my cousin works for contract job too but when he ended he couldn't get benefits again cuz they said he quit but he didn't the job was just over??? make sure they know you didn't quit or get fired the contract just ended thats what the lady told him when he finally got thru

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I'm feeling much better about what to do when my contract ends in June. I'll definitely make sure to use "lack of work" as the reason, file immediately on my last day, keep all documentation, and remember to do my job search activities. Hopefully the reopening process will go smoothly, but if not, I'll check out that Claimyr service. Really appreciate all the help!

my bad i think you guys r right. i went back and checked & i was reopening my claim from 3 months ago so maybe thats why i didnt have waiting week.

Thanks everyone for the info! I'll plan my budget accordingly now that I know about the waiting week. Really appreciate all the help. I'll definitely file my weekly claim even though I know it won't be paid - don't want to mess anything up with my claim.

Anyone know if theres a way to file weekly claims by phone when website isnt working? My cousin said she did this once when her internet was down

UPDATE: I got in! I tried at 6:30am and the error was gone. Looks like a combination of trying early morning + waiting 24 hours since my last login attempt did the trick. Weekly claim is now filed! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

I went through something similar when they changed it. Not sure if its different now but when i had missed weeks, i was only allowed to backdate file for the previous 2 weeks. anything older than that i had to talk to a rep who manually entered them after i explained the situation. make sure you have all your work search activities documented for those missed weeks too they might ask for them

Just to close the loop on this - yes, PA switched to weekly filing a few years ago. The reason was to process claims faster and get payments out more quickly. The old biweekly system could cause longer waits between payments. Here's what the weekly schedule looks like: - Sunday through Friday: File for the previous week - Wait 2-3 business days for processing - Payment typically arrives via direct deposit or debit card For your missed weeks, definitely try to contact UC as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to get those weeks backdated.

Omg the Money Network cards are GARBAGE compared to ReliaCard!! The app freezes constantly, their customer service takes forever, and they charge fees for almost everything. I miss my ReliaCard so much. Just warning you so you're prepared for the downgrade. And yeah, they'll automatically mail you one after your claim is approved. Took mine about 8 business days to arrive.

Just wanted to follow up - did you end up getting your Money Network card or setting up direct deposit? Which worked better for you?

update on my situation from before - i had to pay back like $4300 and it totally destroyed me financially. the whole process is designed to favor employers. get ready to fight HARD

Final bit of advice - be very clear about the timeline during your hearing. A major hour reduction (40 to 12) is usually considered "good cause" for quitting in PA, but timing matters. If you quit immediately after the reduction, that looks better than if you worked the reduced schedule for months before quitting. Also, during your hearing: 1. Answer questions directly and briefly 2. Don't interrupt the employer or referee 3. Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question 4. Stay calm even if the employer says things you disagree with 5. Have your facts ready (dates of hour reduction, conversations about it, when you left) Based on what you've shared, I think you have a pretty strong case if you can document that substantial hour reduction.

When I got laid off back in January I had to wait nearly 2 months for my first payment! It's ridiculous how they expect people to survive. I had to borrow money from family just to pay rent. The whole system seems designed to make claiming benefits as difficult as possible. Oh and just so you know, when your claim does finally get approved, they might put your payments on a Money Network card instead of direct deposit, even if you selected direct deposit. That happened to me and I had to wait another week for the card to arrive in the mail. The whole system is a mess!

Since others have covered the waiting period and expedited process, I want to add some practical advice for stretching your money while waiting: 1. Contact all your creditors (credit cards, utilities, car payment, etc.) and explain your situation. Many have hardship programs that can defer payments for 1-3 months without penalties. 2. If you have a mortgage, contact your lender about forbearance options. 3. For utilities, ask about budget billing or emergency assistance programs. 4. Check with local community action agencies in your county - they often have emergency rent assistance. 5. Food banks are not just for the homeless - they're specifically designed to help people in temporary financial crisis like unemployment. These steps can help you stretch whatever resources you have while waiting for UC to come through with your benefits.

UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know my payment came through this morning! So that was about 3 business days after approval. Such a relief after months of waiting and worrying. Thanks for all the helpful info!

Anyone notice they always seem to process these things on Fridays? My theory is they don't want people calling with questions about deposits over the weekend lol

To address your original question more directly: Yes, technically when your benefits are reversed due to ineligibility, you would normally need to repay the benefits received. However, there are multiple options to address this: 1. Appeal to UCBR within 15 days (highest priority) 2. If that fails, request a fault overpayment waiver 3. If waiver is denied, request a payment plan 4. In extreme cases, bankruptcy can discharge some UC overpayments The key thing now is to act quickly on that UCBR appeal. Focus on why your performance issues weren't "willful misconduct" - which legally means a deliberate violation of employer rules or standards, not just failing to meet expectations. If your employer never gave you formal warnings or a performance improvement plan, definitely highlight that in your appeal.

Correct - they won't start collection actions while your appeal is pending. You need to file a Petition for Appeal to the UCBR. You should have received instructions with your referee decision, but if not, you can find the form on the PA UC website or simply write a letter including: - Your name, address, and last 4 of SSN - The referee's decision number you're appealing - The date of that decision - The reason you're appealing (focus on why your actions weren't willful misconduct) Send it to the address on your referee decision. Make sure it's postmarked within 15 days of the decision date! Keep proof of mailing.

I went thru this in January when I got my job at the hospital. Had to put my rent on a credit card and ate ramen for 3 weeks. The system doesn't care about the gap between starting work and getting paid. BUT STILL REPORT EVERYTHING HONESTLY!!! I know someone who didn't and got hit with a $2800 overpayment plus penalties. NOT WORTH IT.

One additional thing to consider - when you file your weekly certification, you'll need to answer "yes" to the question about whether you have obtained work. On the next screen, you'll need to provide: - Employer name and address - First day worked - Type of work (full-time or part-time) - Hourly rate or salary This will trigger a change in your claim status. Even though it's frustrating to lose benefits before receiving a paycheck, it's important to understand that UC is designed to provide income during periods of unemployment, not to bridge payment gaps when returning to work. As for your immediate financial situation, you might want to check if your new employer offers any advance payment options or if there are emergency assistance programs in your county. Some community organizations offer short-term loans or grants specifically for people transitioning back to work.