Emma, I'm so sorry you had to go through that harassment situation. Based on all the excellent advice shared here, it sounds like you have a really strong case for PA UC benefits. I wanted to add one more practical tip that helped me when I was preparing my own appeal documentation: create a simple spreadsheet or table with columns for Date, Incident Description, Witnesses Present, and Your Response/Action Taken. This format makes it super easy for the UC reviewer to quickly see the pattern of harassment and your attempts to address it. Also, since you mentioned having text messages from coworkers, make sure to screenshot those with timestamps visible - text evidence can be incredibly powerful but only if it's properly documented. The fact that you have HR emails, coworker witnesses, medical documentation, AND evidence of the employer pressuring you to stay (then making things worse) really puts you in a good position. Don't let that initial denial discourage you if it comes - from everything I've read here, the appeal process is where cases like yours typically succeed. You clearly tried to handle this the right way and only quit when it became impossible to stay. Good luck with your claim!

Emma, I just wanted to add my voice to all the excellent advice you've received here. I went through a similar PA UC appeal process last year after quitting due to workplace harassment related to my anxiety disorder. One thing that really helped my case was documenting not just WHAT happened, but also HOW it specifically affected my protected disability. Since your ADHD was clearly being targeted, make sure you emphasize in your claim how the contradictory instructions, constant criticism, and different treatment specifically interfered with your ability to manage your condition and perform your job duties. The fact that you tried to quit initially but were pressured to stay, only to have things get worse, is actually strong evidence of constructive discharge. PA UC recognizes that sometimes employers create conditions that force someone to quit, which isn't truly "voluntary." Also, don't forget to mention any accommodations you might have needed for your ADHD that weren't provided - that could strengthen the disability discrimination angle. You have excellent documentation with the HR emails, coworker texts, and medical records. Based on everything you've shared, you have one of the stronger cases I've seen discussed here. Stay organized, be prepared for an initial denial, and don't give up on the appeal process. You've got this!

I went through this exact same situation when I first applied! The waiting and uncertainty is so stressful, especially when rent is due. A few things that helped me: First, definitely go with a traditional bank or credit union like others suggested - online banks like Chime work too, but make sure they give you the routing/account numbers immediately. Second, call the Money Network customer service line (888-233-5916) and ask about expedited shipping for your card - there's usually a small fee but it can cut the wait time significantly. Third, while you're waiting, check with your local 211 service (just dial 2-1-1) - they can connect you with emergency assistance programs in your area. Many counties have specific help for people waiting on unemployment benefits to start. The anticipation is the worst part, but once your first payment goes through, the timing becomes much more predictable. You've got this!

Been through this exact situation! The timing can be nerve-wracking when you're waiting on that first payment. Since you got the credit union account set up, you should be in good shape - they're usually really reliable for UC deposits. Just keep in mind that if you updated your direct deposit info after they already started processing Friday's payment, this week's deposit might still try to go to whatever method you had before (or get delayed while they sort it out). The good news is that once you get past this first payment hurdle, the timing becomes super predictable. Also, definitely keep that Money Network card request active as a backup - even though it's taking forever, it's nice to have as a safety net. And don't stress too much about the 1-2 day delay after the payment date - that's totally normal even for people who've been on UC for months. The system just needs that processing time to push the money through!

I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all the detailed responses here! As someone who's been stressing about this exact issue, reading everyone's experiences and practical tips has been such a relief. One thing I'm curious about - has anyone had success with using temp agencies as part of their work search activities? I registered with a couple of staffing agencies last week and I'm wondering if that initial registration counts as a work search activity, and then if following up with them weekly would count as additional activities? I'm thinking it could be a good strategy since temp agencies often have multiple job openings, so even if one placement doesn't work out, they might have other opportunities. Plus the ongoing relationship with the agency could provide regular work search activities for the UC-304 form. Thanks again to everyone who shared their systems and experiences - I'm definitely implementing the Google Doc tracking system and weekly checklist approach that several people mentioned!

I'm also new to PA UC (started about 5 weeks ago) and went through this exact same confusion! The system really doesn't explain things clearly at all. What helped me was realizing that the UC-304 form is basically your lifeline - that's the only documentation that really matters. I keep a simple notebook where I jot down every application I submit throughout the week (company name, job title, date, where I applied), plus any workshops or career activities I do. Then every Friday I transfer it all to the UC-304 form and save it in a folder on my computer. For work search activities, I've found that updating your resume counts, so does setting up new job alerts on different sites, attending virtual career fairs, and even watching career-related YouTube videos (as long as they're legitimate career development content). I usually do a mix of online workshops through my local workforce development center and simple things like optimizing my LinkedIn profile. The key thing I learned is that you DON'T need to use CareerLink to apply for jobs - you can apply anywhere and it counts the same. Just keep good records and you'll be fine. The weekly certification question is really just asking "did you do the minimum required activities?" not "did you use our specific system?" You're definitely on the right track with the UC-304 form and saving confirmation emails!

I'm so glad I found this thread - I'm in almost the exact same boat! 26 years at a steel fabrication plant, laid off in October with a callback date that's been pushed three times now. Like you, I'm 57 and the thought of interviewing again is absolutely terrifying. What's been helping me cope is realizing that we're not alone in this - so many experienced workers are dealing with these fake callback dates. I started attending some of the virtual PA CareerLink workshops (thanks to whoever mentioned those!) and honestly, just being around other people in similar situations has been really reassuring. The facilitators keep emphasizing that our decades of experience are actually valuable - we have work ethic, reliability, and institutional knowledge that younger workers don't. I'm still hoping my company calls me back, but I'm slowly starting to accept that I need to prepare for the possibility they won't. Hang in there - we've survived decades in tough industries, we can get through this transition too!

Reading through all these experiences has been both eye-opening and reassuring - I had no idea so many people were dealing with the same callback date runaround! I'm 52 and was laid off from my packaging plant job after 19 years, with a callback that's been pushed twice already. What's really helped me is starting to think of this as a forced career opportunity rather than just a setback. I know that sounds overly optimistic, but hear me out - after nearly two decades at the same place, I'd gotten comfortable (maybe too comfortable) and hadn't kept up with what else was out there. Now I'm discovering there are actually quite a few companies in our area looking for experienced workers, especially in logistics and manufacturing support roles. The PA CareerLink folks have been great at helping me identify skills I didn't even realize were marketable. My advice: don't wait for that callback date to expire before you start exploring. Even if your company does call you back, having a better sense of your options and market value can only help you. And for what it's worth, I've found that most employers are actually impressed by long tenure - it shows loyalty and commitment, not stagnation.

Congrats on getting through the process successfully! Your timeline of 18 days gives me hope. I'm currently on day 12 of waiting for my claim to process (filed after getting laid off from retail). No open issues showing yet, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way. Quick question for anyone who's been through this - do they send any kind of notification when your claim gets approved, or do you just have to keep checking the portal? And is the first payment usually the full amount for all the weeks you've certified, or do they stagger it somehow? Thanks for sharing your experience - really helpful for those of us still navigating this stressful process!

Just wanted to add my recent experience to help others - I filed my PA UC claim in early February after being laid off from my manufacturing job. My claim processed in exactly 16 days with no issues, which seems to be pretty typical for straightforward cases right now. One thing I learned that might help newcomers: make sure your employer information is EXACTLY as it appears on your pay stubs, especially dates and company name. Even small discrepancies can trigger those "open issues" that slow everything down. Also, if you worked for multiple employers in the past 18 months, have all that employment info ready when you file - missing or incomplete work history seems to be a common reason for delays. The weekly certifications are super important too - I started filing mine the Sunday after I submitted my initial claim, even though it wasn't approved yet. When my claim finally got approved, I received back pay for all those weeks in one lump sum. Definitely made the wait more bearable knowing I wasn't losing out on any potential payments. For anyone stressed about the process - I know it's scary when you're counting every dollar, but most people I know who had clean applications got approved within 2-3 weeks. Hang in there!