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After reading about your benefit year transition issue, I definitely recommend calling early in the week (Monday or Tuesday) and early in the morning right when they open. The claims overlap team that another user mentioned is usually less busy during those times. Also, prepare all your information before calling - your claim ID numbers for both claims, the exact dates of your benefit year end, and the dates of any pending payments. Having this ready will help them resolve it much faster once you do connect.
I've been through this exact scenario multiple times unfortunately. What really helped me was documenting everything - the time I called, how long I waited, the agent's name if they gave it, and exactly what happened. When I finally got through to someone who could help, having that timeline made them take my situation more seriously. Also, if you do get disconnected again "due to an emergency," ask for a reference number for your call before they hang up. Most agents can give you one quickly and it helps prove you actually connected when you call back. The system is definitely frustrating but don't give up!
Update: I FINALLY got through to someone this morning! For anyone with a similar problem - I called the alternative number (888-313-7284) at exactly 7:59am and selected option 1 then 3 for payment issues like someone suggested here. The agent explained that my claim was put on hold for recalculation because of my part-time work. She lifted the hold and I should be able to file again starting Sunday. She also said I'll be able to file for the missed week once the system updates (24-48 hours). My weekly benefit amount will be reduced based on my part-time earnings, but at least I'll get something. Thanks everyone for your help!
Great news! Make sure you keep track of the dates for any weeks you need to backdate claims for. And remember to keep doing your work search activities every week, even during weeks where filing is interrupted. Glad you got it resolved!
That's such great news that you got through and got it resolved! For anyone else dealing with this issue - I had a very similar experience last year. The key things I learned: 1) Always call right when they open at 8am, 2) The payment issues line really does have shorter wait times, and 3) Make sure to ask specifically about backdating any missed weeks when you talk to the agent. Also, once your claim is back to normal, they'll recalculate your weekly benefit based on your part-time earnings using a formula - basically they subtract your weekly earnings from your full benefit amount, so you'll still get partial benefits as long as you're not earning more than your full weekly benefit amount. Keep all your pay stubs because they might ask for them later to verify your reported earnings!
Does anyone know if winning an appeal means you automatically get paid? My account still says disqualified even though I got a letter saying I won my appeal 3 weeks ago. Do I need to do something else???
You should contact the UC service center. Sometimes there's a delay in updating the system after an appeal is won, but 3 weeks is excessive. Your payments won't process until your claim status is updated from disqualified to eligible. Make sure you've been filing your weekly claims during this period - you'll need to have those weeks claimed to receive payment once your eligibility is confirmed.
Wow, congrats on the quick decision and winning your appeal! I'm currently waiting for my appeal decision - it's been 11 days since my hearing and I'm checking the mail every day like a crazy person. My case was also pretty straightforward (employer incorrectly reported my separation reason) but my employer DID show up to the hearing, so maybe that's why mine is taking longer? Reading everyone's experiences here is both helpful and nerve-wracking at the same time. The inconsistency in timing is wild! Fingers crossed I hear something soon.
In Pennsylvania, you should definitely file your weekly claim as usual on Sunday and report the training hours you worked, even though you haven't received payment yet. PA unemployment requires you to report work when it's performed, not when you get paid. Here's what you need to do: - File your claim as normal on Sunday - Report that you worked (say "yes" when asked if you worked) - Report all 40 hours that you worked in training - Report the gross amount you expect to earn (before taxes) - Answer "no" if asked if you've returned to full-time work permanently For the week you report these earnings, your UC benefits will likely be reduced or eliminated depending on how much you earned. However, this only affects that specific week. Since you're not continuing with this job, you can resume normal UC claims the following week. When you file the next week, you'll indicate that you're no longer working there. Be prepared to explain that the commute was too far if asked. This is generally considered a valid reason for leaving a position, especially during a trial/training period. One thing to note: if your earnings from the training exceed 40% of your weekly benefit rate, your benefits will be reduced. If they exceed your weekly benefit rate plus the partial benefit credit (typically 30% of your weekly benefit), you won't receive benefits for that week, but this won't affect future weeks. If you have any specific questions about your situation, I'd recommend calling the PA UC service center directly at 1-888-313-7284 for guidance tailored to your claim.
@Lena Kowalski I am thinking about filing and saying I was unavailable for work this week. That should result in no payment for the week, I don’t do anything wrong, and next week I resume collecting as normal. Either that or just skip this week entirely but I don’t know if that’s an option, I also don’t want the claim to close..
@Matt Hopkins Don t'say you were unavailable for work if you actually worked! That would be providing false information, which could get you in serious trouble with PA UC and potentially result in penalties or having to pay back benefits. You absolutely cannot skip filing - that will definitely cause your claim to close and create bigger headaches. You must file every week to keep your claim active. Here s'what I d'honestly recommend: File your claim, report the work and expected earnings truthfully. When it comes to separation reason, focus on the fact that this was temporary training that didn t'lead to permanent employment due to logistical issues commute (distance .)Many training programs don t'result in permanent placement - that s'normal. The unemployment office deals with short-term work situations constantly. Being honest about working one week of training and it not working out due to distance is much less problematic than providing false information or skipping claims. Just file truthfully, report the income, and resume normal claims next week. You re'overthinking this - one week of reported work won t'derail your benefits if you handle it properly.
Dylan Cooper
Just wanted to follow up - were you able to resolve this issue? The most common resolution for this specific problem (showing paid on dashboard but funds not appearing anywhere) is typically: 1. A UC representative needs to manually release the payment from the holding queue 2. There may be a verification flag that doesn't show up in your online account 3. Money Network may have sent your card to an old address if you've moved Did you try Claimyr or find another way to get through to a representative?
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Liam Sullivan
•Yes! Finally got this resolved yesterday. I used Claimyr and got through to a rep in about 25 minutes. Turns out there was a "payment method conflict" in their system. Even though I requested direct deposit, my old Money Network card was still linked to my account, causing both payment methods to be flagged as uncertain. The payments were essentially stuck in limbo waiting for someone to manually review and decide where to send them. The rep was able to clear the flag and release the payments to my direct deposit. The money showed up in my account this morning! So relieved. For anyone else with this issue - definitely mention "payment method conflict" or "dual payment method flag" when you speak to someone. Thanks for all the help everyone!
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Aidan Percy
So glad you got this resolved @Liam! This is exactly the kind of info that helps everyone else dealing with similar issues. The "payment method conflict" terminology you mentioned is super useful - I never would have known to ask about that specifically. It's crazy that the UC system can show something as "paid" when it's actually stuck in some kind of review limbo. Thanks for coming back to update us on what worked!
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Sean Flanagan
•This is such a helpful thread! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. The fact that UC can show "paid" when payments are actually stuck due to system conflicts is absolutely ridiculous, but at least now we know what terminology to use when we call. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences - it makes such a difference when you're dealing with these frustrating system issues and feeling completely lost.
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