somethin else to consider- if u get that extra $30/week for ur 2 kids, that's like $1500 extra per year if ur on UC the whole year. might be worth thinkin about if switchin who claims the kids on taxes makes sense money-wise with ur ex

Just wanted to add my experience since I went through something similar last year. I was receiving the dependent allowance for my daughter on PA UC while my ex claimed her on taxes per our custody agreement. When I filed my 2024 return this year, there were absolutely no issues or conflicts between the two systems. The IRS doesn't ask about or verify UC dependent allowances when you file your taxes. I was initially paranoid about it too, but it turned out to be a non-issue. As long as you're being honest about your support obligations when you applied for UC benefits, you're in the clear!

UPDATE: Mobile trick worked!! After trying my phone like @profile3 suggested, I was able to get through the IDme verification and complete my weekly claim filing. The page loaded much faster on my phone for some reason. Thanks everyone for your help!

Literally just had this same problem but with my benefit year ending renewal. The IDme verification was stuck spinning for over an hour this morning. I got so stressed because my last payment is this week and if I don't get the new benefit year approved I'll have no income. This system is so broken it's ridiculous.

UPDATE: First check finally arrived today (Friday)! So that was 4 business days from when they said they mailed it. Still waiting on the second one that was supposedly mailed Tuesday. Going to call on Monday to switch to that ReliaCard option - this is too stressful to deal with every week. Thanks everyone for your help and for sharing your experiences!

So glad your first check finally showed up! 4 business days isn't too bad considering all the horror stories. Definitely get that ReliaCard set up ASAP - I made the switch last year after dealing with similar delays and it's been a game changer. You'll get your money so much faster and won't have to stress about mail delivery anymore. Hope your second check comes through soon too!

I'm in the exact same boat! My payment was also processed Friday and I've been checking my mailbox religiously since Monday. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and concerning at the same time - sounds like it could be anywhere from a few more days to potentially weeks depending on how things go. I'm definitely going to look into the Money Network card option that everyone's mentioning. This is my first time dealing with PA UC paper checks and the uncertainty is killing me when I have rent and other bills coming up. At least with direct deposit to a regular bank or the prepaid card, you know exactly when your money will be available instead of playing this waiting game with USPS. Thanks to everyone sharing their timelines - it's helpful to know what to expect even if the range is pretty wide. I'll also check out that USPS Informed Delivery service someone mentioned so I can at least know if it's coming on a given day without having to check my mailbox 5 times!

I've been getting PA UC paper checks for the past few months and the timing is really inconsistent unfortunately. Sometimes they arrive in 3-4 days, other times it's been over a week. The frustrating part is there's no real way to track them once they're "sent" from the system. Definitely recommend switching to the Money Network card like others have suggested - I finally made the switch last month and it's so much better. The funds are available same day when your claim processes instead of this anxiety-inducing wait for the mail. You can request it through your UC dashboard under payment methods. For now though, since it was sent Friday, I'd give it until at least Thursday before getting too worried. The weekend definitely delays the actual processing/printing even though the system shows it as "sent" on Friday. Hang in there!

One thing nobody mentioned yet - when you file your claim online, save or print EVERY screen. The PA UC website is notorious for glitches where your information disappears. Also, after you file, you'll need to register with PA CareerLink and do your weekly work search activities (apply to at least 2 jobs each week). They're really strict about that part.

I want to add something important that might help your case - make sure you keep detailed records of any medical documentation related to your back and knee problems. If you have doctor's notes, physical therapy records, or any written communication with your employer about needing accommodations, gather all of that together. The fact that you were trying to work around your physical limitations with reasonable solutions (like the stool) shows you were making good faith efforts to do your job effectively. Also, when you describe the situation to UC, focus on the facts: you have documented physical limitations, you attempted reasonable self-accommodation, your employer denied this accommodation citing safety concerns, and then you were terminated shortly after with vague complaints about "attitude" that specifically targeted older employees. This creates a clear timeline that supports your case. One more thing - if you have any coworkers who witnessed the comments about "older cashiers" or saw you trying to accommodate your physical needs, ask if they'd be willing to provide statements. Witness testimony can be very valuable in both UC determinations and potential discrimination cases.