Thanks everyone for the advice! I'm going to file my initial claim this week, even though it sounds like I probably won't receive any actual benefits until the severance ends in October. Better safe than sorry with establishing the claim early. I'll make sure to accurately report the severance payments on my weekly claims too.

Kind of a side question but related - does anyone know if the severance affects the job search requirements? Do I still need to apply to jobs while getting severance even if my benefits are $0?

Waiting weeks are THE WORST!!! I had an issue last year where they made me serve TWO waiting weeks because of some glitch in their system and it took me filing an appeal to get it fixed which took FOREVER and I almost got evicted while waiting!!!! The UC system is completely BROKEN!!!!

Update: Just wanted to thank everyone for the help! I claimed my first week yesterday and got confirmation that payment has been processed - no waiting week required! Such a relief. For anyone in a similar situation, just make sure you definitely hit "reopen" rather than starting a new claim, and double-check that your benefit year start date hasn't changed. Thanks again for all the advice!

To answer your follow-up question - yes, Indeed.com applications absolutely count as job applications! You can use any job site (Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, etc.) or direct employer websites. Just make sure you keep records of: - The employer name - Position applied for - Date of application - How you applied (online, in-person, etc.) The PA UC office can audit your work search activities at any time up to 2 years after you claim benefits, so keep good records of everything.

One more important thing to know - if you do make a mistake on your weekly certification, you have 2 weeks to correct it by reaching out to PA UC. So while it's important to get the work search question right, don't panic if you realize you made an error after submitting. Just contact them right away to get it fixed before it affects your payments.

To answer your earlier question, they never called me back lol. I had to call them and wait on hold for like 2 hours before I got through. The whole system is so frustrating!

Just want to add that when they call about open issues, they'll typically try twice before sending you a determination letter (which might be a denial if they couldn't reach you). So don't just wait indefinitely if you missed their call. Best to be proactive and call them.

I just remembered something important - after my appeal was reversed, I got a call from a UC examiner who needed to verify some information before they could release my payments. They called from a blocked number and left a voicemail asking me to call back a direct extension. Make sure you're answering all calls, even unknown ones, and check your voicemail regularly! If you miss their call it could delay your payments even longer.

To address your follow-up questions: 1. Yes, you should absolutely continue filing your weekly claims during this period. This is crucial. 2. In most cases, payments will start automatically once the decision is fully processed, but in some situations (especially if there were multiple issues with your claim), you might need to speak with a representative. 3. The timing depends on several factors, but generally expect 2-4 weeks from seeing "reversed" on your dashboard until payments begin. 4. "Reversed" on an appeal almost always means the referee found in your favor and overturned the initial determination. 5. If you haven't received your decision letter within 14 days or payments within 30 days of seeing the "reversed" status, that's when you should be more persistent about following up.

make sure u call in 5 mins early for the hearing! my frend was late and the ref started without her and she lost her case

Update: Had my hearing yesterday! It was nerve-wracking but I think it went well. My ex-employer tried claiming I violated company policy, but when the referee asked for documentation of the policy and evidence I was trained on it, they couldn't provide anything! The referee seemed unimpressed with their case. Now I just have to wait for the decision. Thanks everyone for your advice - it really helped me prepare!

One last tip that might save you some time: take screenshots of the error message and have your ID ready when you do reach someone. They'll need to verify your identity before they can fix anything in the system. I'd also recommend preparing a list of all previous employers from the last 18 months with correct start/end dates, as they might ask for this information while they have you on the phone.

UPDATE: Finally got this resolved! For anyone who might face this issue in the future - the problem was that my previous employer had somehow entered my birth month and day switched around in their records (put 05/11 instead of 11/05). The UC agent was able to override the error and update my information correctly in the system. My application is now processing! Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions.

Just checked my Chime and my UC payment just hit my account! Anyone else get theirs? It was about 6 hours later than normal but at least it came through today. Check your accounts!

Glad to hear your payments came through! For future reference, there's a PA Treasury payment calendar on the UC website that shows processing dates. End-of-month delays are common because of the high volume of payments being processed. It's always good to check that calendar if you notice your payment is taking longer than usual.

Here's what's happening: The financial eligibility notice confirms you qualify for benefits based on your past wages. The ReliaCard is sent automatically to all approved claimants regardless of payment preference. If you selected direct deposit, your payments should still go to your bank account, but the card is provided as a backup method. I recommend checking your payment method in your PA UC portal to confirm direct deposit is still active. If you see "DD" next to your payment information, you're set for direct deposit. If you see "Debit Card" then your payments will go to the ReliaCard.

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?

I tried calling Claimyr after seeing someone recommend it on another thread. Got through to unemployment in about 15 minutes after trying on my own for two weeks. Just sharing in case it helps someone else who's desperate.

Just to provide some clarity on interstate claims since there seems to be some confusion: 1. For remote workers, the state where you physically performed the work (Ohio in your case) is typically considered your work location, regardless of where your employer is located. 2. However, since you paid PA taxes, your wages were likely reported to PA, which complicates things. 3. In your specific situation, you might need to file what's called a "combined-wage claim" where your wages from multiple states are combined. When you speak with a UC representative, specifically ask about combined-wage claims and whether your situation requires one. The good news is that these issues are resolvable - they just require getting through to someone who understands the interstate wage system.