My cousin got approved last month and didn't get paid cause they had her old bank account still in the system even though she updated it! Make super sure your banking info is correct in your profile section!!!

Quick update for you - most approved claims in 2025 are being processed within 48-72 hours if there are no issues with your banking information. If you don't see a transaction number by the end of business tomorrow, I would recommend contacting them to verify everything is moving forward correctly. Also, when you do receive your payment, check that the amount matches what you're expecting based on your weekly benefit amount plus the backpay for all those weeks. Sometimes the calculations can be off.

when I was on unemployment last year my first payment was direct deposit actually but then the next THREE were checks for some reason. then it went back to direct deposit. their system is so messed up sometimes lol

One more thing to be aware of: if you made ANY errors on your weekly certification forms, the system sometimes flags the payment and defaults back to a paper check. This happens especially if you report part-time work or job search activities in a way that triggers their verification system. For future reference, always double-check your weekly certifications before submitting.

Just to clarify a few things that might help while you wait: 1. Appeal timelines currently average 6-8 weeks for scheduling in PA, though it varies by region 2. You can check your appeal status by going to the UC website, clicking on "Appeals" and entering your appeal number from your notice 3. The hearing notice will come with instructions for submitting evidence before the hearing 4. You don't need a lawyer, though you can have one if you want - most people represent themselves 5. Prepare a simple timeline of events and be ready to clearly explain why you believe you were terminated without cause During the hearing itself, stay calm and stick to facts. The referee wants to hear what happened without emotional arguments.

o yeah i forgot to mention when i had my hearing the employer didnt even have any proof of the misconduct they claimed. the ref asked them for documentation and they just had like one writeup from months b4 i was fired that had nothing to do with why they fired me. if ur employer is lying they probably dont have good records to back it up

The 888 number is the correct one, but here are some strategies that have worked for me and others I've helped: 1. Call EXACTLY at 7:59am, not 8:00 (phones actually turn on slightly before 8) 2. If you have an open issue, try the dedicated open issues line: 1-855-284-8545 3. For benefit payment questions specifically: 1-888-255-4728 4. For PIN reset issues: 1-888-313-7284, press 2, then 2 again 5. Use the messaging system in your dashboard (slower but they do respond) Also, make sure your claim doesn't have any "open issues" in your dashboard that require documents or information from you. That's often what causes delays.

UPDATE: I finally got through! Used the Claimyr service that @profile2 recommended and was connected with an agent in about 30 minutes. The issue with my claim was that they needed additional employment verification that wasn't clearly marked in my portal. The agent helped me upload the right documents and said my claim should be processed within 7-10 days. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

when i had my hearing it was on the phone not in person, is that normal? they gave me like 2 days notice which was super stressful. make sure you check your mail everyday

One more thing I forgot to mention - if you're truly in a financial emergency while waiting for your appeal, contact your local state representative's office. They sometimes can help expedite UC issues or connect you with emergency assistance programs. My state rep's office actually helped get my appeal hearing scheduled faster after I explained my situation to them.

when my brother got laid off from the amazon warehouse last year he got same thing happening. turns out they approved him for regular benefits but then disqualified him because they thought he should be on some other type of claim. took him forever to get it fixed.

One last piece of advice - while your appeal is pending, CONTINUE TO FILE YOUR WEEKLY CLAIMS even though you won't get paid right away. If you win your appeal, they can only pay you for weeks you properly certified. I've seen too many people miss out on back payments because they stopped filing during the appeal process.

Try using the "posted within" filter on CareerLink - it helps a little but not completely. I've had better luck with Indeed for my work search. Remember to check the "date posted" on any job listing. Current PA work search rules: - Must complete 2 qualified activities per week - Must accept suitable work if offered - Must keep records of all work search activities for 2 years (in case of audit) - Must register with PA CareerLink within 30 days of initial UC application Don't forget that applying to jobs posted on Facebook jobs, company websites, or even inquiring about positions in person all count! The job doesn't have to come from CareerLink.

To answer your question about a specific form - PA UC doesn't require a specific form for tracking work search activities. However, they do provide an optional form called "UC-304 Record of Job Applications and Work Search Activities" that you can download from their website. Using this form ensures you're capturing all the information they might ask for in an audit. If you're filing online, you'll notice they only ask you to certify that you completed the activities, not to enter details. But keep your records safe because they do conduct random audits where they'll request your detailed work search information. Regarding the virtual workshops - yes, attending CareerLink workshops (virtual or in-person) absolutely counts as a work search activity! Many claimants don't realize this, but it's one of the easiest ways to fulfill the requirement.

Good news - the fact that you never received any disciplinary actions before will work strongly in your favor. In PA, UC generally requires a pattern of misconduct or a very serious single incident to justify denial of benefits. Getting a shift covered with manager approval doesn't meet that standard. I recommend preparing a timeline document with: 1. Date you requested the shift coverage 2. Name of manager who approved it 3. Date of termination 4. Any relevant company policies 5. Names of witnesses Once you get through to a examiner, this will help them process your case faster.

Just wanted to add - while waiting for your claim to resolve, make sure you're still filing your weekly certifications every week. Even with the separation issue pending, you need to keep certifying to receive backpay once approved.

Quick update on my earlier comment - if your financial situation is getting desperate while waiting, make sure you apply for other assistance too. PA 211 can connect you with rent assistance programs, and you might qualify for emergency SNAP benefits that can be processed faster than your UC claim. Don't wait until you're completely out of money to look into these options.

Just to clarify some misinformation in this thread: The PA UC system is definitely backed up, but there is no intentional delaying of claims. The main issues are staffing shortages and an outdated computer system. Also, for the original poster: Make sure you're filing your biweekly claims properly during this waiting period, and double-check that your job search activities are being recorded correctly (you need to be doing at least 2 work search activities per week). Many claims get delayed because of job search requirement issues.

I used to work at CareerLink back in 2021 and we were constantly telling people they could use ANY job search method to meet UC requirements. The only requirement is registration with CareerLink, not actually using it to apply. But soooo many people are confused about this because the UC instructions are written poorly.

One more thing worth mentioning - if you're in healthcare admin, have you tried looking at the PA state jobs website? They often have decent-paying administrative positions at state hospitals and healthcare facilities that might match your background better than what you're finding elsewhere. Just another option to consider while you're job hunting!