For anyone having technical issues with the appeals system, I recommend using these exact steps: 1. Use Chrome browser in incognito mode 2. Clear all cookies and cache before starting 3. Don't use any autofill features 4. Keep your appeal text under 800 characters (even though it allows 1000) 5. Save your appeal text in a separate document before submitting 6. Try during off-peak hours (before 7am or after 9pm) 7. If you get an error, wait 15 minutes before trying again The system has limited capacity but does work if you're strategic about it.

I work as a paralegal and deal with UC appeals regularly. If the online system keeps failing, definitely use the backup methods others mentioned, but also consider hand-delivering your appeal to the UC office if you're near Harrisburg or one of their regional offices. They have to accept it and will give you a stamped receipt as proof. Also, when you do get through (whether online or by phone), make sure to specifically mention that you have screenshots proving you reported those hours - that's strong evidence in your favor. The appeals board takes documentation seriously, especially when there are system glitches involved. Good luck!

One more thing to try - check your PA Treasury account (not your UC account). Sometimes benefits get released but don't show up in the UC portal right away. It happened to my brother-in-law. His UC account showed open issues for weeks but the money was actually sitting in his Treasury account the whole time.

I'm going through something similar right now - 7 weeks waiting after my appeal hearing. The frustrating part is how they act like these delays are normal when people are literally running out of money to survive. I've found that keeping detailed records of every call helps a lot. Write down the date, time, who you spoke with, and exactly what they told you. When you call back and get someone different (which always happens), you can reference the previous conversation and it seems to get better results. Also, don't let them rush you off the phone - ask questions until you understand exactly what the next step is and when it should happen. Hang in there, it does eventually get resolved but the system is definitely broken.

IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE: Always take screenshots of your payments page showing the pay date!!!! I had a payment disappear from my portal once and they tried to tell me it never existed until I showed them the screenshot!!!!

So glad to see your update that the money finally came through! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - my portal shows a pay date from last Tuesday but still nothing on my card. Reading through all these responses is really helpful, especially knowing about the extra fraud review for larger amounts. I had no idea that was a thing! Going to give it a few more days before I start panicking, but it's reassuring to know this seems pretty normal with the PA system. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

My roommate had his payment date on a Thursday once but didn't get it until Monday because they don't process on weekends. So if your date is Friday it might be Tuesday before you see it.

Hey Dmitri! I totally understand your anxiety - I was in the exact same boat when I first started collecting. The good news is that since your payment shows 10/7 and today is 10/8, you should definitely see it hit your Money Network card tomorrow (10/9) morning. I've been collecting for about 6 months now and it's always been exactly 2 business days after the date shown in the portal. The system is actually pretty reliable once you understand the timing - just wish they'd explain it better upfront! Hang in there, your money is coming.

Update us when you hear back about your reconsideration request! It'll help other students in the same situation to know how it went.

I'm a social worker who helps clients navigate benefits appeals, and I wanted to add that you should also consider requesting an expedited review if you're experiencing food insecurity. PA has provisions for expediting SNAP reconsiderations when there's immediate hardship. When you call or visit your county office, specifically ask about expedited processing due to financial hardship - they can sometimes process these cases in 7-10 days instead of the full 30. Also, keep copies of everything you submit and get confirmation numbers. Document every phone call with dates and who you spoke with. This creates a paper trail that can be helpful if you need to escalate further. Good luck with your reconsideration!