I'm going through this exact same situation right now and it's so frustrating! Just got my first "waiting week" status yesterday and I had absolutely no idea this was even a thing. Like everyone else here, I'm scrambling to figure out how to cover my bills this month. The lack of clear communication from PA UC is honestly shocking - this should be explained right up front during the application process, not something we have to discover after the fact when we're already stressed about money. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful though. I'm definitely going to start that spreadsheet tracking system for work search activities and look into the emergency rental assistance programs people mentioned. It's really reassuring to know I'm not the only one caught off guard by this policy. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and practical tips - this community is way more helpful than any official PA UC resources I've found!

I'm dealing with this same waiting week situation right now and I'm honestly so relieved to find this thread! Just filed my first weekly claim and saw that "waiting week" status with no explanation of what it actually means. Reading everyone's experiences here has been incredibly eye-opening - I had no clue I wouldn't get paid for that first week. It's really frustrating that PA UC doesn't clearly communicate this upfront, especially when people are already dealing with the financial stress of being unemployed. I'm definitely going to start tracking my work search activities in a spreadsheet like someone suggested, and I'm going to look into those emergency assistance programs people mentioned. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and making this confusing process a bit less overwhelming. This community has been way more helpful than any official PA UC resources!

UPDATE: I finally got through to PA UC! Used that Claimyr service someone mentioned and was connected in about 15 mins. The rep confirmed it was an error in their system and removed the waiting week - payments should be processed in 2-3 business days. She said they've been seeing this problem a lot lately with reopened claims. Thanks everyone for your help!

Wow, this is so helpful to read! I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now - just reopened my claim after a temp job ended and they're holding a waiting week even though my benefit year doesn't expire until September. It's ridiculous that this is such a common system error but they haven't fixed it yet. Going to try calling first thing tomorrow morning at 8am like someone suggested, but good to know about the Claimyr option as backup. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences here - makes me feel less alone in dealing with this frustrating system!

Good luck with your claim! You definitely did the right thing by being completely honest about everything. I went through a similar situation last year where I had to explain a complicated employment situation to PA UC. The waiting period is nerve-wracking, but since you were legitimately laid off from your primary job due to lack of work, that's really the key factor they'll focus on. The commission job situation sounds like it falls under necessitous and compelling circumstances since you couldn't reasonably be expected to survive financially without any guaranteed income. Keep filing your weekly claims while you wait - even if there's a delay, you'll get backpay if approved. Fingers crossed you hear back soon!

I'm in a somewhat similar situation right now - got laid off last month but had already accepted a part-time retail job that barely covers my expenses. The whole multiple employer thing definitely complicates the UC application process. From what I've learned, PA really does focus on your primary job loss when determining eligibility. Since you were legitimately laid off for lack of work from your main source of income, that should work in your favor. The commission job situation sounds like it clearly falls under financial hardship since there's no guaranteed income. I think you handled it perfectly by being completely transparent. The adjudication process is slow but at least you'll know you did everything by the book. Hope you get good news soon!

Just a heads up for anyone still struggling with the CareerLink website - if you're getting error messages or the site keeps timing out, try clearing your browser cache and cookies first. I was having issues for days and this simple fix solved it immediately. Also, make sure you're not using any browser extensions that might block scripts or cookies, as CareerLink needs these to function properly. If you're still having trouble after that, the mobile version of the site (on your phone) sometimes works better than the desktop version. Hope this helps someone avoid the frustration I went through!

Another tip for anyone booking CareerLink appointments - if you're in a rural area or your local office has limited availability, you can schedule virtual appointments too! I live pretty far from my nearest office and was worried about travel time with my work schedule. Found out they offer video call appointments that count the same as in-person visits for UC requirements. Just select "Virtual Appointment" when choosing your appointment type. You'll need a computer or phone with camera/microphone, but it's super convenient. Still brings the same required documents (ID, resume, etc) but you can do it from home. The counselor was just as helpful as an in-person visit would have been!

That's such great news about your hearing! The fact that they couldn't provide any documentation when asked is huge - employers are required to prove misconduct with actual evidence, not just claims. I went through something similar last year where my employer made all sorts of accusations but had zero paperwork to back it up. The referee ruled in my favor within a week because of their lack of evidence. Sounds like you did everything right by being prepared and staying calm. Fingers crossed you get your decision soon!

Congratulations on getting through the hearing! It sounds like you were really well-prepared and that made all the difference. The fact that your employer couldn't provide any documentation when the referee asked is a huge red flag for their case - employers are supposed to have policies in writing and proof that employees were trained on them if they're going to claim policy violations. I've seen so many cases where companies try to claim misconduct after the fact but have nothing to back it up. The referee asking for specific documentation and them coming up empty-handed is exactly what you want to see. Keep checking your correspondence regularly for the decision - it usually comes as a determination letter. Really hoping this works out in your favor after all the stress you've been through!