Congrats on finding work! I just went through this exact same situation a few months ago. The "disqualified" status freaked me out too but it's totally normal - it just means you earned too much that specific week to get benefits. Your back payments are completely separate and will still be processed once an examiner reviews your claim. I got all 10 weeks of back pay even after working for a month. The key is to keep filing your weekly claims until they officially close your claim or you'll forfeit those back payments. PA UC's system is confusing but you should be fine! Just be patient with the examiner review process - it sucks but they will eventually get to it.

I'm in the EXACT same boat as you! Just found a job after 3 months of searching and when I reported my first week of earnings, boom - "disqualified" status appeared and I immediately thought I lost everything. I've been waiting 7 weeks for an examiner review and desperately need those back payments. Reading everyone's experiences here is such a relief - it's clear that PA UC just uses terrible wording and "disqualified" only applies to that specific week where you earned too much, not your entire claim history. I was literally about to call and ask if I should stop filing since I'm working now, but thankfully found this thread first. Sounds like the golden rule is to keep filing weekly until they officially close your claim or you forfeit your back pay. The stress of being behind on bills while waiting is real, but at least now I know others have successfully gotten their full back payments even after starting work. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this community is a lifesaver when PA UC's system is so confusing!

FINAL UPDATE: My claim was approved! Took 12 days total and I already got my first payment via direct deposit. For anyone in the same situation, here's what worked for me: 1. I uploaded the text from my boss about the closure right away 2. I took photos of the closed restaurant with the sign in the window 3. I called using that Claimyr service someone mentioned above when I saw an "employer contact" issue 4. The agent was able to verify everything and push my claim through They did count most of my tips in the calculation (the ones reported on tax returns), and my weekly benefit amount is actually pretty decent. Now I just need to keep up with the weekly claims and job search requirements while I find a new bartending job. Thanks again to everyone who helped!

Congrats on getting it sorted out! Your experience is super helpful for others going through the same thing. Quick question - when you called using Claimyr, about how long did it take them to get you connected to an actual UC agent? I'm dealing with a similar employer contact issue and have been trying to get through for days with no luck.

Good luck with your new claim! Just wanted to add that when you file, make sure you keep detailed records of everything - your temp job dates, wages, when you filed, confirmation numbers, etc. The PA UC system can be really glitchy and sometimes claims get lost in the system. I learned this the hard way when my first claim disappeared for like 3 weeks and I had no proof I'd filed. Also, if they do approve you but at a lower benefit amount, don't be discouraged - like someone mentioned, something is better than nothing while you keep looking for steady work. Hang in there!

I just wanted to add something that might help - when you're gathering information about your temp work wages, you can actually request a wage statement from PA UC that shows all the wages reported under your SSN. I learned this trick from a friend who works at the local CareerLink. You can call and ask for your "wage and benefit statement" which will show you exactly what employers have reported for you. This way you'll know for sure if you meet that 6x threshold before you even file. It can save you the anxiety of wondering whether you qualify. The number is the same one everyone complains about (the 888 number that never answers), but if you can get through, they can email or mail you this statement usually within a few days. Just another tool to help you feel more prepared before starting the application process!

I'm dealing with something similar - my reopened claim has been stuck for 8 weeks now. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like there might be multiple issues causing these delays. Has anyone had success with the CareerLink offices? I'm wondering if showing up in person might help get some answers about what's actually holding up our claims. The phone system is absolutely useless and I'm running out of options for paying rent next month.

I've been through this exact situation! My reopened claim was stuck for 10 weeks and it turned out there was a wage discrepancy between what I reported and what my employer had submitted to the state. The frustrating part is that the system doesn't tell you what the specific issue is - it just sits there saying "in review" forever. What finally worked for me was a combination approach: I emailed UCHelp@pa.gov AND contacted my state rep's office on the same day. Within 48 hours, someone from UC called me directly to resolve the issue. Turns out my former employer had reported my separation date incorrectly by one day, which was enough to flag the whole claim for manual review. My advice: don't wait any longer. Hit them from multiple angles - email, state rep, and keep trying the phone. Also, if you have any documentation from your layoff (separation notice, final pay stub, etc.), have it ready because they might ask for it to clear up the delay. You WILL get all your back pay once this gets resolved, so definitely keep filing those weekly certs!

Wow, this thread is super helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation right now where I filed too early and got denied for insufficient base period wages. It's so frustrating that in 2025 we still have to deal with mailing forms and impossible phone lines. I'm definitely going to try the Claimyr service to get through - seems like multiple people here had success with it. Also good to know about the CareerLink option as backup. The PA UC system really needs to catch up with modern technology!

I went through this exact same nightmare situation in December 2024! Filed too early, got denied for insufficient wages, and then discovered the archaic withdrawal process. Here's what actually worked for me: I tried the Claimyr service that others mentioned and got connected to an agent in about 20 minutes. The agent was able to process my withdrawal over the phone immediately - no mailing forms or waiting weeks! She explained that phone withdrawals are definitely possible for denied claims, it's just not well-publicized on their website. Cost me like $20 for the Claimyr service but saved me literally weeks of waiting. After the withdrawal was processed (took about 3 business days), I was able to file a new claim with my updated wages and got approved. The whole PA UC system is stuck in the stone age but at least there are ways to work around it now!