Hey Liam! I went through this exact same situation when I got RIF'd from the Department of Defense last year. A few things that helped me speed up the process: 1) Make sure you're logging into the PA UC portal regularly to check for any additional document requests - they don't always send email notifications, 2) If your claim shows "monetary determination pending" that usually means they're still verifying your federal wages, which is the longest part, 3) You can actually call your former agency's payroll office directly and ask them to expedite the wage verification to PA - some agencies are faster at responding than others. Also, since you mentioned bills coming due, consider applying for emergency assistance through 211 (dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you with local programs that help with utilities and rent while waiting for benefits. The waiting is brutal but hang in there!

Based on my experience helping other federal workers navigate PA UC, here are a few additional tips that might help speed things up: 1) If you haven't already, double-check that your Social Security Number matches exactly between your federal employment records and your UC application - any mismatch can cause delays, 2) Keep copies of all your federal pay stubs from the last 18 months handy in case PA UC requests them for wage verification, 3) If your claim gets stuck in "pending" status for more than 6 weeks, you can file an appeal which sometimes forces a review and speeds up processing. Also, since you mentioned being "stationed" in PA, make sure you filed in the correct state - if you're military or worked at a federal facility in multiple states recently, there might be interstate claim complications. The good news is that once federal claims get approved, the back payments usually come through pretty quickly (within a week). Hang in there!

Just wanted to add one more thing that might help - when you do get through to PA UC (whether through Claimyr or eventually on your own), ask them specifically about "good cause for leaving employment." PA has pretty clear guidelines about what constitutes good cause, and leaving one job for another that offers comparable wages is typically considered valid good cause, even if the hours are slightly less. This will be your strongest defense if your current employer does contest the claim. Also, make sure when you file your initial claim that you're very clear in your explanation that you left your previous job FOR other employment, not just to collect benefits later. The way you phrase things in that initial application can make a big difference in how they process your claim.

One thing to keep in mind is timing - you mentioned the new job starts in June and seasonal layoffs happen in winter. Make sure you understand exactly when that layoff period begins because PA UC has a waiting week requirement, and you'll want to file as soon as you're laid off to start the process. Also, during your winter layoff period, you'll need to maintain your job search requirements even though you know you'll likely return to the seasonal job in spring. PA UC will expect you to be genuinely seeking other work during the off-season, not just waiting for your seasonal job to restart. Keep records of your job search activities because they may audit this, especially if there's a contest from your former employer.

UPDATE: Just checked this morning and all my weeks changed to payment date of 3/14/25! The money should be in my account tomorrow. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!

Awesome update! So happy it worked out for you! 🎉 That's such a relief when you're stressed about money. For future reference, it sounds like the 3-5 business day timeline that Gabrielle mentioned was pretty accurate in your case. Hope this helps other folks going through the same situation know what to expect!

anyone know what happens if u cant go to ur scheduled meeting? my boss just told me i have to work that day and cant take off

Just wanted to chime in as someone who completed RESEA earlier this year - you're definitely in good shape! The 87% completion is totally normal at this stage. I was stressed about it too, but the in-person meeting was actually pretty straightforward. My advice: 1. Keep doing your regular job searches and document everything 2. Bring a folder with all your work search records organized by week 3. Have multiple copies of your resume (they might give you feedback) 4. Show up about 10 minutes early The staff I dealt with were pretty understanding - they know most people are nervous about it. Once you complete the meeting, you'll be 100% done with RESEA requirements. Your benefits should continue flowing normally as long as you keep filing your weekly claims. Good luck with your August 2nd meeting!

Here's a timeline based on recent High Authority appeal data: Week 1-2: Appeal validated and added to queue Weeks 3-8: Case waiting in queue Weeks 9-12: Case assigned to a Board member for review Weeks 13-16: Decision rendered This can vary depending on case complexity and current backlog. Be sure to check your dashboard regularly for status updates. If more than 4 months pass with no decision, you can contact your state representative's office - they have liaisons who can check on severely delayed cases.

I've been through this exact situation and want to share some hope - I successfully won my High Authority appeal after losing at the referee level! The key things that helped me: 1) I submitted a detailed written statement explaining exactly why the referee's decision was wrong, 2) I included ALL the documentation I should have brought originally (emails, pay stubs, company policies), and 3) I was very specific about the legal standards for my type of case. The Board really does look at these appeals fresh - they're not just rubber-stamping the referee decisions. My case took about 14 weeks total, but it was worth the wait. Don't let the overpayment notices stress you out too much during the process - focus on building the strongest possible case with documentation. You've got this!