So glad you got through and got some answers! This gives me hope for my own situation. I'm dealing with a similar employer dispute on my transitional claim - they keep fighting even though I won my regular UC case against them. The fact that your rep could escalate it instead of making you go through another full hearing is really encouraging. Definitely going to try Claimyr if I can't get through the regular way. Thanks for sharing your experience and keeping us updated!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm dealing with something similar where my former employer keeps disputing even after losing multiple times before. It's so frustrating that they can keep challenging every new type of claim. Reading about your success with getting the supervisor escalation instead of another hearing gives me hope. I've been getting nowhere with the regular phone lines - might have to try that Claimyr service too. The 6x WBA thing seems like such a pointless hurdle when your wages clearly qualify. Glad you finally got some resolution!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works in HR - please don't stress too much about your employer's reaction when they get notified about your UC claim. While yes, they will be contacted to verify your employment and hours reduction, this is completely routine and happens thousands of times per day across Pennsylvania. Any employer who retaliates against an employee for filing a legitimate UC claim is actually breaking the law. I've processed dozens of these notifications over the years and honestly, most managers barely even notice them because hour reductions and partial UC claims are so common, especially in retail and food service. Your employer already made the business decision to cut your hours - they can't be surprised that you need to supplement your income as a result. Focus on getting your application in and don't let worry about their reaction delay you from getting the financial help you need and deserve. The system exists specifically for situations like yours!

I'm in Pennsylvania too and just wanted to add that you should file your weekly certifications on the same day each week if possible - I usually do mine on Sunday evenings. The system can get really slow on Mondays when everyone is trying to file at once. Also, make sure you have a reliable internet connection when you're doing the initial application because if it times out halfway through, you'll lose everything and have to start over (learned this the hard way!). One more thing - if you get approved, your weekly benefit amount will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by anything you earn over a small threshold (I think it's around $60 in PA), so don't expect to get your full benefit amount every week while you're still working those 25 hours. But even a partial payment can make a huge difference when you're struggling to pay bills. Good luck with your application tonight!

Any update on your situation? Did you file the waiver yet?

Glad to see you're taking action! I went through something similar a few years ago and the key thing that helped me was getting everything documented properly. Since you mentioned it's about freelance work reporting, make sure you have copies of ALL your 1099s, bank deposits, and any correspondence you had with UC about reporting that income. Sometimes they have the dates wrong or misinterpret when the income was actually earned vs when it was reported. The non-fault classification is huge - that means they're acknowledging you weren't trying to deceive them. With non-fault overpayments, they're much more likely to approve waivers, especially if you can show genuine financial hardship. One thing I learned is to keep detailed records of every phone call, form submission, and letter. Get confirmation numbers for everything. The $25/month payment plan was smart - shows good faith while protecting you from garnishment. Best of luck with the waiver process!

Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else going through this - I was approved in December and made the same mistake of not filing weekly certifications during the review period. Lost about 3 weeks of payments because of it. One thing that helped me was setting up text alerts through the UC system to remind me of my filing deadlines. You can do this in your account settings under "Notifications." Also, if you're worried about rent/bills while waiting for payments, some local assistance programs can help bridge the gap - try contacting 211 for resources in your area. The whole system is frustrating but you'll get through it! Keep detailed records of everything - screenshots, confirmation numbers, dates you called, etc. It really helps if you need to escalate issues later.

For future reference, you can also check if your local library has free computer/internet access and staff who can help navigate the UC website if you're having technical issues at home. Many libraries also have job search resources and can help with resume building, which counts toward your work search requirements. I learned this the hard way when my laptop crashed right before a filing deadline - the librarian actually knew quite a bit about the UC system and helped me get my certification submitted on time. Also, if you're getting different information from UC reps (which seems super common based on these comments), ask to speak with a supervisor or request that they document the guidance in your file. Sometimes the inconsistency comes from newer reps who aren't fully trained, so escalating can help you get more accurate information.

Just wanted to share another option that worked for me when I was stuck in a similar situation - try calling the main line (888-313-7284) using Google Voice or Skype instead of your regular phone. I'm not sure why, but I seemed to get through more often when calling through internet-based services. Maybe it routes differently through their system? Also, if you're still having trouble after trying all these great suggestions, consider reaching out to your local legal aid office. Some of them have special programs to help people navigate UC issues and they might be able to make calls on your behalf or escalate your case. Pennsylvania Legal Aid has a hotline at 1-877-953-4250 that might be worth trying. The whole situation is incredibly frustrating but this thread shows there are definitely ways to eventually get through. Keep us posted on what ends up working for you!

One more tip that saved me when I was dealing with benefit year renewal issues - try calling the main line right at 4:00 PM on Fridays. I know it sounds weird since most people avoid calling on Fridays, but I think that's exactly why it works! The call volume seems way lower in the late afternoon on Friday, and I've gotten through twice using this timing. Also, if you do get the callback queue option, make sure to answer ANY call that comes in for the next few hours - they sometimes call from random numbers that don't show up as "PA UC" or anything obvious. I almost missed my callback because it came from a 717 area code number I didn't recognize. The agent told me they have multiple outbound lines so the caller ID varies. Hope this helps and good luck getting your issue resolved!