Thank you all for the incredibly helpful information! I called the Military Claims Unit number this morning and actually got through after about an hour on hold. The specialist I spoke with was very knowledgeable and explained that this happens frequently with military claims. She's correcting my employer information and reprocessing my claim. She said to expect about 2-3 weeks for everything to be fixed, but that I will receive backdated payments once approved. For anyone else facing this issue - definitely call the Military Claims Unit directly at 866-638-2606 and have your DD-214 ready. The regular UC reps just don't have the training or system access to handle military claims properly.

Glad to hear you got through to the Military Claims Unit! That's exactly the right path. For other veterans reading this who might face similar issues - I went through this same nightmare last year after my Marine Corps discharge. A few additional tips that helped me: 1. Keep detailed records of every call (date, time, rep name/ID, what was discussed) 2. Screenshot your claim status page daily in case they make changes 3. If you haven't already, join the Pennsylvania Veterans Facebook groups - they're super helpful for navigating UC issues 4. Don't panic if your claim status shows weird things during the correction process - mine showed "ineligible" for like 10 days while they were fixing the employer info The military unit really does know what they're doing, unlike the general reps. Stick with them and you'll get this resolved. Thank you for your service, and hang in there!

wait did u file for partial benifits during ur vacation week? cuz tha might b whats messin things up. they mite think u were still attached to ur job

Based on your situation, this is actually a common issue with the PA UC system when there are multiple status changes in a short period. It's called a "broken claim series" in their terminology. Here's what you need to know: 1. The system struggles with rapid transitions between full unemployment, partial employment, and back to unemployment 2. When you reopened your claim, it created a new biweekly filing schedule starting from that point forward, essentially "orphaning" the previous week 3. PA UC representatives can manually add this week back into your filing schedule, but only if you speak with them directly 4. Your eligibility for that week remains intact as long as you met all requirements (available for work, conducting work search, etc.) 5. There is a 6-week window to file for any missed weeks from the Sunday of the week in question Your best course of action is definitely to speak with a representative as soon as possible, as you're approaching the end of that window for the July 15th week.

To directly answer your original question: The best day to file is the first day after your employment ends. Since your last day is Thursday, file on Friday. However, based on the additional details you've shared, it appears you're a classroom aide with potential reasonable assurance of returning in the fall. Here's what I recommend: 1. File your initial claim on Friday after your last day 2. Answer all questions truthfully, especially about your employment status and return expectations 3. If asked if you have reasonable assurance of returning, be honest about what you've been told 4. Make note of any potential changes to your position (reduced hours, etc.) for the next school year The system will evaluate your claim based on PA's specific rules for educational employees. If you're denied, you'll receive a determination letter explaining why and you'll have appeal rights if you disagree. Regardless of the outcome, filing on Friday after your last day is still the best timing.

Just wanted to add that timing can also matter for your first payment if you do qualify. PA UC has a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so the sooner you file after your last day, the sooner that waiting week begins. Also, make sure you have all your employment information ready - employer name, address, dates of employment, and your gross wages for the past 18 months. Having everything organized will make the application process much smoother. Good luck with your claim!

UPDATE: Money finally arrived on my ReliaCard this morning! Everything people said here was right - it just took a few extra days for the first payment to process. Thanks everyone for your help and sorry for panicking. For anyone else in this situation: yes, the blue card is definitely the right one for PA UC benefits, and yes, the first payment might take longer than they tell you.

Congrats on getting your money! Just wanted to add for future readers that you can also check your payment status on the PA UC dashboard before calling - sometimes it shows "issued" but takes 1-2 extra days to actually hit the ReliaCard. The Money Network app also sends push notifications when deposits arrive, which is super helpful for tracking. Glad this community could help you figure it out!

To follow up on your question about being able to do desk work: This potentially could make you eligible for UC benefits, but there are specific requirements: 1. Your employer must be unable to accommodate your medical restrictions 2. You must be actively seeking work within those restrictions 3. You must be able to accept suitable work if offered The key here is that you'd need to be actively job searching for positions that fit your current medical restrictions. Keep in mind that this can be complicated to navigate, and your eligibility would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

I went through something very similar when I was pregnant with my second child in 2022. My doctor restricted me from my retail job due to complications, but said I could do sedentary work. Here's what I learned: You may actually qualify for UC benefits since your doctor cleared you for desk work and your employer can't accommodate. The key is being "able and available" for suitable work within your restrictions. When you file, make sure to: 1. Get a detailed letter from your doctor specifying what work you CAN do 2. Document that your employer cannot provide accommodation 3. Be prepared to actively search for jobs within your restrictions 4. Keep records of your job search activities I was initially denied but appealed with proper documentation and won. The process took about 6 weeks total. Also check if you qualify for WIC and SNAP benefits during this time - they can help with basic needs while you're waiting. Don't give up! The system is confusing but there are options available.