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Update: I submitted my new application yesterday and the system is showing an "open issue" already. Is this normal? Should I try calling them to find out what the issue is? I'm getting really anxious about this whole process.
Open issues during reapplication are very common. It usually means they're verifying something with your former or current employer, or there might be a discrepancy in reported wages. I would recommend trying to call, but be prepared for long wait times. The online message center is another option, though responses can take 7-10 business days.
I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My benefit year just ended last week and I'm terrified about reapplying. Reading everyone's experiences here is both helpful and scary - sounds like it really varies from person to person. I've been working part-time too (about 20 hours/week at a restaurant) so I'm hoping that's enough to qualify for a new claim. The waiting period is what's killing me though. Bills don't stop coming just because UC takes weeks to process applications! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it helps to know I'm not alone in this stressful situation.
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I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago! The benefit year transition is definitely confusing but everyone here gave you solid advice. One thing I'd add - when you're filling out that new initial claim, be super careful about the dates for your temporary job. Make sure you report the exact start and end dates because any mistakes there can delay your approval. Also, if your new weekly benefit amount ends up being lower than before (which happened to me), you can sometimes appeal that determination if you think they calculated it wrong. The appeals process isn't fun but it's worth it if there's a significant difference. Hang in there - the whole system is frustrating but you'll get through it!
Thanks for mentioning the appeals process! I didn't even know that was an option if the weekly amount comes out wrong. How long did your appeal take to get resolved? I'm hoping my calculation comes out okay but it's good to know there's a backup plan if something seems off with the math.
Hey Amina! I just went through this same exact thing about 3 months ago when my benefit year ended. It's definitely confusing but you're on the right track now that you filed the new initial claim. A few things that might help while you're waiting: 1. Keep a spreadsheet or notes of when you filed your new claim and any confirmation numbers - it makes it easier if you need to call later 2. Continue filing those weekly certifications like you did - even if the system seems glitchy, keep doing it every week 3. Start documenting your job search activities NOW even while waiting for approval (companies applied to, dates, positions, etc.) because they'll want that info once you're approved The 2-3 week timeline is usually pretty accurate for new claims. In my case, I got approved in exactly 16 days and they released all the weekly payments I had filed while waiting. The hardest part is just the waiting and uncertainty, but it sounds like you did everything right! Keep us posted on how it goes.
This is really helpful advice, Diego! I'm definitely going to start that spreadsheet - I already feel like I'm losing track of all the different steps and dates. Quick question though - when you say document job search activities, do I need to do that in the PA UC system or just keep my own records? I want to make sure I'm covering all my bases while waiting for the new claim to get approved.
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I'm currently going through this exact same process and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! I do freelance marketing consulting while on UC from my corporate job loss. The examiner's questions were so confusing - they kept asking if I have "complete freedom" in my work, but it's not that black and white when clients give you parameters but you execute independently. What I've learned from everyone's experiences here is that the key is emphasizing three things: 1) the massive income difference (my corporate salary was $55K vs maybe $300-500/month freelancing), 2) how irregular and unpredictable the work is (some months nothing, other months a small project), and 3) that you're actively job searching and available for full-time work. It sounds like independent contractor classification is actually preferable since you still get benefits, just with weekly income reporting and adjustments. The 3-4 week wait time everyone mentioned gives me realistic expectations too. Thank you all for sharing your stories - it's made this stressful process so much more manageable knowing others have successfully navigated the same situation!
This whole thread has been such a relief to find! I'm in week 3 of waiting for my determination on freelance copywriting work and was starting to panic that I'd answered those tricky questions wrong. Reading everyone's experiences has shown me that PA UC actually can handle side gigs properly - they just make the initial interview way more confusing than necessary. Your three key points are exactly what I emphasized too, especially the huge income gap between my $48K salary and maybe $400/month in freelance work. It's good to know that independent contractor status is actually the better outcome since you keep benefits with weekly reporting. Thanks for summarizing what we've all learned here!
I'm in the exact same boat right now with PA UC! I do freelance video editing while collecting benefits from my media company layoff. The examiner asked me those same impossible yes/no questions about "direction and control" when the reality is so much more nuanced - clients give me footage and basic requirements, but I have creative control over the editing process. Reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly helpful and reassuring. It's clear that the three key points to emphasize are: 1) the massive income difference between your main job and freelance work, 2) how irregular and unpredictable the side work is, and 3) that you're actively job searching and available for full-time employment. My corporate salary was $52K and I maybe make $200-600 per month freelancing, with some months having zero projects at all. It sounds like independent contractor classification is actually what we want since you keep benefits with weekly income reporting. The 3-4 week timeline everyone mentioned helps set realistic expectations too. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - this thread has turned what felt like a terrifying situation into something much more manageable. It's frustrating that PA UC makes this initial process so confusing when the weekly reporting afterward seems straightforward!
This entire discussion has been such a game-changer for my anxiety about this process! I'm also dealing with freelance work (photography) while on UC and was convinced I'd somehow ruined my claim by mentioning it. Your video editing situation sounds so similar to mine - clients provide basic requirements but I have creative control over the final product, which makes those "direction and control" questions nearly impossible to answer accurately with just yes/no. The three key points everyone keeps mentioning really seem to be the magic formula: emphasizing the income gap, irregular nature, and continued job search availability. My main job was $46K and freelance brings in maybe $150-400 monthly when I actually have projects, so the disparity is huge. It's such a relief to know that independent contractor status is actually favorable and that the weekly reporting system works well once you get through this initial hurdle. Week 2 of waiting for me, but now I have realistic expectations instead of just panic. Thank you all for creating such a supportive thread - it's exactly what people going through this confusing process need!
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I'm going through this exact same situation right now! My BYE date is coming up in two weeks and I was totally panicking about it. This thread has been so helpful - I had no idea you could still file for that final week after your benefit year ends. The PA UC system really doesn't make this clear at all. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially about the system updates in February. It's such a relief to know this is normal and that others have successfully navigated this process!
@Seraphina Delan You re'so right about the PA UC system not making this clear! I went through the same panic when I first saw my BYE date approaching. This community has been a lifesaver for understanding how things actually work versus what you can figure out from the official website. Just make sure to file early on Sunday like others mentioned - don t'wait until the last minute in case there are any system hiccups. You ve'got this!
@Seraphina Delan I m'in a similar boat with my BYE coming up next month! This whole thread has been incredibly helpful. It s'crazy how confusing the PA UC system can be - you d'think something as basic as can "I file my last week would" be clearly explained somewhere official. Definitely bookmarking this conversation for when I get to that point. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences!
I just wanted to add my experience since I went through this exact same situation a few months ago. Yes, you can definitely file for that final week after your BYE date - I was able to submit my claim on the Sunday after my benefit year ended without any issues. The key thing is to make sure you file within the normal weekly filing window (Sunday through Friday). One tip that really helped me: when you log into the system after your BYE date, it might look a little different or show some warnings about your benefit year ending, but don't panic! As long as you're filing for a week that was within your benefit year, you're good to go. I'd also recommend having your work search activities well documented for that final week, as they sometimes do additional reviews on claims filed after the BYE date. Hope this helps ease some of your stress - you'll get through this!
@Nick Kravitz Thanks for sharing your experience! It s'so reassuring to hear from someone who actually went through this recently. The warning about the system looking different after the BYE date is really helpful - I can imagine that would be scary if you weren t'expecting it. I ll'definitely make sure my work search records are extra detailed for that final week. Did you end up needing to file a new application afterward, and if so, was the process as improved as Owen mentioned with the February updates?
@Nick Kravitz This is super helpful! I m'dealing with the same situation right now and was worried about those system warnings you mentioned. Quick question - when you filed that final week, did it process and pay out normally like your regular weekly claims, or was there any delay? I m'just trying to plan my budget and want to know if I should expect any hiccups with the payment timing. Also really appreciate the tip about work search documentation - I ll'make sure everything is thorough for that last week!
Keisha Williams
This thread is incredibly helpful! I've been dealing with the same nightmare for the past 3 weeks. My claim got flagged with an "open issue" and like everyone else, I've been getting nothing but busy signals on that main 888 number. It's beyond frustrating when you're already stressed about finances and then can't even get basic help from the system that's supposed to support you. I'm definitely going to try some of these strategies tomorrow - especially the local service center number approach since multiple people have had success with that. I found my county's direct line and I'm setting my alarm for 7:45am to start calling. I also never thought about the ID.me thing - going to check that separately tonight to make sure there aren't any hidden steps I missed. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and actual solutions instead of just complaining (though the complaining is totally valid!). It's really encouraging to see that people ARE getting through and getting their issues resolved. This community has been more helpful than the actual UC website!
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Miguel Harvey
•You're so right about this community being more helpful than the actual UC website! I just wanted to add one more tip that worked for me - if you do get through to someone but they can't fully resolve your issue on that call, ask them to put detailed notes in your file about what was discussed and what still needs to be done. That way if you have to call back, the next rep can see exactly where things stand instead of starting from scratch. Also, get the rep's name and direct extension if possible. Some of them will actually let you call them back directly if you need follow-up! Good luck with your early morning calling session tomorrow - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!
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Liam Brown
Reading through all these experiences really hits home - I've been in the exact same boat for the past 2.5 weeks! My claim got stuck with an "open issue" and I was starting to think I was losing my mind with all the busy signals. But seeing so many people actually get through using the local service center numbers gives me real hope. I just spent the last hour going through my dashboard with a fine-tooth comb and found my county's direct number. Planning to start calling at 7:50am sharp tomorrow. Also going to double-check my ID.me account separately like a few people suggested - never occurred to me that there might be steps not showing through the UC portal. It's honestly both frustrating and comforting to know I'm not the only one dealing with this broken system. The fact that we have to become experts at gaming a phone system just to access benefits we're entitled to is ridiculous. But this thread has been more helpful than anything I've found on the actual PA UC website. Thanks to everyone sharing real solutions and success stories - it's keeping me motivated to keep fighting through this mess!
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Fatima Al-Mansour
•I'm in the exact same situation as you! Been trying for almost 3 weeks now and getting nowhere with that main number. Your plan sounds solid - I'm also going to try the early morning approach with my local service center number. One thing I learned from reading through all these comments is to have all your documentation ready before you call - separation papers, ID, anything related to your claim. That way if you do get through, you can get everything resolved in one call instead of having to call back. Really hoping we both have success tomorrow! This thread has been a lifesaver for actual practical advice.
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