so did u get ur money yet? im curious cuz i just switched to direct deposit too and wondering if its faster than what everyone says

That's great news that it came through on Tuesday as expected! For anyone else reading this thread who might be in a similar situation - I've found that setting up text alerts with your bank can help you know the exact moment your deposit hits. Most banks offer free mobile alerts for deposits over a certain amount. It really helps with the anxiety of waiting for unemployment payments, especially when you have bills due!

One last thing to consider - there are two distinct credits that people often confuse: the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). While both require earned income, they have different rules. With your situation, you should definitely speak with a tax professional who can look at your specific numbers and help you maximize your eligible credits. Some free tax prep services like VITA might be available in your area if cost is a concern.

Just wanted to add that if you're looking for quick ways to earn that extra $400 to reach the $2,500 threshold, consider gig work like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Instacart. These platforms let you work flexible hours around your UC schedule, and the income counts as self-employment earnings. You'll get a 1099 at year-end which makes tax reporting straightforward. Just remember to track your expenses (gas, mileage, etc.) since you can deduct them as business expenses. And definitely report all earnings to PA UC when you file your weekly claims!

Interesting thread. I actually wrote an appeal letter last year for my husband when he got hit with a $5,300 overpayment notice from his 2020 claim. We won the appeal but never thought to ask about getting the remaining funds. Now I'm curious if we missed out on something! Btw @profile1 I used that Claimyr thing you mentioned when we were dealing with the appeal. It actually worked - got through to someone in like 15 minutes when we'd been trying for weeks.

I'm dealing with a similar overpayment situation right now and this thread has been really helpful! Just wanted to add that I called PA UC last week about my waiver status and the rep specifically told me that even if approved, expired benefit years can't be reopened - which matches what most people are saying here. The confusing part is that some reps seem to give different information, but the consensus seems to be that waiver approval = no repayment required, but doesn't restore access to unused benefits from years ago. @Ashley Simian at least you got that huge relief of not having to pay back $4,200! That's still a major win.

Thanks everyone for the helpful information. I guess I need to accept that the 26 weeks is all I'll get and plan accordingly. I'll focus more on my job search and maybe look into some training programs through CareerLink as suggested. Definitely disappointing, but at least now I know not to count on any extensions.

I'm in a similar situation and have been researching this extensively. Just wanted to add that even if Pennsylvania's unemployment rate does eventually trigger Extended Benefits, there's usually a waiting period before it takes effect. The state has to meet the threshold requirements for a certain number of consecutive weeks before EB kicks in. Also, if you're getting close to exhausting your benefits, make sure you're signed up for job alerts on multiple platforms - Indeed, LinkedIn, PA CareerLink, etc. I've found that casting a wider net has helped me get more interviews even in this tough market. The uncertainty about extensions makes it even more important to be aggressive with the job search. Good luck with everything - this whole process is stressful enough without having to worry about whether benefits will continue!

I received backpay in February for a similar situation and it took exactly 8 days to appear on my Money Network card after the determination letter date (which was a Friday, so maybe that extended it). Just to prepare you though - when I called to check my card balance after a week, the automated system said I had $0, but when I spoke to a human rep, they could see the payment was pending in their system. Sometimes there's a delay between when UC processes it and when it actually hits the card. As others have said, just keep checking your card balance, and if nothing shows up after a week, that's when you should start making calls.

Congratulations on finally getting your backpay approved! I went through something similar last year where my BYE expired before my wage correction came through. The good news is that PA UC will automatically deposit the backpay to your existing Money Network card - you don't need to file any additional weekly certifications or take any action on your part. In my case, it took about 5 business days for the money to show up after the determination letter date. One tip: if you have the Money Network app, enable push notifications so you'll get alerted the moment the deposit hits. Also, don't panic if the amount is slightly less than what's on your determination letter - they'll still withhold taxes and any other deductions you had selected during your original claim. Keep us posted on when it comes through! Fingers crossed it's quick and painless for you.