like certain trades or professions). For graphic design freelancing, you'd typically only need to worry about licensing if you: 1. Register as an LLC or corporation 2. Have a physical business location (home office doesn't count) 3. Hire employees 4. Reach a certain revenue threshold (varies by municipality) Most freelancers doing occasional projects can operate under their SSN without needing formal business registration. However, some cities/counties have local business privilege taxes that might apply even to small freelancers, so it's worth checking with your local tax office. The bigger concern for UC purposes is just making sure you're not crossing into "self-employed as primary occupation" territory. Sounds like you're being smart about keeping it limited while job searching. When in doubt, you can always call the PA Department of State's business services line - they're pretty helpful with questions about when registration becomes necessary.

One more thing I'd add - if you do start freelancing while on UC, consider opening a separate checking account just for your freelance income and expenses. It makes tracking so much easier when everything is separated from your personal finances. I learned this tip from my accountant and it saved me hours during tax season. Also, don't forget that you can deduct business expenses from your freelance income on your taxes - things like software subscriptions, equipment, even a portion of your internet bill if you work from home. Keep receipts for everything! Even though you're keeping the work minimal while job searching, those deductions can still add up and reduce your tax burden on the 1099 income. The fact that you're being so proactive about understanding the rules and staying compliant is really smart. A lot of people just wing it and end up in trouble later. Good luck with both the freelancing and your job search!