I went through this exact same panic attack when I saw "disqualified" pop up after reporting my new job! It's honestly criminal how confusing PA UC makes this - that word choice is terrible. But everyone here is 100% right - it ONLY applies to the week you earned too much money, not your entire claim history. I was waiting 9 weeks for an examiner when I found work, and I got every single week of back pay about 2 weeks after they finally reviewed my case. The key things that helped me: 1. Keep filing weekly even though you're working (this is CRITICAL) 2. Don't panic about the "disqualified" status - it's just poor wording 3. Your previous weeks are completely separate from current weeks 4. The examiner review will happen eventually (I know, easier said than done) You found work after 2 months which is amazing! That stress you're feeling about the back pay is so real but try not to worry - based on everyone's experiences here, you should get those 8 weeks once the examiner gets to your case. The bills suck to be behind on but that money is still coming your way!

I'm going through this EXACT same thing right now! Just reported my first week of work yesterday and saw that dreaded "disqualified" status this morning - my heart literally dropped thinking I'd lost everything. I've been waiting 6 weeks for an examiner and really need those back payments. Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a huge relief! It sounds like "disqualified" is just PA UC's terrible way of saying "you made too much this week" rather than "you're kicked out forever." I was about to stop filing my weekly claims but now I know that would be a huge mistake. Thank you all for sharing your stories - it's so reassuring to know others have gotten their full back pay even after starting work. The waiting game continues but at least now I'm not panicking that finding a job somehow ruined my eligibility for those previous weeks!

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago! The benefit year transition is definitely confusing but everyone here gave you solid advice. One thing I'd add - when you're filling out that new initial claim, be super careful about the dates for your temporary job. Make sure you report the exact start and end dates because any mistakes there can delay your approval. Also, if your new weekly benefit amount ends up being lower than before (which happened to me), you can sometimes appeal that determination if you think they calculated it wrong. The appeals process isn't fun but it's worth it if there's a significant difference. Hang in there - the whole system is frustrating but you'll get through it!

Hey Amina! I just went through this same exact thing about 3 months ago when my benefit year ended. It's definitely confusing but you're on the right track now that you filed the new initial claim. A few things that might help while you're waiting: 1. Keep a spreadsheet or notes of when you filed your new claim and any confirmation numbers - it makes it easier if you need to call later 2. Continue filing those weekly certifications like you did - even if the system seems glitchy, keep doing it every week 3. Start documenting your job search activities NOW even while waiting for approval (companies applied to, dates, positions, etc.) because they'll want that info once you're approved The 2-3 week timeline is usually pretty accurate for new claims. In my case, I got approved in exactly 16 days and they released all the weekly payments I had filed while waiting. The hardest part is just the waiting and uncertainty, but it sounds like you did everything right! Keep us posted on how it goes.

Just wanted to add that you should save screenshots or records of your weekly claim filings when you report your partial work. I had a similar situation last year where PA UC questioned some of my partial benefit weeks months later, and having documentation of exactly what I reported each week saved me a lot of headache. Also, if your employer changes your schedule again (more or fewer days), just adjust what you report accordingly - the system handles these fluctuations pretty well as long as you're honest about your earnings each week.

One thing I'd add - when you file this Sunday, make absolutely sure you're entering your GROSS wages (before any taxes or deductions), not your net pay. I made that mistake my first time filing with partial work and it created a whole mess with overpayments that took months to sort out. Also, if your employer pays you weekly vs. bi-weekly, only report the earnings for the specific week you're claiming, not your entire pay period if it spans multiple claim weeks. The timing can get tricky but it's crucial to get it right!

My friend said u have to call and activate the card even if u dont use it or theyll think ur claim is fraud or something??? is that true?

Just wanted to add my experience - I got the ReliaCard about a week after my eligibility determination too. I was also confused at first! Like others mentioned, PA UC sends it automatically as a backup. I kept mine in my wallet without activating it for months, and my direct deposit worked perfectly the whole time. The one thing I'd suggest is writing down the card number somewhere safe (maybe take a photo) in case you ever need to reference it when calling UC. That way if there's ever a payment mix-up, you can quickly tell them the card details without having to dig around for the physical card.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - got disqualified last week after being laid off from my retail job. Reading through all these responses is giving me hope that I can actually win this appeal! @Kelsey Chin - have you received your hearing date yet? I'm curious how long it's taking them to schedule these days. Also wanted to mention that when I called (took forever to get through), the agent told me to make sure I have witness contact info ready in case the referee wants to call my former supervisor during the hearing. Might be worth having that prepared just in case!

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago - also got hit with a "voluntary quit" disqualification when I was clearly laid off due to company downsizing. It's infuriating but totally winnable if you have the right documentation! A few things that helped me beyond what others have mentioned: 1) If you have any coworkers who were laid off at the same time, get their contact info as potential witnesses, 2) Check if your company issued any press releases or public statements about layoffs that you can print out, and 3) Look through your employee handbook for the section on layoffs vs terminations - it can help establish that your employer knew the difference. My hearing was scheduled about 3 weeks after filing the appeal, and the whole thing lasted maybe 30 minutes over the phone. The key is staying calm and sticking to the facts. You've got this! The system is frustrating but it does work when you have solid evidence like that layoff notice you mentioned.