anyone else notice how this ALWAYS happens right when your bills are due?? like they KNOW when you need the money the most and thats when they make it impossible to get through. the system is DESIGNED to make people give up on benefits they deserve!!!!

@OP just wondering if you ever got through to someone? My claim just got stuck too and wondering if state rep or claimyr worked better for you?

My rep actually gave me a reference number for the inquiry they submitted. Did yours give you anything like that? Might be worth calling back to ask for it so you can reference it in future calls.

One more thing I should mention - if your open issue is related to your separation from employment (quit/fired/laid off), having documentation ready will help. Things like separation letters, emails about your departure, or any relevant communication with your former employer. The examiner might ask for these to be uploaded or emailed when they call. Also, don't be surprised if the 'open issue' turns out to be something simple or even a system error. Often these long delays are due to claims being flagged by automated systems and then sitting in queues waiting for human review.

The PA UC system is SUCH a joke. They make up all these internal department names that mean nothing to regular people, don't explain ANYTHING clearly, and then expect us to just wait patiently while our bills pile up. I had a similar experience back in January - was told my claim was going to some special department for review and the rep couldn't even tell me how long it would take! Ended up waiting 17 days for my first payment. The whole system needs to be completely revamped.

Quick update for everyone in this thread - as of April 2025, PA UC has actually improved their internal processing times. "Cash UI" transfers are now typically completed within 48-72 hours according to the latest information from L&I. This is part of their system modernization that began rolling out in January. So @Original_Poster, you may see your payment sooner than expected!

my frend got his check in like 5 days, but he lives in pittsburgh so maybe its based on how close u r to harrisburg? idk just a thought

UPDATE: My check finally arrived today! That's 16 days after they said it was mailed. The postmark on the envelope was actually August 2nd, not July 25th like they told me on the phone. So I guess there was some delay between when they approved it and when it actually went out in the mail. I'm just relieved it's here now. Thanks everyone for your help and advice! I'm definitely switching to direct deposit for all future payments.

Just a heads up - if you're calling about job search requirements being waived due to medical issues, make sure you have your medical documentation ready to fax or upload. They'll create a ticket but won't be able to resolve it until they receive your doctor's note. The ideal documentation includes the specific dates you're unable to search for work and needs to be signed by a licensed physician.

One more tip about calling PA UC: If you get through and then get disconnected (happens way too often), call back immediately and when prompted by the automated system, press the option to indicate you were disconnected during a previous call. Sometimes this puts you ahead in the queue rather than starting over. Doesn't always work but worth trying.