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If I could give 10 stars I would If I could give 10 stars I would Such an amazing service so needed during the times when EDD almost never picks up Claimyr gets me on the phone with EDD every time without fail faster. A much needed service without Claimyr I would have never received the payment I needed to support me during my postpartum recovery. Thank you so much Claimyr!
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This thread has been incredibly helpful to read as someone who just started dealing with PA UC issues myself. Malik, I'm so relieved you got your benefits restored - what a nightmare to deal with as a single parent! It's really eye-opening to see how many people have had similar problems with the CareerLink system crashing during RESEA scheduling. The advice about going in person with documentation seems to be the golden ticket. I'm bookmarking this whole conversation in case I run into similar issues. It's crazy that the system is set up to automatically punish people first and ask questions later, but at least this community exists to help each other navigate these bureaucratic minefields. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions!
I'm also new here and this thread has been a lifesaver! Reading everyone's experiences really shows how common these RESEA system failures are. What struck me most is how @Malik Thomas had to essentially prove the state s'own website was broken just to get benefits restored - that s'backwards! But seeing the community come together with practical solutions like going to CareerLink in person, calling state reps, and documenting everything gives me hope. I m'dealing with my own UC complications and knowing there are real strategies that work not (just keep "calling makes") such a difference. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge - it s'clear this community is a vital resource for navigating PA s'frustrating system!
Wow, what an ordeal but I'm so happy you got it resolved! As someone new to this community, this thread has been incredibly educational. The fact that you had to physically go to CareerLink with your laptop to prove THEIR system was broken is absolutely ridiculous - but brilliant problem-solving on your part! It really shows how the UC system is designed to assume people are trying to cheat rather than recognizing legitimate technical issues. Your experience is going to help so many other parents who find themselves in similar situations. I'm definitely saving this thread as a reference guide. The community advice here about documenting everything, going in person, and not giving up really makes a difference. Thanks for sharing your journey and I hope your payment comes through quickly so you can focus on your little one instead of bureaucratic nightmares!
I'm also new to this community and just wanted to echo what everyone else is saying - this whole thread has been incredibly valuable! @Malik Thomas, I'm so glad you got your benefits restored and that going in person worked. It's really frustrating that the system puts the burden on claimants to prove technical failures that are clearly on their end. What really stands out to me is how this community came together with concrete, actionable advice rather than just sympathy. The tips about documenting everything, contacting state reps, and most importantly going to CareerLink in person seem to be the real solutions that cut through the red tape. As someone who might face similar UC issues in the future, I'm grateful for everyone who shared their experiences here. It's clear that persistence and knowing the right steps to take can make all the difference in these situations!
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I had this same issue last year and actually gave up trying to change it after calling for weeks. Just a heads up - you might want to set aside about 10-15% of what you're getting now for taxes. I ended up using TurboTax and there's a specific section for unemployment income where you enter the total from your 1099-G form. It was painful but at least I was prepared for it.
That's a good point about setting money aside. I've been spending it all on bills, but I'll try to start putting a bit away each week to cover the taxes. Really wish they'd make this easier to fix!
I went through this exact same nightmare! After weeks of trying to call, I finally got through using the callback feature on the PA UC website - you can request a callback instead of waiting on hold. It took about 3 days for them to call me back, but when they did, the agent changed my tax withholding in under 5 minutes. Just a heads up though - they can only change it going forward, so I still had to deal with owing taxes on the first few months of benefits I'd already received. I ended up having to do quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties. The whole system is so frustrating, but at least once you get it changed, you don't have to worry about it anymore!
Wait, there's a callback feature on the website?! I've been calling nonstop and getting nowhere. Where exactly did you find that option? I've looked all over the PA UC portal and haven't seen anything about requesting a callback. That would be a game changer if I could actually get them to call me back instead of wasting hours trying to get through!
@Victoria Jones I m'really interested in this callback feature too! I ve'been all over the PA UC website and can t'find it anywhere. Could you walk us through exactly where you found it? Was it under a specific section like Contact "Us or" buried somewhere else? This could save so many people from the endless phone call nightmare!
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UPDATE: I followed the advice to go through the Claim Information section and found the checkbox! It was actually under 'Financial Determination' and then 'Payment Options' on my screen (the UI must have changed recently). Just wanted to update in case anyone else is looking for it. Fingers crossed it takes effect with my next payment!
Smart tip about the screenshot! I just went back and grabbed one showing my change was submitted. Really hoping this works because I calculated roughly what I might owe and it's going to be a lot without any withholding. Has anyone had success with the system actually processing the change once you find the right section?
Yes! I made the change about 6 weeks ago through that same section and it worked perfectly. My next payment after the change had the 10% federal tax withheld. Just make sure you don't see any error messages when you submit the change. If the system accepts it, you should get a confirmation screen. The change usually takes effect with the very next payment cycle, so you should know pretty quickly if it worked!
Just a heads up for anyone still struggling with this - I had the same issue a few months back and what worked for me was clearing my browser cache before trying to make the change online. Apparently the PA UC system can get wonky with cached data and won't process updates properly. After clearing cache and logging back in, the tax withholding option worked perfectly and took effect immediately with my next payment. Worth trying before you spend hours on hold with their phone system!
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This is such a helpful thread! I'm currently waiting for my UC claim to be approved and was planning to elect tax withholding, but I had no idea PA takes out both federal AND state taxes. I was definitely assuming it would just be the 10% federal like Connor initially thought. Thanks to everyone who helped solve this mystery - I'll know to check that detailed payment view right away when my payments start so I'm not caught off guard. It's really frustrating that PA doesn't make this clearer during the application process. This community is awesome for helping newcomers navigate all these confusing details!
Welcome to the community! You're smart to get informed before your payments start. One tip that really helped me when I was new - after you get your first payment, definitely log in and explore all the different sections of the dashboard. There's so much hidden information that they don't tell you about upfront. The "Tax Information" section that @Dmitry Ivanov mentioned is gold, and the detailed payment breakdown view is a lifesaver. Also, don t'be afraid to ask questions here - everyone s'been super helpful and patient with newcomers like us. Good luck with your claim approval!
This entire thread has been incredibly educational! I'm also new to PA UC and had been wondering about some small discrepancies in my payments but hadn't taken the time to investigate. Seeing Connor work through this step-by-step and discover it was federal AND state tax withholding really opened my eyes. I had no idea PA automatically withholds for both when you elect tax withholding - like others mentioned, the system definitely makes it sound like it's just federal tax during setup. I'm going to go check that detailed payment view and Tax Information section right now to make sure I understand exactly what's happening with my benefits. Thanks to everyone who contributed their knowledge here - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating the confusing PA UC system!
You're absolutely right about how educational this whole thread has been! I'm also pretty new to collecting UC benefits and was completely in the dark about the tax withholding breakdown. Like you, I just assumed it would be straightforward federal tax withholding when I signed up. It's honestly pretty misleading how PA presents the tax withholding option during the application process - they really should be more upfront about the fact that it includes both federal and state portions. I'm definitely going to spend some time this weekend exploring all those dashboard sections everyone mentioned. It sounds like there's a lot of useful information buried in there that they don't make obvious to new users. Thanks to Connor for asking the question that so many of us were probably wondering about!
Natasha Orlova
To follow up on your question about being able to do desk work: This potentially could make you eligible for UC benefits, but there are specific requirements: 1. Your employer must be unable to accommodate your medical restrictions 2. You must be actively seeking work within those restrictions 3. You must be able to accept suitable work if offered The key here is that you'd need to be actively job searching for positions that fit your current medical restrictions. Keep in mind that this can be complicated to navigate, and your eligibility would be determined on a case-by-case basis.
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Oliver Schulz
•Thank you for clarifying. I'm definitely able to work desk jobs and am willing to apply for those positions. I'll focus on getting through to someone at PA UC to discuss my specific situation and see if I qualify. I appreciate everyone's help with this!
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LunarEclipse
I went through something very similar when I was pregnant with my second child in 2022. My doctor restricted me from my retail job due to complications, but said I could do sedentary work. Here's what I learned: You may actually qualify for UC benefits since your doctor cleared you for desk work and your employer can't accommodate. The key is being "able and available" for suitable work within your restrictions. When you file, make sure to: 1. Get a detailed letter from your doctor specifying what work you CAN do 2. Document that your employer cannot provide accommodation 3. Be prepared to actively search for jobs within your restrictions 4. Keep records of your job search activities I was initially denied but appealed with proper documentation and won. The process took about 6 weeks total. Also check if you qualify for WIC and SNAP benefits during this time - they can help with basic needs while you're waiting. Don't give up! The system is confusing but there are options available.
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Keisha Jackson
•This is incredibly helpful! Thank you for sharing your experience and the specific steps. I'm going to get that detailed letter from my doctor right away and document everything with my employer. It's encouraging to hear that you were successful on appeal even after being initially denied. Did you have to use a lawyer for the appeal process or were you able to handle it yourself? Also, do you remember roughly how much the UC benefits were compared to your regular salary?
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