UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know my payment processed normally! The processing number appeared this morning and the payment is pending in my account. Looks like it was just a system update like you all suggested. Thanks for helping me not panic!

Thanks for posting this update! I was dealing with the exact same situation last week and your experience matches mine perfectly. The new job search question appeared out of nowhere after months of not seeing it, and I also had the same worry about the missing processing number. It's good to know this is just a system-wide update and not something we did wrong. For other seasonal workers reading this - it seems like the key is to keep answering 'yes' to the work search question if you have a documented return date, and be patient with the processing delays that seem to be happening during this transition period.

To answer your follow-up questions: 1. Yes, the review could be about your work search activities, but it could also be about your status as an independent contractor. When you started working as a caregiver after already being on UC, that's actually a significant change. 2. About potential overpayments - if they determine you didn't meet work search requirements, they could potentially rule those weeks as overpayments. However, you might be able to appeal based on receiving incorrect information from a state employee (the CareerLink staff). 3. Moving forward - absolutely maintain 2 work search activities each week and document everything thoroughly. I'd suggest using the PA CareerLink system to track your activities since it integrates with the UC system. 4. Definitely try to speak with a UC representative to understand exactly why your claim is under review. This will help you address the specific issue rather than guessing.

I'm glad you were able to get through and get some clarity on what the review is actually about! That's a huge relief that it's not related to your work search activities. The independent contractor classification review makes sense - PA UC has been really scrutinizing these situations more closely lately. Since you're already working as a caregiver and making $320/week, they're probably just making sure you're still eligible for regular UC benefits vs. needing to be classified differently. The good news is that if you were laid off from your regular job first and then picked up the caregiving work afterward, you should still qualify for regular UC benefits - you just need to keep reporting your weekly earnings accurately. Keep doing those 2 weekly work search activities just to be safe, and definitely save all your documentation about the incorrect advice you received from CareerLink in case you need it later. Good luck with the review process!

Final update: I WON MY APPEAL! Got the decision letter today stating that my medical appointments were approved absences and therefore NOT willful misconduct. The referee specifically cited the evidence I submitted showing prior approval from my manager. I've already filed claims for all the back weeks I missed, and the UC rep said I should receive payment within 2-3 business days. Such a relief! Thank you to everyone who provided advice and support. For anyone else going through this process - good documentation and preparation really do make all the difference.

Congratulations to whoever won their appeal! That's such encouraging news for everyone going through this stressful process. Hannah, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get a positive decision soon too - it sounds like you were really well prepared with all that documentation showing prior approval for your medical appointments. That's exactly the kind of evidence that makes the difference in these cases. Please keep us updated when you hear back!

yeah u should keep filing ur weekly claims even while waiting for the decision!! i almost messed that up but luckily my friend told me

Emma, I've been through a similar situation and here's what I learned: You absolutely need to call the appeals office ASAP about your job loss, but don't panic - they rarely change phone hearings back to in-person with such short notice. When you call, ask them specifically if this changes anything about your hearing preparation. For the new claim, file it immediately. Don't wait until after the hearing because UC benefits aren't retroactive. Make sure to clearly explain on the application that you have a pending appeal for a previous claim period - the systems will handle them separately. One more thing - document everything from this point forward. Write down who you talk to, when you call, reference numbers, etc. Having good records will help if any issues come up later. You've got this!

Update: I used that Claimyr service mentioned earlier today, got through to a rep in about 20 minutes. She was actually super helpful and looked up my claim. Turns out there WAS an issue - my employer hadn't responded to their request for separation information. She said she'd expedite it and I should see movement within 7-10 days instead of waiting the full 6-12 weeks. Worth the money just to know what's actually going on!

I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now! Filed 2 weeks ago and feeling so stressed about how long this is taking. Reading through these comments is actually really helpful - I had no idea about needing to keep filing weekly claims while waiting for approval. @Andre Lefebvre thanks for that tip! Also going to look into that Claimyr service that @Ethan Clark and @StarStrider mentioned. Sounds like it might be worth the cost if it can actually get me through to someone who knows what's going on with my claim. The regular phone line has been completely useless. @Nia Wilson - have you tried calling your state representative yet like @Carmen Ruiz suggested? Might be worth a shot if the other options don't work out.