Just wanted to give you a heads up that when the card DOES arrive, you have to activate it immediately!! I made the mistake of waiting a couple days to activate mine because I was busy, and it triggered some kind of security protocol where I had to verify my identity AGAIN. Such a headache! Also make sure to create your Money Network online account right away so you can track your balance and payments.

UPDATE: I decided to try that Claimyr service someone mentioned and actually got through to a UC agent! The agent confirmed my card was mailed on January 7th (not the 4th when I was approved). She said there was a backlog of card requests and that's why it took a few extra days to actually send it. According to her, I should receive it by tomorrow or Friday at the latest. She also helped me set up direct deposit for future payments so I won't have to deal with this card stress again! Thanks everyone for your help!

i had 2 wait 14 weeks last year when my boss said i was fired 4 attendance but i had approved FMLA leave!!! called my state rep after week 10 and got paid 2 weeks later. wish i had done it sooner!!!! they can definitely help speed things up

Just remembered something important - if you do finally get through to PA UC, ask them specifically what "issue code" is holding up your claim. Each type of issue has a different resolution process and timeline. If it's an "employer protest" those take forever, but if it's something simple like an "identity verification" it might be resolvable on the same call. Knowing the exact issue code gives you more power.

Update on your options: 1. Continue with new claim - This is simplest but you'll lose that one week's payment permanently. 2. Appeal the new claim - File an appeal explaining the misunderstanding about your employment status as an educational employee. Include documentation showing your regular employment pattern and return date. 3. Contact UC directly - Explain that as an educational employee with reasonable assurance of returning to work, you mistakenly indicated a new separation when you should have reported continuing employment with zero earnings. Option 3 is fastest if you can reach them. If you decide to continue with the new claim, make sure to answer correctly going forward - always indicate you're employed but with zero earnings during non-work periods.

Just wanted to update that I got through to PA UC today using Claimyr after trying for 3 days on my own. The agent explained exactly what others here said - for educational employees, we should report still being employed but with zero earnings during scheduled breaks. She was able to fix my claim and release my payment for the missed week! So relieved.

UPDATE: I just checked my dashboard and the overpayment is STILL showing. It's been 5 days since I got the dismissal letter. Should I be worried? Has anyone had the system take longer than this to update after a dismissal?

UPDATE 2: Good news everyone! The overpayment finally disappeared from my account today (two weeks after getting the dismissal letter). What a relief! Thanks to everyone who helped calm me down and explained what was happening. This system is so confusing and stressful to navigate.

congrats on the new job! one thing nobody mentioned is u might need to report ur first day of work on ur last weekly certification. there's a question that asks if u refused work or returned to work. make sure u answer that correctly or they could hit u with an overpayment later

Just wanted to follow up - since your claim has been pending for 6 weeks, you might qualify for a hardship acceleration. Call the UC service center and specifically mention financial hardship (risk of eviction, utility shutoff, etc.). This sometimes gets them to expedite the determination. And keep documenting everything in case you need to appeal or request a backdated determination.