don't worry too much! happened to me once, payment just came a day later than usual. the system isn't THAT strict about a few hours

I can relate to this panic! I did the same thing about 3 months ago - completely spaced out on Sunday and didn't realize until I was getting ready for bed around 12:30 AM. Filed at like 12:45 AM Monday morning. My payment came exactly one day later than usual, so if you normally get it Tuesday you should get it Wednesday. The key thing is you're still well within the certification window (they give you Sunday through Friday to file). As long as you don't have any other issues pending on your claim, you should be totally fine. Set a phone reminder for next Sunday so it doesn't happen again!

wait do we have to report hours or just days worked??? i thought we just had to tell them which DAYS we worked not the actual hours???

I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago! I forgot to report 8 hours of work and panicked when I realized it. I ended up calling the UC office (took forever to get through) but the rep was really understanding since I was being proactive about fixing it. They adjusted my claim for that week and I had to pay back about $60 in overpayment, but no penalties since I reported it myself. The key is to NOT wait - the longer you wait, the worse it looks. Also, definitely don't try to "fix" it by adding hours to next week's claim - that will just make things worse. Good luck getting through on the phone!

FINAL UPDATE: My claim was approved today! The senator's office definitely made the difference. All my back weeks were approved and payment is pending to my ReliaCard. For anyone else dealing with federal employment verification delays, don't wait 8 weeks like I did - contact your state representatives much earlier! Thanks to everyone who offered advice.

Congratulations Emily! Your persistence really paid off. This is such a helpful thread for anyone dealing with federal employment UC issues. I'm saving your timeline and tips about contacting state senators early - that could save others weeks of waiting. It's ridiculous that the system works this way, but at least now we know the workarounds. Thanks for following up with the resolution!

I was actually able to get through to UC yesterday! I used that call service someone mentioned and got connected pretty quickly. The agent was super helpful and put detailed notes in my file explaining the situation. She said it was good I submitted the form with

That's great news that you got through and got it sorted out! For anyone else dealing with this - documentation is absolutely key. Always keep screenshots of any communications with your employer about your employment status. PA UC really does try to catch people on technicalities with these forms, but if you have proof that the employer initiated the separation (like Caleb's text message), you should be fine. The system is definitely frustrating but it sounds like you handled it the right way by being persistent and getting an agent to document everything properly.

They typically don't contact employers during the session itself, but PA UC does conduct random audits where they may verify your work search activities afterward. This is why it's crucial to have accurate information about where you applied, when, and the method of application (online, in-person, etc.). As long as you've been honest in your applications, you have nothing to worry about. One tip: After your RESEA session, continue logging into PA CareerLink regularly (at least once a week) as sometimes they monitor this activity as part of your ongoing eligibility requirements.

Just wanted to add that if you're in the restaurant/hospitality industry like I was, they'll likely discuss how your skills transfer to other sectors during the RESEA session. I went through one last month after my hotel closed, and the counselor helped me realize that my management experience could apply to retail, customer service, or even administrative roles I hadn't considered before. They also mentioned some quick certification programs that might boost my chances. It ended up being way more helpful than I expected - I actually got connected to a job lead through their system that I'm interviewing for next week! Don't stress too much about it, just be prepared and honest about what you've been doing for your job search.