I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - the 26-week cliff is brutal and it sounds like you've been doing absolutely everything right. I went through something similar in 2023 and wanted to share a few things that helped me get through it: First, definitely apply for everything you can immediately - SNAP, TANF, emergency rental assistance through your county. The application processes take time so start them all now even if you think you might not qualify. For medical billing specifically, have you looked into working with medical billing companies that serve smaller practices? A lot of solo practitioners and small clinics outsource their billing now. Companies like Kareo, AdvancedMD, and athenahealth often contract with experienced billers for remote work. The pay might not be what you're used to, but it could bridge the gap. Also check if your local community college has any workforce retraining programs with stipends - some of them specifically target people who've exhausted UI benefits. Even if it's not directly medical billing, skills like QuickBooks certification or medical assistant training could open up opportunities. One more thing - contact 211 (just dial 2-1-1) for your area. They maintain a database of local emergency assistance programs that caseworkers at other agencies might not even know about. You're clearly a hard worker caught in an impossible situation. This isn't your fault - the system is just broken right now. Hang in there and don't be afraid to accept help wherever you can find it. ❤️

I'm so sorry you're facing this situation - the anxiety of hitting that 26-week cutoff is just crushing, especially with a family depending on you. I've been reading through all the amazing advice in this thread and wanted to add a couple more resources that helped me when I was in a similar spot: 1. Check if your area has any "One-Stop Career Centers" - they're federally funded and sometimes have emergency assistance funds or connections to employers that regular job sites don't. The staff there often know which local companies are actually hiring vs just posting fake job ads. 2. For medical billing, consider reaching out to physical therapy clinics and chiropractor offices directly - they're often understaffed in billing and might be willing to hire someone part-time or as a contractor even if they're not actively recruiting. 3. If you have any old contacts from your 8 years in medical billing, now is the time to reach out. I know it feels awkward, but people in the industry understand how tough things are right now. A former coworker or supervisor might know about openings that aren't posted yet. 4. Look into your local Area Agency on Aging - even if you're not a senior, they sometimes administer emergency assistance programs for all ages and often move faster than other agencies. You're clearly doing everything right and this job market is just brutal right now. The fact that you're getting zero callbacks with 8+ years of experience shows this is about the market, not your qualifications. Keep fighting - you've got this! 💪

After trying everything people suggested here, I finally got through using Claimyr today! The agent confirmed my claim was stuck in their "state wage investigation" queue and needed manual processing. They expedited it and said I should see payments within 7-10 days. Will update if the money actually shows up. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

I'm dealing with a similar situation but from a different angle - I'm a former state employee who just started the UC process after seeing all these horror stories. Should I be doing anything proactively to avoid getting stuck in this limbo? Like calling that HR Service Center number right away or making sure my claim is flagged properly? I worked for the Department of Health and my last day was two weeks ago. Really don't want to end up in the same 5-month nightmare you're going through!

One additional thing to consider - in your weekly certifications, make sure you're consistently reporting your job search activities. Even though you haven't been paid yet, failing to report the required job search activities could lead to disqualification for those specific weeks. PA requires at least one application and one work search activity weekly. This is especially important for contested claims like yours, as they will scrutinize everything if they're looking for reasons to deny benefits. Also, if you haven't already, check to make sure your payment method is properly set up in the system. Once your claim is approved, payment will be directed to whatever payment method you have on file. Some people discover after approval that their banking information was incorrect or their Money Network debit card address was wrong, causing further delays.

I'm so sorry you're going through this nightmare - 5 months without income is absolutely devastating. I went through something similar in 2022 when I was fired while on medical leave, though mine only took about 3 months to resolve. A few things that helped me during the wait: 1. Document your financial hardship thoroughly - keep records of all bills, notices, etc. This can help if you get a chance to request expedited processing 2. Check with your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1) for emergency assistance programs in your area 3. If you have any union representation or know an employment attorney, sometimes they can make calls on your behalf that carry more weight 4. Consider reaching out to local news stations - they sometimes do stories on UC delays that can put pressure on the system The backpay situation is real though - when I finally got approved, I received about $8,000 all at once covering the months I waited. It was overwhelming but such a relief. Hang in there and keep fighting - you're doing everything right by continuing to file weekly and staying persistent.

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!