I'm in a really similar boat! Just got laid off from my $25/hour full-time job and started part-time at a grocery store making $14/hour for 22 hours a week. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - honestly way more informative than anything I found on the PA UC website or when I tried calling. The 30% partial benefit credit calculation that everyone keeps mentioning is something I completely missed when I was trying to figure this out on my own. I was just doing straight subtraction and thinking I wouldn't qualify for much. Now I realize I might actually get a decent partial benefit amount! One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had their employer ask questions about collecting unemployment while working? My supervisor made some comment about "double dipping" and it made me worried I was doing something wrong, even though I'm obviously making way less money than before. Also wanted to say thanks to everyone sharing their actual numbers and experiences. It's so much easier to understand when you can see real examples instead of just the confusing formulas on the official site. Definitely going to start keeping detailed records like everyone suggested!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share my experience as someone who successfully navigated partial benefits in a very similar situation. I was working 25 hours/week at $15.50/hour after being laid off from a $27/hour full-time position. The key thing that helped me was understanding that PA really does focus on your total weekly earnings rather than just hours worked. With your significant hourly pay reduction ($28 to $16), you should definitely qualify for partial benefits even at 26 hours. Here's what worked for me: - I calculated my exact WBR from my original claim (around $485 in my case) - Used the 30% partial benefit credit: $485 × 0.30 = $145.50 that I could earn without reduction - My weekly gross was usually around $387 (25 × $15.50) - After subtracting the credit: $387 - $145.50 = $241.50 deducted from my WBR - Final partial benefit: $485 - $241.50 = $243.50 per week That extra $240+ weekly made a huge difference while job searching! The processing did take about 2-3 weeks initially, but once established, payments came regularly. Just stay consistent with your weekly filings and keep detailed records. Your situation looks very promising for partial benefits - don't let the confusing website discourage you from filing!

I'm so glad I found this thread! I just filed my initial PA UC claim last week and was starting to panic when I saw my first weekly certification switch to "not applicable" status. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it sounds like this is just a normal part of the process while they verify everything behind the scenes. I've been doing all the required work search activities (applied to 6 jobs this week through Indeed and company websites) and keeping detailed screenshots of everything. Also just set up the SMS alerts that several people mentioned - had no idea that was even an option! One thing I'm wondering about - for those who eventually got their claims approved, about how long after your main claim changed from "under review" to "approved" did it take for the weekly certifications to start processing? I'm trying to get a sense of the timeline so I can plan accordingly for my rent payment next month. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories and advice. This community is such a valuable resource for navigating this confusing system!

I'm so grateful I found this thread! Just went through the exact same panic attack when I saw my weekly certification change to "not applicable" yesterday. I filed my initial claim about 2 weeks ago and have been obsessively checking the portal every day (probably not healthy, I know!). Reading everyone's experiences here has been such a relief - it's crazy how the PA UC system gives you these vague status updates without any context. Now I understand this is likely just part of the normal verification process while they wait for my employer to respond or verify wages. I've been staying on top of all the requirements - filing weekly, completing 5+ work search activities each week (mostly job applications through LinkedIn and company sites), and keeping a detailed spreadsheet with screenshots of everything. Also just enabled those SMS notifications after seeing multiple people recommend it. The financial stress is real though - I'm already behind on my car payment and really counting on this money. But hearing from people like @Diego Chavez and @Fatima Al-Hashemi who eventually got all their back pay gives me hope that if I just keep doing everything right, it will work out. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories and making newcomers like me feel less alone in this confusing process!

FINAL UPDATE: Success!! The IDme trusted referee video call worked perfectly. The rep was super helpful and verified my identity using my driver's license and birth certificate. About an hour after the call, I was able to log into my UC portal again! And the best news - I was able to file for both missed weeks without any issues. The system accepted them as if nothing happened. Payment is pending for all weeks now. HUGE relief! Thanks to everyone who helped me figure this out!

This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm dealing with a similar IDme issue right now - my account got locked after too many failed verification attempts with my old number. Reading through all these solutions gives me hope. Going to try the direct IDme website approach and schedule that trusted referee call if needed. It's crazy how many people are going through this same nightmare. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially @Liam Duke for the detailed updates on what actually worked!

As someone who's been through the PA UC system multiple times, here's what you need to know about their callback system: 1. The estimated callback times are very approximate 2. They may call up to 4 hours after the scheduled time 3. If they're overloaded, some callbacks get pushed to the next day 4. They'll attempt to call twice if you miss the first one 5. The caller ID usually shows as "Unknown" or "No Caller ID" If you have an open issue that's been holding up payments for 3 weeks, I'd recommend trying to call them directly first thing tomorrow morning (7:30am sharp). That's usually when the lines are least busy.

UPDATE: They finally called at 4:32pm! Almost 4 hours after the scheduled time. The agent was actually really helpful and fixed the open issue right away. For anyone with similar problems - don't give up, and keep your phone nearby all day even if they miss the scheduled time. Thanks everyone for the advice!

I've been gathering my evidence and I'm going to call the referee office first thing tomorrow to confirm where to send everything. I really appreciate all the advice from everyone! Quick follow-up question - should I dress professionally for a phone hearing? Obviously they can't see me, but I wonder if it helps me feel more prepared?

Hey @Landon Flounder, I just went through this exact same situation about 6 weeks ago! A few things that really helped me: 1. **Double-check that referee address** - I had the same issue with a smudged notice. When I called, they confirmed the correct address and also told me I could email my documents as a PDF attachment as backup (they gave me a specific email for the referee handling my case). 2. **For your separation case** - since your employer is claiming you quit but you say the position was eliminated, definitely submit those email chains! Also include any documentation about layoffs, restructuring, or position eliminations that happened around the same time. I had a similar dispute and the emails were what won my case. 3. **Phone hearing logistics** - They called me exactly at the start time listed on my notice. Make sure your phone is fully charged and you're somewhere quiet. The whole thing took about 40 minutes for me. 4. **Don't panic about dressing up** - it's just audio, but I did find that sitting at a desk with my documents organized in front of me helped me stay focused and sound more professional. You've got this! The fact that you have email evidence puts you in a good position. Just stick to the facts and don't let them rattle you if your employer tries to spin the story.