This happens every January too cause of tax stuff.... my brother works for the state (not UC tho) and he says beginning of year they always have delays with payments across many departments... something about fiscal year adjustments or whatever

Just wanted to add my experience - I'm a newer claimant (started UC in December) and this was my first time dealing with a delay like this. The "not observed holiday" message really threw me off because I had no idea what it meant! Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences and explanations here. It's reassuring to know this is somewhat normal and not a sign that something went wrong with my claim. Definitely going to bookmark this thread for future reference if it happens again!

You can apply for SNAP, LIHEAP, and Medical Assistance right away - no need to wait until UC benefits end. In fact, it's better to apply early since processing can take a few weeks. Your UC income will be counted for eligibility purposes, but many people still qualify while receiving benefits, especially if you have dependents. For Career Link services, you can access those anytime - they're free for everyone regardless of UC status.

I'm in a similar situation - my benefits are ending next month and I've been panicking. Reading through all these responses has been really helpful. I had no idea about PA WorkWear or some of the other programs mentioned. Does anyone know if there are any local food banks or community organizations that might help bridge the gap between when UC ends and other assistance kicks in? I'm in the Pittsburgh area if that matters.

lol lets be real both optins suck but direct deposit sucks LESS... PA unemployment system is stuck in 1995 no matter how u get paid 🤣

Sorry to hear about the layoff right before the holidays - that's rough timing! I went through PA unemployment earlier this year and definitely recommend direct deposit. I made the mistake of choosing the Money Network card initially and regretted it almost immediately. The card took 12 days to arrive (they said 7-10 but it was longer), and when it finally came, I had issues using it at certain ATMs. Plus there are fees for basically everything - checking your balance, using out-of-network ATMs, even transferring money to your real bank account. I switched to direct deposit after my second payment and wished I had done it from the start. Just triple-check your routing and account numbers before submitting - I wrote them down from a check rather than trying to remember them. Good luck with everything!

Just a quick update that might help others - I just spoke with my tax preparer who said PA is experiencing significant delays this year, especially for returns filed in February. Apparently their system was updated in March and returns filed before that are taking longer to process. So it might not be related to your UC situation at all, just bad timing with when you filed.

I'm in a similar boat - filed electronically on February 12th and still showing "processing" for my PA state refund. I also had unemployment income on my return from a brief period last year. It's reassuring to hear that the system update in March might be causing delays for February filers rather than something specific to our UC situations. I've been hesitant to call since I know how backed up everything is, but maybe I'll try that 1-888-PATAXES number if I don't see movement in the next week or two. The waiting is definitely stressful when you're already dealing with UC claim issues on top of it!

There's a work search record form you can download from the PA UC website under the 'Forms' section. But any tracking method works as long as you have all the required details. And while approval times vary, most initial claims are processed within 2-4 weeks if there are no issues requiring investigation. Continue filing weekly claims during this time.

Just wanted to add - when you file your weekly claims, make sure you're being completely honest about any work you do or money you earn, even if it's just a few hours or small amounts. PA UC has ways to cross-check this information and getting caught being dishonest can result in penalties, overpayment demands, and even fraud charges. It's better to report everything accurately and let them calculate how it affects your benefits. Also, keep all your documentation organized from day one - pay stubs, job applications, correspondence with employers, etc. You never know when you might need to provide additional proof of something.