I literally just went through this same nightmare two weeks ago! The greyed out direct deposit option had me pulling my hair out for hours. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: 1) Used Microsoft Edge browser instead of Chrome, 2) Disabled all browser extensions temporarily, and 3) Made sure I was logged out completely, cleared all PA UC cookies specifically (not just general cache), then logged back in fresh. The key thing I learned is that their payment system integration is super buggy when there are any saved form data or cookies from previous sessions. Also pro tip - if you do end up having to start with the debit card, you can switch to direct deposit pretty easily once your claim is approved. Just go to "Update Payment Information" in your dashboard. The switch usually takes effect for your next payment cycle. Don't let this technical glitch stress you out too much - it's definitely on their end, not yours!

I just dealt with this exact same issue last month! The greyed out direct deposit option is so frustrating. What worked for me was trying a completely different approach - I used my tablet instead of my computer and accessed the site through the DuckDuckGo browser app. For some reason their payment form loads differently on mobile devices and tablets. Also make sure you're not using any VPN or proxy - that can sometimes interfere with their payment processor verification. If you're still stuck, try waiting until after midnight and before 6am when their system does maintenance updates. I noticed the payment options were more responsive during those hours. And honestly, even if you have to start with the debit card temporarily, it's not the end of the world - I switched to direct deposit about a week after my claim was approved and it was super straightforward. The important thing is just getting your claim submitted so you can start the processing timeline!

One more important thing - when you file bi-weekly claims, do it early in the week (Sunday or Monday) if possible. If there are any issues with your answers that require staff review, filing early gives them more time to resolve it before payment processing runs at the end of the week. And be consistent with your answers from week to week unless your situation has actually changed.

Just wanted to add my experience as a newcomer who went through this recently! I'm in the steelworkers union and was terrified about messing up my first bi-weekly claim after reading horror stories online. The advice here is spot on - definitely answer YES to the work search question because your union registration counts as ongoing job search activity. One thing that helped me was calling my union hall before filing my first claim to make sure I understood exactly how our system works. My business agent explained that as long as I'm on the out-of-work list and available when they call with jobs, that satisfies the work search requirement. Also, keep records of when you check in with the hall or update your availability - I write down dates just in case I ever get audited. Better to be over-prepared than sorry! Good luck with your first filing, the process gets much easier once you do it a couple times.

I just went through this same situation a few months ago! I was on temporary layoff from my manufacturing job with a return date about 5 weeks out. The confusion is totally understandable because PA's system doesn't make it clear upfront. Here's what I learned: if you have official documentation of your return date and your employer filed it correctly as a temporary layoff, you should qualify for standby status. But the tricky part is that the work search questions still show up in your weekly certification - you just answer them differently. When I finally got through to a PA UC rep (took about 12 tries over 3 days), they confirmed I was exempt from work search but said I still needed to answer "yes" to being available for work and select the option indicating I was on standby status with a return date. The key is making sure your status is properly noted in their system. I'd recommend calling ASAP to get this confirmed rather than guessing. In the meantime, you might want to do the minimum work search activities just to be safe until you get official confirmation. Better to do unnecessary searches than risk losing benefits over a misunderstanding.

I was in a very similar situation last year with a construction layoff and confirmed return date. The most important thing is getting official confirmation from PA UC that you're properly classified for standby status. Don't assume it's set up correctly just because you provided the return date during your application. Here's what worked for me: I called PA UC (yes, it took many attempts) and specifically asked them to verify my "standby status" was active in their system. The representative confirmed it and made a note in my file. Even with standby status, you still need to file weekly claims and answer that you're available for work, but you're exempt from the actual job search activities. If you're having trouble getting through by phone, document everything in the meantime - keep copies of your return-to-work paperwork, take screenshots of your claim details showing "temporary layoff" status, and consider doing minimal work searches until you get that official confirmation. It's not worth risking your benefits over uncertainty about the requirements.

my cousin had this happen with his job at the warehouse and he got to keep getting paid the whole time the appeal was going on. then he won anyway so it didnt matter. dont stress too much!!

Just went through a similar employer appeal situation last fall - definitely keep filing those weekly claims religiously! The key thing that saved me was having ANY written documentation about the separation. Even if it's just an email from your supervisor mentioning staffing changes or budget cuts, that can be huge evidence in your favor. Also, during the hearing, stick to the facts and don't let emotions take over even if your former employer says frustrating things. The referee will focus on the legal standards for unemployment eligibility, not personal drama. You've got this!

One important thing to note: When you contact your state rep again, make sure to mention that you've been waiting 8 weeks TOTAL, not just the time since their intervention. The PA UC department has internal guidelines that cases over 8 weeks old should receive priority review. Your state rep can highlight this fact when they inquire. Also, if you have any scheduled bill due dates or financial deadlines approaching, include those specific dates. Having concrete deadlines helps your rep emphasize the urgency of your situation.

I'm in a similar situation - been waiting 7 weeks for my open issue to be resolved and getting really worried about making rent. Reading all these responses gives me hope that persistence pays off! Quick question for everyone who's had success with multiple contacts to their state rep - did you call or email the second time? I emailed the first time but wondering if calling might get faster attention since time is running out. Also, has anyone tried contacting BOTH their state rep AND their state senator at the same time, or is that overkill? Thanks for all the helpful advice in this thread - it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this frustrating situation!