I went through almost the exact same situation last year! Filed for 7 weeks with no payments and was getting super stressed about bills. Like others mentioned, there was definitely an open issue I didn't know about - in my case it was wage verification from a previous employer who had closed down. The key thing is to not give up calling. I know it's frustrating but once you get through to an actual person, they can usually resolve things pretty quickly. Also, make sure you keep filing your weekly claims even while waiting for the issue to be resolved, because you won't get back pay for weeks you didn't file. Sounds like you're on the right track now that you know what the issue is. Good luck with your determination interview!

I'm going through something similar right now - been waiting 6 weeks with no payments and just found out there's an "open issue" on my claim too. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful! It's crazy how common this seems to be. @Annabel Kimball I'm really glad you finally got through and found out what was holding up your claim. Employer contests are frustrating but at least now you know what you're dealing with. For anyone else in this situation, I'd definitely recommend checking for those open issues in your dashboard like everyone mentioned - I completely missed mine at first too. The system really doesn't make it obvious when there's a problem. Keep us updated on how your determination interview goes!

Thanks for sharing the follow-up @Zara Ahmed! This is really helpful for anyone else going through the same transition. It sounds like having both options worked out well in the end. For future readers - it's good to know that even if you set up direct deposit, PA still sends the Money Network card automatically, so you're not stuck waiting if there are any issues with the bank transfer. The 6-day timeline for card delivery seems pretty consistent with what others have reported too.

Just went through this exact transition last month! Can confirm PA automatically sends the Money Network card when your new claim is approved - mine took exactly 7 business days to arrive. One tip that saved me: while waiting for the card, I called Money Network customer service directly (not PA UC) and they were able to give me the card number and security info over the phone once it shipped, so I could add it to my digital wallet and start using it for purchases before the physical card arrived. Might be worth trying if you're in a time crunch with bills!

Great news! This is actually a common issue that many people encounter - old claims creating problems with new ones. Glad you got it resolved. Make sure to print out or screenshot the determination letter when you get it for your records. PA UC sometimes has system glitches where documents disappear from your dashboard.

Wow, what a relief that you finally got through and resolved it! That's exactly why I always recommend people keep trying different approaches when the regular phone lines aren't working. The old claim issue is definitely something PA UC should flag better in their system - so many people get stuck on that without realizing it. Congrats on getting it sorted out, and hopefully your determination letter comes through quickly as promised. This whole thread will probably help other people who are dealing with similar delays!

I'm dealing with the exact same issue right now! Filed my last claim during COVID in 2021 and now the system is completely stuck at the SSN screen. It's been 4 days of trying and I'm starting to panic about my rent payment. One thing I discovered is that you can also try reaching out through the PA CareerLink offices - they sometimes have direct lines to UC staff that bypass the main phone system. The office locator is on the PA.gov website. I'm planning to visit mine tomorrow morning since calling hasn't worked at all. Also, does anyone know if there's a specific time during the week when the phone lines are less busy? I've been trying random times throughout the day but maybe there's a pattern to when you're more likely to get through? This whole situation is so stressful when you're already dealing with job loss. Hoping we can all get this resolved soon! 🤞

I'm having this EXACT same problem! Filed for COVID unemployment in 2020 and now the system completely freezes when I enter my SSN for a new claim. Been trying for over a week with no success. Based on what everyone's saying here, it definitely sounds like a database issue with old COVID claims. I'm going to try the CareerLink office approach - there's one about 45 minutes from me but it might be worth the drive if I can actually talk to someone in person. Has anyone had success with the early morning calling strategy? I've been calling randomly throughout the day but maybe timing matters. I'm also going to start documenting everything like @Sarah Ali suggested - screenshots, call attempts, dates, etc. in case I need to prove I've been trying to file since my layoff date. This is so frustrating when you're already stressed about losing your job. At least it's reassuring to know this is a known technical issue and not something I'm doing wrong! Hopefully PA gets their system sorted out soon.

I've been following this thread and wanted to share something that might help - have you looked into gig work as a bridge while you continue your job search? Apps like Instacart, DoorDash, or even TaskRabbit can provide some immediate income that won't interfere with your UC benefits if you stay under the earnings threshold mentioned by @Sofia Peña. Also, many people don't know that PA has a "Short-Time Compensation" program where if you find part-time work with an employer who participates, you can still collect partial benefits. It's worth asking potential part-time employers if they participate in this program. One more thing - check with your local library for free resume review services and computer/internet access for job searching if you need it. Many libraries also host job fairs and career workshops. You're clearly doing everything right, so don't lose hope. Sometimes it just takes that one right opportunity at the right time.

I went through almost the exact same situation about 6 months ago - down to my last 2 weeks of UC benefits and absolutely panicking about rent. Here's what ended up working for me: 1. Applied for SNAP benefits immediately (like @Libby Hassan suggested) - it took about 2 weeks to get approved but having food covered was huge relief 2. Got on a payment plan with my landlord BEFORE missing rent - most are surprisingly understanding if you're proactive 3. Found temp work through three different agencies simultaneously - this was key because it gave me multiple income streams while keeping me under the UC partial benefit threshold The temp work wasn't glamorous (data entry, filing, reception coverage), but it kept me afloat for 3 months until I landed my current permanent position. One of those temp assignments actually led to my permanent job offer. Also, if you haven't already, call 211 from any phone - it's a free service that connects you to local assistance programs you might not know about. They helped me find emergency utility assistance and a local food bank. You're going to get through this. I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but you're being proactive and that's going to make all the difference.