I switched from ReliaCard to direct deposit about 6 months ago and can definitely confirm the Tuesday timing! My payments hit my Ally Bank account every Tuesday morning around 6:00am, which is so much better than the Wednesday schedule with the card. The switch process was really easy through the UC portal - took maybe 10 minutes total. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned much - make sure you have your bank's correct routing number handy before you start the process. I almost used the wrong one (there are different routing numbers for wire transfers vs ACH transfers) but caught it at the last minute. Most banks have their ACH routing number clearly listed on their website or you can find it on a check. My first direct deposit did come a day later than expected, but after that it's been like clockwork every Tuesday. The ATM fee savings have been incredible - I was probably spending $20+ per month in fees with the ReliaCard since I live in a rural area with limited fee-free options. Plus there's something really nice about just waking up Tuesday morning and knowing the money is already in your account. Highly recommend making the switch!

I just switched from ReliaCard to direct deposit last week and I'm really excited to see all these positive experiences! I've been getting my UC payments on Wednesday with the card for about 2 months now, and the ATM fees have been really frustrating - especially since the closest fee-free ATM is like 15 minutes away from my house. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the Tuesday direct deposit timing is pretty much universal across different banks, which is awesome. I'm with TD Bank and made the switch on Thursday, so hopefully my first payment comes through smoothly this Tuesday. The one day earlier payment plus no more ATM fees will be such a relief for my budget planning. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread has been incredibly helpful for understanding what to expect!

Just wanted to add one more important point - if you do decide to quit, make sure you submit your resignation in writing (email is fine) and keep a copy. In the resignation, be specific about how the job differs from what was described during the hiring process. Something like "The position was described as [X] during the interview, but the actual duties are [Y]" or "The schedule was stated as [X] but has been changed to [Y] without prior agreement." This written record can be crucial evidence if UC questions your decision. Also, don't wait too long to quit if you're going to do it - the longer you stay, the harder it becomes to argue the conditions were unacceptable. Good luck!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that PA UC will sometimes do what's called a "fact-finding interview" over the phone before making their initial decision. Don't be surprised if they call you within a week or two of reporting that you quit - they'll ask detailed questions about exactly what happened and why you left. Be honest and stick to the facts about how the job differed from what was promised. Also, if your employer tries to claim you were fired instead of quit (to avoid paying into the UC system), make sure you have evidence that you resigned voluntarily. I've seen cases where employers lie about the circumstances to avoid liability. Keep records of any texts, emails, or conversations about your resignation!

I actually just went through this exact situation a few months ago! Got a job offer but had to wait for both background check and security clearance to go through. I kept filing my weekly claims the entire time (which ended up being 6 weeks total) and documented everything carefully. The UC office confirmed I was doing the right thing when I called to ask. The important thing is you're not actually employed until you start working and earning wages - a conditional offer doesn't count as employment. Just make sure when you do start, you report that first day of work immediately on your next weekly certification. Also keep all your paperwork from the job offer process in case you ever need to show the timeline. You're making the right call by continuing to file!

I'm in a similar boat right now - got a job offer two weeks ago but still waiting on the background check to clear! Reading through all these responses has been super helpful. It sounds like the consensus is to keep filing until you actually start working, which makes sense since a contingent offer isn't guaranteed employment yet. I've been noting the pending offer in the additional information section each week like some of you suggested. My biggest worry was accidentally committing fraud, but it seems like being transparent and accurate with dates is the key. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's really reassuring to know others have navigated this successfully!

Hey Liam! Welcome to the forum! 👋 Just wanted to add another voice confirming what everyone has said about your base year - for your January 2025 filing, PA will definitely use October 2023 through September 2024. So all that overtime you earned in early 2024 is going to count toward your weekly benefit calculation, which is great news! I filed my claim back in March 2024 after my manufacturing plant closed, and I remember being just as confused about the base year calculation as you are now. This forum was absolutely invaluable for understanding the process and avoiding common mistakes. One thing I wanted to mention that I don't think anyone has covered yet: if you have any union dues or other payroll deductions that were taken from your gross pay during your base year, make sure those are still included in your total wage calculation. PA UC uses your gross wages (before deductions) for benefit calculations, so don't worry if your take-home pay was less due to deductions. Also, since you're new to the forum, I'd recommend using the search function to look up topics like "weekly certification tips" or "work search requirements" - there are some really detailed posts from experienced members that can help you avoid common pitfalls. The whole unemployment process can feel overwhelming at first, but you're doing exactly the right thing by asking questions and getting informed upfront. This community has your back if you run into any issues along the way! Good luck with your claim! 🍀

Hey Liam! Welcome to the forum! 🙌 I can see you've gotten some absolutely fantastic advice from everyone here - this community really is incredible for navigating the PA UC maze! Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me tremendously when I filed my claim. Since you mentioned being confused by all the different information online, I'd highly recommend bookmarking the official PA UC handbook (you can find it on the PA.gov website). While this forum is amazing for real-world advice and experiences, having the official reference handy can be helpful when you want to double-check specific rules or requirements. Also, one small thing that caught me off guard: when you start receiving benefits, PA will withhold federal taxes if you request it (which I'd recommend), but they DON'T automatically withhold state taxes. You might want to set aside about 3-4% of each payment for PA state taxes to avoid a surprise at tax time. You're definitely approaching this the right way by asking questions upfront and getting organized. With all the great advice you've received here, plus your proactive approach, I'm confident your claim will go smoothly! This community will be here if you need any help along the way. Good luck! 🍀

I'm in a similar boat but with a different school role - I was a substitute teacher last year and filed in June too. My claim has been stuck for over 6 weeks now with the same school district issue. What's really frustrating is that subs don't have ANY guarantee of work for the next year, yet they still treat us like we have "reasonable assurance." I've tried calling probably 100 times with no luck getting through. Reading all these responses is actually helpful though - sounds like most people do eventually get approved, it just takes way longer than it should. I'm definitely going to try that live chat option tomorrow at 8am and maybe contact my state rep too. This whole process is such a mess but at least we're not alone in dealing with it!

I was a bus driver for our school district and went through this same nightmare last summer! The "reasonable assurance" rule is so unfair for those of us in non-teaching roles. What really helped my case was getting a letter from HR at the school district explicitly stating that my position was seasonal with no guarantee of rehire. I had to be pretty persistent with the district office to get that letter, but it made all the difference when the examiner finally reviewed my claim. Also, I found that filing an appeal right away (even before they make a decision) can sometimes speed up the initial review process because it shows you're serious about fighting it. Took about 7 weeks total but I did get approved with full back pay. Don't give up!