Just went through this process myself! Filed my appeal in December for identity verification issues (even though I did the ID.me thing multiple times too - so frustrating!). Got my hearing scheduled exactly 6 weeks later, had the hearing last week, and won! Here's what I learned: 1. The retroactive payments go all the way back to your original filing date in January, not just from when you appealed 2. Keep doing those weekly certifications no matter what - this is crucial! 3. For the hearing, bring EVERYTHING identity-related you can find. I brought: driver's license, Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, utility bills, bank statements, tax returns, pay stubs from previous job, and even my voter registration card 4. The hearing itself was pretty straightforward - they just wanted to verify I was who I said I was My payments were released about 8 business days after the hearing decision. Hang in there - the wait is awful but if you have all your documentation ready, you should be fine. The identity verification denials seem to be getting overturned pretty regularly from what I've seen.

I'm going through something similar right now - filed my appeal about 3 weeks ago for the same identity verification issue. It's so frustrating because like you, I completed the ID.me process multiple times and even got confirmation emails! From what I've been reading here and elsewhere, it seems like these identity verification denials are pretty common but also frequently overturned on appeal. The retroactive payment thing is huge - knowing that you'll get paid back to your original filing date if you win makes the wait a bit more bearable. One thing I've started doing is keeping a detailed log of every step I took during the ID.me process, including screenshots and confirmation emails. I figure it can't hurt to have that extra documentation ready for the hearing. Also started gathering all my identity documents now so I'm not scrambling later. The waiting is the worst part though. Every day without income makes everything more stressful. Stay strong and keep filing those weekly claims!

Update: I just checked with a friend who works at the PA CareerLink office. She confirmed that you absolutely must include all W2 wages when filing for UC, including those from a union. The system will flag your claim if there's a mismatch between what you report and what's on file with the tax authorities. Better to be upfront than have to deal with an overpayment notice later!

Just wanted to add my experience as someone who went through this exact situation! I was with the Carpenters Union and got laid off from my construction job. Like you, I had a separate W2 from the union for some safety training they paid me for. I initially hesitated to include it because it seemed confusing, but after reading through all the responses here, I'm glad I did. The PA UC system really does cross-check everything, and it's way better to over-report than under-report. One tip: when you're entering the union wages, make sure you select the correct employer type in the dropdown menu. There should be an option for "labor union" or similar. This helps the system categorize it correctly and avoids any confusion during processing. Good luck with your claim! The whole process is stressful enough without having to worry about whether you filled something out wrong.

Just got off the phone with CHIME (waited 40 mins to talk to someone btw) and they said they haven't received ANY notification from PA Treasury for my account yet so now I'm really confused. How can some people get payments and others not?? Isnt that like illegal or something for the state to not pay everyone the same day?

I'm new here but dealing with the same Chime/UC payment anxiety! Just wanted to add that I've found it helpful to set up text alerts through my Chime app for deposits - at least then I know the moment it hits instead of constantly checking my balance. Also, for anyone still waiting, I've noticed that filing your weekly claim earlier in the week (like Sunday night) vs later (Monday evening) can sometimes affect which processing batch you end up in. Not guaranteed but might be worth trying if you're consistently getting paid later than you'd like.

To update on the timeline question: According to the PA UC office, TAD approvals are currently taking 10-14 business days on average. Once approved, it takes effect immediately. If you're close to exhausting your regular UC benefits, approved training may also qualify you for Training Extended Benefits (TEB), which provides up to 16 additional weeks of benefits while you complete your training program. Age discrimination is frustrating but focusing on in-demand skills like IT certifications can definitely help overcome those barriers.

Emma, I went through a similar situation at 55 when I was laid off from my accounting job. The age discrimination is real and frustrating, but I can confirm that the TAD program works! I did a cybersecurity bootcamp through CareerLink and kept my benefits the entire time. A few additional tips: 1) Ask your advisor about stackable credentials - you can often do multiple shorter certifications that build on each other, 2) Look into whether your program offers job placement assistance - mine had partnerships with local employers, and 3) Consider remote work opportunities in IT since they often focus more on skills than age. The transition was scary but worth it - I'm now working as a cybersecurity analyst and actually earning more than before. Don't let the bureaucracy discourage you from making this change!

I'd like to add that once your claim is approved, you should receive backpay for all eligible weeks you've certified for. Make sure you've been filing your weekly certifications even while waiting for approval. \n\nAlso, prepare documentation before calling:\n- Your Social Security number\n- Your PIN\n- Employment history details (last day worked, reason for separation)\n- Any correspondence reference numbers\n\nHaving this information ready will make the call more efficient and increase your chances of resolution during a single call.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed in early March and still stuck "under review" with zero explanation. It's so stressful not knowing what's wrong or how long it'll take. Reading through all these responses is really helpful though - sounds like getting through to an actual person is the key. I'm definitely going to try calling early morning this week and if that doesn't work, I'll look into that Claimyr service. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it helps to know we're not alone in this mess of a system!