Just wanted to add my experience from last year when I had rotator cuff surgery. I followed exactly what everyone here is recommending - filed for the partial week (3 days available, 2 days unavailable including surgery day), then completely stopped filing for my 6-week recovery period. When I reopened my claim, I had all my medical documentation ready but they didn't even ask for it - just needed me to confirm the dates I was medically unable to work. The whole reopening process was surprisingly smooth and I was back to regular weekly filings within a few days. The most important thing is definitely being upfront about everything. PA UC seems to handle legitimate medical situations pretty reasonably as long as you're honest from the start. Also, pro tip - when you're cleared to return to work, make sure you get a written note from your doctor stating you're released for full duties. Having that documentation made me feel more confident when answering the reopening questions.

I went through something very similar when I had my wisdom teeth removal last fall! The advice here is spot-on. I filed for my partial week (available 3 days, unavailable 2 days for surgery and immediate recovery) and got prorated benefits. Then I stopped filing completely for the 10 days I was on pain meds and couldn't work. When I reopened my claim, they asked the standard questions about why I hadn't filed, and I just explained it was for dental surgery recovery. The representative was totally understanding and said medical situations like this are common and handled routinely. The whole reopening took maybe 10 minutes online. One thing that really helped me was keeping a simple log of my recovery dates and when my dentist cleared me to return to normal activities. Even though they didn't ask for documentation, having those dates organized made me feel more confident answering their questions accurately. The system is definitely set up to handle legitimate medical situations - just be honest and follow the rules!

This is such a valuable thread for anyone dealing with PA UC determination letters! I went through something similar a few months ago and those letters really are terrifying when you first get them. The key thing to remember is that PA UC evaluates each week individually for eligibility, so a disqualification for backdated weeks doesn't automatically disqualify you from future benefits. One thing I'd add is to keep detailed records of all your work search activities and weekly certifications during this time. Even though your current claim is processing normally now, having good documentation can save you headaches if any questions come up later. The PA system can be unpredictable and it's always better to have more documentation than you think you need. Great job following up with the update too - it really helps other community members who might be in similar situations!

I'm so relieved to see this thread! I just got a similar determination letter today for some backdated weeks and was absolutely panicking when I saw that huge "NOT ELIGIBLE" at the top. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring - it sounds like PA UC really needs to redesign these letters to be clearer about what they actually mean. I'm definitely going to keep filing my current weekly claims and make sure I stay on top of my work search requirements. It's crazy how confusing they make this process when people are already stressed about being unemployed. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially @Mateo Martinez for the update that your payment went through - that gives me hope that mine will too!

Based on everything you've shared, you're definitely doing the right thing by submitting the UC-2B form. Since your employer has confirmed they reported your wages to PA, and you have documentation, it's likely just a system error or mismatch. Interstate claims do take longer, but 3 months is excessive. A wage investigation should resolve this within 2-4 weeks. One thing to consider while waiting: check if you qualify for other emergency assistance programs. Your local Ohio county assistance office might have emergency rental assistance or other programs to help with bills in the meantime.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - working in PA but living in NJ. Haven't been waiting as long as you (only about 6 weeks) but getting the same runaround. One thing that helped me was getting my employer to send me a copy of their UC-2 quarterly report that shows my wages AND their PA employer account number. When I called PA UC (took forever to get through), having that specific account number seemed to help them locate my records faster. Also, if you haven't already, try calling first thing Monday morning right at 8 AM - that's when I finally got through. Hang in there, this system is brutal but you will get your backpay once it's resolved.

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through this exact situation 3 months ago. Filed my new application the day after my benefit year ended and it took exactly 17 days to get my first payment. During that waiting period, I kept filing my weekly certifications even though I wasn't getting paid - this is CRUCIAL because once your claim is approved, they'll pay you retroactively for all those weeks you filed. Also, make sure you have your Social Security earnings statement handy when you apply - they use that to verify your wages if employers don't respond quickly to their requests. The whole process is stressful but stick with it and keep filing every week!

I'm in a similar situation - my benefit year ends next Tuesday and I'm really nervous about the whole process. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful! It sounds like the key points are: 1) File the very first day after your benefit year ends, 2) Keep filing weekly certifications even during the waiting period, 3) Have all your employment documentation ready, and 4) Expect 2-3 weeks before seeing payments. One question - if I worked some gig work (DoorDash/Uber) during my current benefit year, do I need to report those earnings when I reapply? I kept track of everything but wasn't sure if gig work counts the same as regular W-2 employment for qualifying wages.

Wow, reading through all these solutions has been so helpful! I've been lurking in this community for a while but had to create an account to share my experience. I had the exact same authentication error for weeks and was getting really anxious about my benefits. Tried the incognito browser trick that @Isabella Russo mentioned and it worked perfectly! Turns out it was my ad blocker extension causing the problem. I'm so grateful for communities like this where people actually help each other navigate these frustrating government systems. For anyone still struggling, I'd also suggest trying to log in during off-peak hours (like early morning or late evening) - sometimes the site just gets overloaded during business hours when everyone's trying to use it. Keep your documentation handy and don't give up! These technical issues are definitely not your fault.

Just wanted to add my experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I'm new to the UC system and was having the same authentication errors with CareerLink for about two weeks. After reading through everyone's solutions, I tried the incognito browser method that @Isabella Russo suggested and it worked like a charm! Turns out my privacy-focused browser extensions were blocking some of the authentication scripts. What really struck me reading through this thread is how many different technical issues can cause the same error message - browser extensions, DNS settings, VPNs, password managers, even server overload during peak hours. It's honestly ridiculous that PA's system is so fragile, but I'm so grateful for this community sharing all these workarounds. For anyone new to this like me, definitely keep detailed records of your job search activities outside of CareerLink just in case, and don't panic if you can't access the system right away - there's almost always a technical solution. Thanks everyone for making this stressful process a little easier!