I'm sorry you're going through this situation - it sounds really stressful. As someone who's dealt with PA UC before, I'd strongly recommend calling the UC office to discuss your specific case before making any major decisions. One thing that might help: since you mentioned the 90-minute commute wasn't disclosed during hiring, that could potentially be grounds for "good cause" if you decide to quit. PA UC sometimes considers excessive commute times (especially over an hour each way) as compelling reasons, particularly if it wasn't part of the original job offer. Also, definitely look into the partial benefits option that others mentioned. Since you never filed after your 15-year employer shut down, you might be able to establish a claim now and receive partial benefits while working this lower-paying job. That could help with your financial stress while you figure out your next steps. Document everything about how this job differs from what was promised - save emails, job postings, any written communications. If you do decide to quit, having that documentation will be crucial for your UC case. Good luck!

I went through something very similar in PA about two years ago. My advice would be to file your UC claim immediately based on your 15-year employer shutting down - don't wait any longer. Even though you're working now, you can still establish that claim and potentially get partial benefits since your new pay is significantly lower. Regarding quitting, PA is pretty strict about voluntary separations, but you might have a case if you can prove the job was misrepresented. The key is documentation - start keeping records now of everything that's different from what they promised during the interview. Save the original job posting if you still have it, and document specific examples of how your actual duties differ from what was described. The 90-minute commute each way could actually work in your favor if it wasn't disclosed upfront. PA has recognized excessive commute times as compelling reasons in some cases, especially when it creates financial hardship (gas, wear on your car, etc.) or interferes with your ability to maintain employment. My suggestion: file the UC claim now, document everything for 2-3 weeks while you're getting partial benefits, then if conditions don't improve, you'll have a much stronger case for quitting with good cause. Don't suffer in silence - the system does have protections for situations like yours, but you need to work within the rules.

I'm so glad I found this thread! I've been dealing with a similar situation - my PA UC claim has been stuck in review for 5 weeks now. Reading everyone's experiences and advice has been incredibly helpful. It's both comforting and frustrating to know so many others are going through the exact same thing with the PA system right now. I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy tomorrow (7:59am sharp!), and I think I'll also reach out to my state representative's office based on all the positive experiences people have shared here. The formal complaint option through the Bureau of UC Benefits Quality Control is something I had never heard of before but sounds like a great backup plan. For those who successfully got through - did you find that having specific questions prepared helped speed up the call? I want to make sure I use the time efficiently if I'm lucky enough to reach someone. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories and creating such a supportive space during this stressful time!

This thread has been so helpful for me - I'm currently at 3 weeks waiting and starting to panic, but seeing that others have gotten through gives me hope. The advice about calling at 7:59am and having specific questions ready is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm also bookmarking that complaint form with the Bureau of UC Benefits Quality Control just in case. One question for those who got through - when you finally talked to someone, were they able to give you a realistic timeline for when your specific issue would be resolved? I know every case is different, but I'm trying to manage my expectations and figure out how long I can stretch my savings. Thanks again to everyone sharing their experiences - this community support means everything when you feel like you're drowning in bureaucracy!

Welcome to the community! I'm glad I found this thread because I'm dealing with a similar situation right now. I had to go to the ER last week for chest pains (turned out to be anxiety, thankfully) and missed a day of job searching. Reading through everyone's experiences here, especially Monique's successful outcome, gives me hope that the system is more understanding than I initially thought. It's really helpful to see that being honest about medical situations and providing clear explanations seems to be the best approach. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge - this community is such a valuable resource for navigating these complicated UC rules!

I'm new to this community and just wanted to say how helpful this whole thread has been! I'm currently on PA UC and was really worried about what would happen if I ever got sick or had a medical emergency. Reading through everyone's experiences, especially Monique's detailed follow-up about her hospital stay and how it was resolved, really puts my mind at ease. It's reassuring to know that the system does have provisions for temporary medical situations and that being honest and providing clear documentation is the way to go. The fact that she got a prorated payment for the days she was available makes total sense. Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world information that helps people navigate these complicated situations!

Just wanted to add that I've been using Current for my PA UC payments for about 6 months now and it's been smooth sailing! The deposits usually hit my account within 24-48 hours after I file my weekly claim. One tip: if you're new to Current, make sure your account has been open for at least a week before setting up direct deposit - I've heard some people had issues when they tried to use a brand new account immediately. Good luck with your claim!

I've been using Current for my PA unemployment payments for about 8 months now and haven't had any issues! The key things that worked for me: 1) Make sure you're using the correct routing number (like Jamal mentioned, Current has different ones), 2) Your name on the UC account must match exactly with your Current account name, and 3) Give it a few extra days for the first payment to process while they verify everything. After that first payment, mine usually shows up within 1-2 business days of filing my weekly claim. Current actually sends you a notification when the deposit hits too which is nice for budgeting. You should be all set!

To answer the original question directly: The ideal timing to contact your state representative is after you've made at least 3-4 documented attempts to resolve the issue through normal PA UC channels over a 2-3 week period. This shows you've done your due diligence. When you contact them, be sure to mention exactly what steps you've already taken (dates of calls, emails, etc.) and provide them with all relevant claim information. For those wondering about jurisdiction, contact the representative for your home address district, not your work location. And to clarify something mentioned above - state representatives can help with ALL types of claims, including regular UC, Trade, and UC Connect claims.

I'm actually dealing with something similar right now... My benefits have been pending for 3 weeks and I can't get through to anyone. How exactly did you contact your state rep? Did you call their office or email them? Did you have to provide any specific info about your claim? Sorry for all the questions but I'm getting desperate here! My landlord isn't going to wait much longer...