I just went through this same nightmare last month! What worked for me was actually doing a full browser reset - not just clearing cache but completely resetting Chrome to default settings. Also, make sure you're not using any VPN services as IDme flags those as suspicious. One thing that nobody mentions is that if you have multiple IDme accounts (maybe from other government services), you need to use the EXACT same one you used before or it will create conflicts. The PA UC system doesn't handle multiple IDme accounts well at all. If all else fails, the UCIDME@pa.gov email that @Liam Mendez mentioned is legit - they helped me when I was completely stuck.

I just went through this exact same issue two weeks ago! The IDme verification has been super glitchy lately. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: first, I went directly to id.me and made sure my account was fully verified there (including uploading a photo of my driver's license). Then I used Chrome in private/incognito mode, disabled all extensions, and tried accessing the PA UC site around 6am when there's less traffic. The key was doing the IDme verification separately first - once that was complete, the PA UC integration worked immediately. Also make sure you're using the same email address for both your PA UC account and your IDme account, as mismatches can cause the endless loading screen. Hope this helps!

One more thing to consider: if your current unemployment is with the same employer as when you received PUA, that might complicate things. But if it's a different employer, your case for waiver is stronger since it's a completely different claim. Also, make sure you're accurately reporting any part-time/gig work on your new claim to avoid creating another overpayment situation.

I went through something similar last year and want to echo what others have said - definitely file for regular UC right away, don't let the overpayment stop you. In my case, they approved my regular claim but did set up automatic deductions of about 33% from each payment to pay back the PUA overpayment. The key thing that helped me was requesting a hardship waiver immediately after filing. I had to show that the deductions would prevent me from paying for basic necessities like rent and food. It took about 2 months to get approved, but once they did, they stopped the deductions and even refunded what they had already taken. Also, since your overpayment notice just came last week, you still have time to appeal if you think it was issued in error. You have 15 days from the date on the notice. Even if you're not sure you'll win the appeal, filing it can sometimes buy you time while they review your case. Hang in there - the system is frustrating but there are options available to help with situations like this!

One more thing to try: check if your claim is being processed under regular UC or if it might have been routed to the Shared Work program (if your employer participated in partial layoffs). Sometimes claims get misdirected in the system when large layoffs happen. Also, make sure you've set up your payment method (direct deposit or debit card) correctly in the system. Sometimes claims appear as "processing" when actually they're approved but there's a payment method issue. January is historically the slowest month for claim processing due to holiday backlogs and seasonal claim increases. If your separation reason is clearly "lack of work" due to layoff, your claim should eventually be approved without issues once they process it.

I'm going through the exact same nightmare right now! Filed in late December after being laid off and still stuck in "processing" hell. I've tried calling every single day, multiple times a day, and it's like they've designed the phone system to be impossible. The automated system just hangs up on you after making you jump through all the hoops. I'm definitely going to try some of these suggestions - especially contacting my state rep and checking out that Claimyr service. At this point I'm willing to try anything because my savings are almost gone and my landlord isn't going to wait much longer. It's so frustrating that we pay into this system our whole working lives and then when we actually need it, we can't even get through to find out what's wrong! Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least I know I'm not alone in this mess. The PA UC system really needs a complete overhaul.

One more tip: Since your claim history is a bit complex (partial benefit year from January, multiple employers since then), I strongly recommend applying online first, then immediately trying to speak with a representative by phone. The online system isn't great at handling complicated situations like yours, and you don't want delays because the system got confused. A live rep can review everything and make notes on your file to help prevent issues. Make sure you have all employment dates, contact information, and separation reasons for each job ready when you apply. Good luck!

Hey Connor, I went through something really similar last year - got fired from a sales job for not hitting targets and was terrified my employer would block my claim. They made all the same threats yours is making! But here's the thing - I got approved anyway because PA UC looks at whether you were willfully doing something wrong, not just whether you were good enough at the job. The key is being completely honest on your application. Don't say you quit or anything like that - just state you were terminated for not meeting sales quotas despite your efforts. Keep any documentation showing you were trying (emails about your progress, training records, etc.). Your employer will probably contest it, but that's normal and doesn't mean you'll lose. You'll get a chance to tell your side of the story. The fact that you've only been there 3 months actually might work in your favor - shows you didn't have much time to learn the role. Definitely apply as soon as you're terminated. Don't let their intimidation tactics scare you out of benefits you may be entitled to!

One more important thing: make sure to enter the correct employment type when filing. Since you mentioned this is a regular job (not self-employment or contract work), select "Regular Employment" when prompted. If you worked any partial days, count those hours accurately. Keep documentation of your hours and earnings for at least a year. PA UC sometimes conducts random audits months later, and having records of your final weeks will protect you. Many people forget this step and face problems later. Congratulations again on the new position!

Just want to add - when you're entering your hours, make sure you're counting ONLY the hours you actually worked, not including unpaid lunch breaks. So if you worked 8 hours with a 30-minute unpaid lunch, report 7.5 hours for that day. PA is really strict about this distinction. Also, if your employer pays you biweekly and you haven't received your first paycheck yet, you can calculate your gross earnings by multiplying your hourly rate by total hours worked. The system accepts calculated earnings as long as they're accurate. Good luck with your filing on Sunday!