I'm going through my first PA UC appeal too and this thread has been incredibly helpful! Based on everyone's advice, I think I'll upload my documents to the portal AND take screenshots as backup proof. @Drew Hathaway - regarding your question about timing, my hearing notice said to expect 30-60 minutes, but I've heard it really depends on how complicated your case is and whether your employer shows up with a lot of counter-evidence. I'm planning to block out 2 hours just to be safe. Has anyone here had experience with cases where the employer claimed misconduct but it was really a layoff? I'm curious how those situations typically go during the hearing.

I'm scheduled for my PA UC phone appeal next week and this entire thread has been a lifesaver! Based on everyone's experiences, I'm planning to upload my documents to the portal at least 5 days early, take screenshots of the confirmation, AND email the appeals office as backup. @Marilyn Dixon thank you for those specific steps - having an advocate's perspective really helps. One question for those who've been through this: did any of you have issues with the phone connection during your hearing? I'm worried about technical problems cutting me off mid-explanation. Should I have a backup phone number ready or use a landline instead of my cell?

I'm in a similar situation - hitting my 26 week limit soon and dreading what comes next. Healthcare admin is brutal right now, you're right about the competition. One thing I learned from calling around is that some temp agencies specialize in healthcare admin placements and might have short-term assignments that could at least provide some income and work history for a future claim. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you're documenting every job application meticulously - apparently they're getting stricter about the work search requirements and it might be important if you need to file a new claim later. The whole situation is really stressful when you're trying to pay bills and find decent work at the same time.

Just wanted to add some specific info about the qualifying wage requirements for a new claim - in PA, you need to have earned at least $3,000 during your base period (which is typically the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters before you file). So temp work can definitely help you meet that threshold if you're strategic about it. I actually went through this exact situation last year and managed to get enough qualifying wages through a mix of temp assignments and part-time work during my benefit year. The key is keeping track of your earnings and making sure you understand which quarters will count toward your base period when you're eligible to file again. Also worth noting that some temp agencies offer benefits after a certain number of hours worked, which could be helpful during the gap between benefit periods.

I'm in my second week of filing PA UC claims and this entire thread has been incredibly helpful! I was having the exact same confusion about work search activities vs job applications. I've been applying to 2-3 jobs weekly but kept worrying I was missing some other requirement like mandatory workshops or career counseling sessions. The audit stories really opened my eyes to how important proper documentation is. I've been saving some confirmation emails but not consistently, and I definitely haven't been taking screenshots. After reading everyone's advice, I'm going to start a spreadsheet this weekend to track everything systematically - date, company, position, method, and confirmation details. One question for those who have been doing this longer: when job postings get removed or expire after you've applied, does that affect your documentation at all? Should I be saving copies of the actual job postings too, or are the application confirmations sufficient proof that the opportunity existed when I applied? Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences - this community has been way more informative than the official PA UC website!

I'm in week 6 of my PA UC claim and went through this exact same confusion! The terminology is so misleading - I was convinced for weeks that I needed to be doing formal job training programs or career workshops ON TOP of my regular job applications. What finally cleared it up for me was getting through to a PA UC representative (took about 15 tries calling) who confirmed that job applications ARE work search activities. Each application counts as one activity, and you need minimum 2 per week. So your 3 weekly applications definitely exceed the requirement! I've been using a Google Sheets tracker with columns for date, company, position, application method, and confirmation details. Takes maybe 1 minute per application to log everything, but it's been worth it for peace of mind. I also create a weekly folder in Google Drive and save screenshots of confirmation pages with clear filenames like "2025-03-25_Target_Cashier_Applied.png" The audit stories in this thread are scary but really highlight why good record-keeping matters. You're already doing great with your applications - just make sure to document everything consistently and you'll be totally fine!

I just wanted to add some practical advice for your appeal preparation since I went through this exact situation about 2 years ago. Beyond the documentation everyone's mentioned (which is absolutely crucial), make sure you understand the specific legal language they use. In PA, you need to prove you had a "necessitous and compelling reason" to quit - essentially that any reasonable person would have done the same. Your unpaid overtime situation is actually textbook constructive discharge, especially since it violates FLSA. Here's what really helped me organize my case: Create a simple spreadsheet with dates, what happened, and any evidence you have for each incident. This makes it super easy to reference during your hearing and shows a clear pattern. Also, when you're on the call with the referee, speak slowly and clearly - they're taking notes and you want to make sure they capture everything accurately. One thing that surprised me was how straightforward the hearing actually was. I was terrified it would be like a courtroom drama, but it was really just a conversation where I got to tell my side of the story with evidence to back it up. The referee asked good questions and seemed genuinely interested in understanding what happened. Don't let anxiety about the process stop you from fighting for what you deserve - with three kids depending on you, this is absolutely worth pursuing. You've got solid evidence and a strong case!

I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago - denied for "voluntary quit" when my boss made work impossible after I refused unpaid overtime. The appeal process was honestly scary at first, but I'm so glad I didn't give up! Won my case after about 10 weeks and got all my back benefits. The key things that helped me: 1) Document EVERYTHING chronologically - I made a timeline showing how my supervisor's attitude and demands changed immediately after I said no to working off the clock, 2) Save every single text/email as evidence (sounds like you're already doing this!), 3) Focus on proving that any reasonable person would have quit under those conditions. Your unpaid overtime situation is actually really strong because that's wage theft - completely illegal under federal law. The referee will see this as your employer creating intolerable conditions through illegal demands. My employer didn't even show up to the hearing, which happens more often than you'd think when they know their case is weak. File that appeal ASAP and don't let the initial denial discourage you - it's just their way of weeding out people who won't fight back. With three kids depending on you, this is absolutely worth fighting for. You've got solid evidence and a legitimate case. Stay organized, stick to the facts, and you've got this!

Just wanted to add my experience - I got my new blue Money Network card about 2 weeks ago. The envelope it comes in is really plain and thin, so I almost threw it away thinking it was a credit card offer! It just says "Important Financial Information" on the outside. Also, when you activate it, make sure you have your SSN ready because they ask for it during the phone activation process. The whole thing took me about 5 minutes once I got through. Hope this helps!

Just wanted to share that I received my PA UC Money Network card yesterday and can confirm it's the blue one with the silver stripe that others mentioned. Mine took exactly 7 business days from approval to arrival. One thing I didn't see mentioned - when you call to activate it, they also ask for your date of birth and zip code, not just SSN. Also, the card number starts with 5573 if anyone wants to double-check they got the right one. The activation was quick once I had all the info ready!