Just wanted to share my experience from when I went through this same situation about 8 months ago. I was in week 24 of my benefits and panicking about what would happen when they ran out. I spent hours researching extensions and calling the UC office (which was a nightmare). What I learned is that you really do need to plan for just the 26 weeks. I ended up having to take a temporary job that wasn't ideal, but it helped bridge the gap while I continued looking for something better in my field. It actually worked out because that temp job led to a permanent position that I'm happy with now. My advice would be to start applying for anything that could work as a bridge job - even if it's not perfect. Part-time work, temporary positions, gig work, whatever keeps some income coming in. You can always keep looking for your ideal job while you're working. The stress of potentially having no income made it much harder for me to interview well, so having some kind of backup plan really helped with my mental state during the job search.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now - week 22 of benefits and starting to really worry about what happens next. Reading through everyone's responses has been really eye-opening, especially learning that the Extended Benefits program has such specific requirements that aren't currently being met in PA. I think I've been holding onto false hope about extensions based on what I remembered from the pandemic era. It's tough to accept that those 26 weeks are really it, but I'd rather plan realistically than be caught off guard. The suggestion about PA CareerLink services sounds promising - I hadn't realized they offered free resume help and training programs. I'm also going to take the advice about considering bridge jobs seriously. I've been so focused on finding something in my exact field that I might be limiting myself unnecessarily. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge. It's stressful not knowing what to expect, but at least now I can make informed decisions about my next steps.

I'm dealing with a similar wage protest situation right now - my employer underreported my overtime hours by about $2,800. It's been 5 weeks and I'm getting really anxious about the delay. Reading through all these responses is both helpful and terrifying! The fact that some people waited 3+ months is just insane. I'm definitely going to try that Inquiry Form suggestion and maybe look into the Claimyr service if I can't get through by phone soon. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - at least now I know I'm not alone in this mess!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My previous employer didn't report about $4,500 in bonuses I received last quarter, so my weekly benefit is way too low. I filed my wage protest 7 weeks ago and still nothing. It's so frustrating because I know I'm entitled to more money but the system is just broken. I've been trying to call every single day but like everyone else said, I just get disconnected after being on hold forever. I'm definitely going to try that Inquiry Form through the dashboard that someone mentioned, and maybe look into the Claimyr service too. This whole process is making an already stressful situation so much worse. At least reading everyone's experiences here makes me feel less alone in dealing with this nightmare!

One important thing nobody mentioned: keep detailed records of your work hours, pay stubs, and any communication from your employer about the temporary nature of the work. If your claim gets flagged for review (which sometimes happens with partial work weeks), having this documentation ready will help resolve issues quickly. Also, Pennsylvania requires you to continue your work search activities even during weeks you work part-time, so don't forget to complete and log your required work search activities for that week as well.

Take the work! I was in almost the exact same situation last year - got called back for a 4-day project while on UC. I was terrified it would mess everything up but it was totally fine. Just make sure when you file that week you answer YES to working, put in your exact hours and gross pay, and the system calculates everything for you. I ended up getting a partial benefit that week since my earnings weren't super high, then went right back to normal filing the next week. Your claim stays open the whole time - no reapplying or waiting periods. The extra money from that week of work plus the partial benefit actually helped me a lot financially. Just keep all your pay stubs and documentation in case they ever ask for it later!

Just to clarify about PA UC requirements: You need to complete 6 work search activities each week, but only 1 of those needs to be a job application. The other 5 can be activities like revising your resume, attending job fairs, networking events, or taking job skills workshops. Many CareerLink offices offer free workshops that count toward your activities. This gives you flexibility while you focus on quality applications rather than quantity. Make sure you're documenting all activities in case of an audit.

I had a similar experience when I was on UC last year - applied to dozens of jobs through CareerLink with minimal response. What finally worked for me was treating it as just one part of my job search strategy rather than relying on it completely. I started using CareerLink for my required applications but put most of my energy into networking and direct company outreach. One thing that helped was joining some local professional groups on Facebook and LinkedIn where people actually share job leads. Also, many companies post on their own websites before they get to CareerLink, so I started checking company career pages directly for places I wanted to work. The key is remembering that CareerLink is there to help you meet your UC requirements, but your real job search happens everywhere else. Don't let the frustration with the system discourage you - it sounds like you're doing everything right, just need to diversify your approach!

I received backpay in February for a similar situation and it took exactly 8 days to appear on my Money Network card after the determination letter date (which was a Friday, so maybe that extended it). Just to prepare you though - when I called to check my card balance after a week, the automated system said I had $0, but when I spoke to a human rep, they could see the payment was pending in their system. Sometimes there's a delay between when UC processes it and when it actually hits the card. As others have said, just keep checking your card balance, and if nothing shows up after a week, that's when you should start making calls.

Congratulations on finally getting your backpay approved! I went through something similar last year where my BYE expired before my wage correction came through. The good news is that PA UC will automatically deposit the backpay to your existing Money Network card - you don't need to file any additional weekly certifications or take any action on your part. In my case, it took about 5 business days for the money to show up after the determination letter date. One tip: if you have the Money Network app, enable push notifications so you'll get alerted the moment the deposit hits. Also, don't panic if the amount is slightly less than what's on your determination letter - they'll still withhold taxes and any other deductions you had selected during your original claim. Keep us posted on when it comes through! Fingers crossed it's quick and painless for you.