my cousin got disqualifed back in 2023 and it took him 2 months just to get a hearing. then he ended up winning but it was so stressful. make sure u have all ur paperwork ready when u finally get the hearing date!!!!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Got disqualified 2 weeks ago for "voluntary quit" even though I was clearly laid off due to budget cuts. Still haven't received my determination letter either. Reading all these responses is both helpful and terrifying - sounds like we're in for months of stress. I already filed my appeal online yesterday just to be safe, and I've been keeping up with my weekly claims. The whole system seems designed to exhaust people into giving up. Stay strong and don't let them wear you down! We've got to keep fighting for what we're entitled to.

I was wondering the same thing last month when I got laid off. My claim was approved in 12 days which seemed fast compared to my friend who quit her job. Just make sure you have your final pay stub ready when you file because they asked me questions about it. Also don't forget you need to do the work search every week now. Not like during COVID when they waived that requirement.

Update: My claim was just approved! Only took 8 days from when I filed. Thanks everyone for the advice and guidance. For anyone else in the same situation, the layoff designation definitely seems to speed things up. Now I just need to keep up with the weekly work search requirements!

One more thing - make sure you're checking your dashboard regularly for any notices about "open issues" that could delay payment. Sometimes they need additional information even if your financial determination looks good. The UC system isn't great about notifying you when there's a problem.

Just wanted to add that you should also keep records of your layoff documentation (like your termination letter or notice) in case PA UC requests it later during the review process. Sometimes they do random audits or your former employer might contest the claim. Having that paperwork ready can save you a lot of headaches if any questions come up about your separation reason. The financial determination is just the beginning - the real test is when they verify everything with your employers.

Just want to add for anyone else reading this - when selecting the separation reason, construction workers should look for "Temporary layoff" or "Lack of work" rather than "Laid off" or "Quit." The system treats these differently and it can really affect your claim processing time. Also, if you're union, definitely reach out to your rep - they deal with seasonal UC claims all the time and know exactly what to select. Better to get it right the first time than deal with the phone system later!

I work for a PA workforce development agency and see this issue constantly with construction workers. A few additional tips: 1) If you're filing in winter, PA actually has specific guidance for seasonal construction workers - look for "seasonal unemployment" on their website. 2) When you do get through to fix it, ask the agent to add a note to your file explaining it was seasonal construction work, this can prevent future delays if you need to file again next winter. 3) The wait times are typically worst Monday mornings and after holidays, try calling Tuesday-Thursday mid-morning for better luck. Hope this helps future filers avoid the same headache!

One more thing about your UC claim - make sure you answer the weekly certification questions correctly. If you make a mistake it can delay payments. The question about being "able and available for work" means physically able to work and available (not on vacation). Also, report ANY earnings during the week you earned them, not when you get paid. These are common mistakes that cause payment delays.

Hey Aisha, I'm really sorry you're going through this - I know how scary it is to lose your job and insurance at the same time. I went through something similar last fall and wanted to share what worked for me. First, definitely apply for Medicaid online like Carmen suggested - don't trust what they tell you over the phone. The income calculation is more complex than they make it sound, and they look at your projected annual income, not just that one final paycheck. For your medications, while you're waiting for coverage to kick in, check if your doctor has any samples or if the manufacturer has a savings program. My doctor gave me a 30-day supply of samples when I explained my situation, which bought me time to get my new insurance sorted out. Also, some pharmacies (like Walmart and Costco) have really cheap generic programs - like $4 for a 30-day supply of common medications. Might be worth asking your pharmacist if your meds are available as generics on one of those programs. The healthcare.gov Special Enrollment Period is definitely your backup if Medicaid doesn't work out. You have 60 days from losing coverage to enroll, so don't panic about timing. You've got this! It feels overwhelming now but there are options. Keep us posted on how it goes!