kind of off topic but while ur waiting have u applied for SNAP benefits (food stamps)? might help a little with expenses till this gets sorted out

One additional suggestion: if you haven't already, document every communication with your former employer about the separation. Text messages, emails, the final paycheck stub showing layoff vs. quit - anything that supports your version of events. The more prepared you are for the actual hearing, the better your chances of winning regardless of their delay tactics.

just wondering did u file ur biweekly claim? cuz if u dont do that even after initial approval u wont get paid. i missed that my first time and was confused why no money came

Just to follow up with some additional information: In 2025, PA UC has been transitioning some of its payment processing systems, and there have been reports of first-time direct deposits taking longer than usual. If you do manage to speak with a representative, ask specifically if your payment was caught in the transition process. Also, if your payment was processed on 3/3, remember that it could mean it was processed at the end of the business day, which would mean banking days would start counting from 3/4. Given potential weekends and processing time, in the worst case, you might see it by 3/10. Please update this thread when you have a resolution so others can benefit from your experience!

Update: I spoke with my HR department today and showed them my surgeon's restrictions. They agreed to a 30-hour week trial period for the next month! They're calling it an ADA accommodation like many of you suggested. They said we'll reevaluate after 4 weeks. There will be some reduction in pay obviously, but it's better than losing my job entirely. They weren't aware of the partial UC option, so I might still look into that to supplement the lost income. Thanks everyone for your advice!

Good news!!! My frend says make sure u get the ADA thing in WRITING tho. Some companys try to go back on stuff if its just verbal promise.

When this happened to me I found out I was eligible for different benefits through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program because my job went overseas. I got extended income support while I was in training. Maybe check if your layoff qualifies for anything similar?

Just wanted to update you - I spoke with my CareerLink advisor today about something else, and they mentioned that PA has the WIOA program (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) that sometimes provides financial support during training for eligible individuals. Since you mentioned you're in a training program, this might be worth asking about as well!

Update: I went ahead and applied today. The online system was actually easier to use than I expected. When asked about my separation reason, I made sure to select "Lack of Work" and included my supervisor's contact info. Now the waiting game begins. Thanks for all the advice everyone - I'll let you know what happens!

I think ur gonna be fine because u were laid off and didnt quit. My cousin just got benefits last month and she only worked like 4 months at her job before getting laid off. The lack of work thing is the important part i think

btw if u have the money network card instead of direct deposit sometimes it actually shows up the same day (tuesday) anyway. happened to me last holiday but my friend with direct deposit had to wait till wednesday

Just a tip for the future - the PA UC website does actually list the holiday schedule under the FAQ section, but it's buried pretty deep. If you go to www.uc.pa.gov and look under Claimant Services > Payment Information > Payment Schedule, you'll find the holiday delay information. They should definitely make this more prominent though.

btw make sure u do the work search activities every week too, not just the registration. that tripped me up at first

Just to follow up - registration with PA CareerLink AND weekly work search activities are two separate requirements. You need both to maintain eligibility: 1. One-time CareerLink registration (within 30 days of initial claim) 2. Weekly work search activities (minimum of 2 per week) To verify registration status, call PA CareerLink directly at 866-858-2753 rather than the UC number. They can confirm your registration status much faster than UC representatives.

Yep, 8am Eastern. And it took about 3 business days for the payment to actually hit my account after they approved it. Just make sure you're super clear about which specific week you missed.

I used that Claimyr service someone mentioned above when I had a similar issue last month. It worked surprisingly well - had me connected in about 15 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. Cost a bit but was worth it to me to get my backdated claim processed. The UC rep was able to fix everything in one call. Just make sure when you do talk to someone that you clearly explain it was a one-time emergency situation. They're generally pretty reasonable about approving backdated claims when you have a legitimate reason.

Don't forget to look into other assistance programs too while you're job searching. PA has rent assistance through some counties, utility assistance through LIHEAP, and food assistance through SNAP. The PA Compass website lets you apply for multiple programs at once. Also check with 211 for local resources. You should also start applying for everything now, even jobs you're not super excited about. It's much easier to find a job when you already have one, even if it's not ideal. Manufacturing skills can transfer to warehouse work, logistics, maintenance, or even retail management positions.

Last year my brother got into the same situation and what he did was sign up for gig work (doordash, instacart etc) while still looking for a real job. The money wasn't amazing but it kept some income coming in after his UC ran out. Just saying it might be an option to consider...

The provisional determination is technically subject to revision if the federal employer eventually responds with substantially different wage information. However, in practice, most federal wage reports end up confirming what employees submit (paystubs, W-2s). The main issue is usually just the delay. Once you receive payments, it's rare that they would later determine an overpayment unless there's a major discrepancy in the wage reports.

Update us when you hear something! Federal wages are definitely one of the most common delays in the PA UC system right now. And while you're waiting, double-check your dashboard to make sure you don't have any other issues or tasks that need completing. Sometimes there are hidden issues that can cause additional delays even after the wage verification is complete.