UPDATE: Finally got through to someone on the phone! They told me my claim had multiple issues - not just the CareerLink thing but also an employer separation issue. Apparently my employer initially reported I quit (which is absolutely false). The rep helped clear up both issues and said my payments should be processed within 7-10 days including backdated weeks! For those asking how I got through - I ended up using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above and got connected in about 25 minutes. Would have NEVER gotten through otherwise, been trying for weeks.

So glad you finally got through and got it sorted out! That employer separation issue is a huge red flag - definitely keep documentation of your layoff notice and any communication with your employer in case that comes up again. For anyone else reading this thread, this is exactly why it's so important to check what your employer reports to UC. Sometimes there are honest mistakes in their reporting, but sometimes employers try to avoid paying into the UC fund by claiming you quit or were fired for cause. Always contest these if they're wrong! @ad4e60893f83 - curious, did the rep mention anything about interest or penalties for the delayed payments? PA is supposed to pay interest on backdated benefits in some cases.

Another thing to check - log into your portal and look at the "Payment Information" section. Does it show your weekly benefit amount (WBA) calculated correctly? And check your claim status to make sure it doesn't say you need to complete ID verification or something else before payment. Sometimes they approve the reason for separation but there's STILL other hoops to jump through!!! 😡

Since your claim status is "Active" and your WBA is calculated, that's a good sign everything is in order. Typically, payments should process within 2-3 business days after approval, but with 18 weeks of backpay, it might take a bit longer. The system processes large backpay amounts through an additional review sometimes, which can add a few days. If you don't see anything by early next week, that's when I would definitely try to reach someone by phone.

To update everyone, I just checked the PA Department of Revenue website and they're reporting an average 24-day processing time from the date you receive that message. They're also saying that returns filed after April 15, 2025 (even with extensions) are taking longer - about 30-35 days on average. If it's been more than 6 weeks, you should definitely call them at 717-787-8201.

I'm in a similar situation - filed my PA return about 4 weeks ago and got that processing message last week. It's so stressful waiting when you're relying on that money! From what everyone is saying here, it sounds like anywhere from 3-6 weeks is normal. I've been checking my bank account obsessively every morning. Hopefully we both get our refunds soon! At least the UC payments are something, even if they don't cover everything with how expensive everything has gotten.

UPDATE: My first check came today, took 8 days from when it was issued. For anyone dealing with this in the future - they do show the payment date online, but not the actual mail date. Signing up for USPS Informed Delivery like someone suggested was super helpful! Now I just need to figure out how to get back to direct deposit eventually.

So glad to see your update that the check arrived! 8 days isn't too bad considering some of the horror stories people share. I'm dealing with the same situation right now - got switched to paper checks last week due to a "security review" on my account. Been checking my mailbox obsessively every day lol. Did you have to do anything special when you deposited the check, or was it just like depositing any other check? Some people told me UC checks can be tricky at certain banks.

Off topic but anybody know if Pennsylvania is keeping the work search requirements at 2 activities per week? I heard a rumor they might increase it to 3 but couldn't find anything on the UC website about changes for 2025.

I've been on PA UC for about 6 months now and can confirm - never once got a weekend deposit on my Money Network card. The system is pretty rigid about business days only. Your best bet is always to plan for Tuesday/Wednesday deposits if you file on Sunday/Monday. It's frustrating when you're in a tight spot like this, but at least your landlord is being understanding! That's honestly the best outcome you could hope for in this situation.