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I went through something very similar last year - remote worker for a Colorado company while living in PA. The wage investigation issue is totally normal and usually resolves within 2-3 weeks. What really helped speed mine up was having all my documentation ready: W-2s, last few pay stubs, and a letter from my employer confirming I worked remotely from PA the entire time. One tip that saved me a lot of stress - set up text notifications in your PA UC dashboard if you haven't already. That way you'll get alerts when the wage investigation is resolved instead of constantly checking. Also, even though it's frustrating to wait, definitely keep filing your weekly certifications. Once the investigation clears, you'll get all your back pay in one lump sum. The system actually worked pretty smoothly for me once everything was verified!
That's really reassuring to hear from someone who went through the exact same situation! I just set up the text notifications like you suggested - I had no idea that was even an option. Having a letter from my employer confirming I worked remotely from PA is a great idea too. I'm going to reach out to HR tomorrow to see if they can provide something like that. It's such a relief to know that even though there's this waiting period, the back pay comes through once everything is sorted out. Thanks for sharing your experience - it definitely helps ease my anxiety about this whole process!
Just wanted to add another perspective here - I was a remote worker for a Nevada company while living in PA and went through this exact same process about 6 months ago. The wage investigation issue resolved in exactly 2 weeks for me, and I got all my back pay once it cleared. One thing I wish I had known earlier is that you can actually check the status of the wage investigation by looking at your "Determinations" section in the dashboard - it will show "Pending" until the investigation is complete, then it updates to show the wage determination. Also, don't panic if you see your weekly benefit amount as $0 during the investigation period - that's just temporary until they verify your wages. The whole process was actually much smoother than I expected once I understood what was happening!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been checking my dashboard obsessively and was getting worried seeing the $0 benefit amount, but knowing that's just temporary during the investigation makes me feel so much better. I had no idea about checking the Determinations section either - I just looked and can see it shows "Pending" like you mentioned. It's really helpful to hear from multiple people who went through this same remote worker situation with different states. Sounds like 2-3 weeks is pretty standard for the wage investigation timeline. Thanks for the reassurance that the process actually works once you understand what's happening behind the scenes!
I actually work as a benefits counselor and see cases like this fairly regularly. While PA UC is strict about voluntary quits, relocation CAN qualify if you can prove it created an "unreasonable commute." The magic number they typically look for is 90+ minutes each way OR if the commute costs exceed 20% of your gross wages. Since you mentioned 60 miles and 2+ hours with traffic, you're likely in the ballpark. Here's what I'd recommend: 1) File immediately - don't wait, 2) Document your attempted commute with specific times/dates, 3) Calculate total monthly commute costs (gas, tolls, wear/tear), 4) Get something in writing about your employer refusing accommodations, 5) Prepare for initial denial but appeal right away. The fact that you have a firm start date for your new job actually helps - it shows you're not trying to game the system. Good luck!
This is super helpful info from someone who actually works with these cases! The specific numbers you mentioned (90+ minutes or 20% of gross wages) are exactly what I needed to know. I'm definitely hitting both of those thresholds unfortunately. Quick question - when you say "get something in writing about employer refusing accommodations," would an email from HR be sufficient or do I need something more formal? I'm worried about asking for documentation after already quitting, but it sounds like it could be crucial for the appeal. Also, do you know if they consider the cost of childcare changes due to longer commute times? My daycare pickup situation became impossible with the longer hours.
An email from HR should be sufficient - they just need something showing you made the request and it was denied. Don't stress too much about asking for it after quitting; you can frame it as needing documentation for your records. As for childcare complications due to commute length - absolutely mention that! It's additional evidence that the commute created an unreasonable burden beyond just time and gas money. Document your old pickup times vs what the new commute would have required, any late fees you incurred, etc. The more you can show that the situation was genuinely unsustainable (not just inconvenient), the stronger your case becomes. Combined with your 60+ mile distance and 2+ hour commute, you're building a solid foundation for your appeal.
I actually just went through this exact scenario in late 2024! Bought a house about 50 miles from my job and had to quit due to the impossible commute. Initially got denied but won my appeal after 6 weeks. Here's what made the difference: I kept a detailed commute log for 2 weeks showing actual drive times (ranged from 1.5-3 hours each way depending on traffic), calculated that gas/tolls were costing me $450/month, and got an email from my supervisor confirming they couldn't offer remote work or transfer options. The hearing officer was actually pretty understanding once I showed I genuinely tried to make it work and had no other choice. Since you already have a new job lined up, that'll work in your favor - shows you're not trying to collect benefits long-term. Don't get discouraged if they deny you initially, the appeals process is where you can actually present your full case. Make sure to keep filing your weekly claims even during the appeal!
I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my claim in mid-March, got my eligibility determination letter two weeks ago, but my Money Network card is still empty and my payment status shows "pending" with a disqualification flag. I finally got through to someone yesterday after trying for days, and they confirmed that my claim needs to be "purged" to remove an old disqualification code that's conflicting with my approved status. But here's the kicker - they said they completed the purge while I was on the phone, but when I checked this morning, nothing has changed in my account status! Reading everyone's experiences here, it sounds like I need to call back and verify that the purge actually went through their system. The conflicting codes issue seems to be a widespread problem with PA's UC system. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have to fight this hard just to get benefits we're legally entitled to. @Dylan Mitchell I hope you get this resolved soon! Definitely try calling right at 8 AM - that seems to be the magic time to actually get through to someone competent. And make sure they confirm the purge is completed before you hang up!
@Lucas Bey That s'exactly what I m'worried about - them saying they did it but nothing actually happening! It sounds like we need to be way more aggressive about making sure they actually complete the process. From what I m'reading, maybe we should ask them to check the system again after they say they ve'done the purge, just to confirm the conflicting codes are actually gone? This whole situation is making me realize how broken their system really is. Thanks for sharing your experience - it helps to know others are going through the same thing right now!
I'm going through this exact same nightmare right now! Filed my claim on March 15th after being laid off from my manufacturing job, got my eligibility determination letter on March 28th saying I'm approved, but still haven't seen a penny on my Money Network card. Called UC yesterday and after being on hold for over an hour, they told me my claim needs to be "purged" to remove some old disqualification code that's blocking my payments. The rep said she would take care of it, but reading all these responses has me worried she didn't actually do it! The most frustrating part is seeing "eligible" and "disqualified" at the same time in my online account - like how is that even possible?? It's been over a month since I lost my job and bills are piling up. I'm definitely going to try calling right at 8 AM tomorrow and demand they do the purge while I'm on the phone so I can verify it's actually completed. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it's both comforting and terrifying to know this is such a widespread issue with PA's system. @Dylan Mitchell really hope you get yours resolved soon! This system is absolutely broken and they're basically forcing people to give up by making it so difficult to get what we're entitled to.
@Anastasia Sokolov I m'dealing with the exact same timeline as you! Filed mid-March, got my eligibility letter, but still nothing on my card. The eligible "but disqualified status" showing at the same time is the most frustrating thing - it s'like their system is having an argument with itself! Based on what everyone s'saying here, it sounds like we really need to push back when they say they ll'take "care of it and" make them confirm the purge is actually completed while we re'still on the phone. I m'planning to call at 8 AM tomorrow too and not hang up until I see the conflicting codes are gone from my account. This whole situation is such a mess - we shouldn t'have to become experts in their broken system just to get our benefits!
I just wanted to say how incredibly helpful this entire thread has been! I'm in a very similar situation - I have a family wedding coming up in May where I'll be out of state for about 8 days. Reading through everyone's experiences has really put my mind at ease about how to handle this properly. It sounds like the overwhelming consensus is to be completely honest about your availability, continue filing those biweekly claims even when answering 'no' to able/available, and the system will handle the transition back smoothly. I especially appreciate all the practical tips people have shared, like keeping screenshots of your filed claims, having work search activities ready for when you return, and being mindful of which specific days fall into which filing period. It's so reassuring to see that PA UC actually expects and handles these temporary travel situations well when you follow the proper procedures. Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their real experiences - it's made what seemed like a complicated situation much clearer and less stressful!
I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you too! It's amazing how much peace of mind comes from hearing real experiences from people who've actually navigated this situation. When I first started reading about unemployment rules online, everything seemed so intimidating and full of worst-case scenarios. But seeing all these positive outcomes when people just follow the straightforward approach - be honest, keep filing, and don't overthink it - really shows that the system works as intended for legitimate situations like family weddings. Your May wedding sounds wonderful, and now you can focus on enjoying the celebration instead of stressing about the bureaucratic side of things. It's threads like this that make these community forums so valuable - real people sharing real experiences to help each other out!
I'm also dealing with a similar situation - I have a wedding to attend next month that will take me out of state for about a week and a half. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring! It's clear that the key is just being honest about your availability and keeping up with those biweekly filings. What I'm taking away from this thread is that PA UC actually handles temporary travel situations quite well when you follow the proper steps. I was initially worried about creating complications with my claim, but seeing so many positive outcomes when people simply answer 'no' to able/available during travel and 'yes' when they return gives me confidence. Thanks to everyone who shared their real-world experiences - it's made navigating this much less stressful. Now I can focus on enjoying the celebration instead of worrying about my benefits!
I'm so glad this thread is helping you feel more confident about your situation too! It's really reassuring to see how many people have successfully navigated this exact scenario. What strikes me most is how consistently positive the experiences have been when people just follow the straightforward approach - honesty really does seem to be the best policy here. I was initially anxious about potentially disrupting my claim status, but all these real examples show that PA UC genuinely expects people to have legitimate family obligations and handles them appropriately. It's such a relief to know we can attend these important family celebrations without jeopardizing our benefits, as long as we're upfront about our temporary unavailability. Enjoy your wedding next month - now we can both focus on the fun parts instead of the paperwork stress!
Anastasia Sokolov
I'm so glad you got approved and shared your update! This whole thread has been incredibly informative. As someone who's been lurking on this community for a while, I really appreciate when people come back to update their posts with the resolution. It's so frustrating how the PA UC online system can show one thing when the reality is completely different - that "glitch" you experienced seems to happen way too often to be just a coincidence. Your persistence with calling really paid off. For anyone else dealing with performance-related issues, this thread is like a masterclass in what to expect and how to handle it. The early morning calling strategy, keeping documentation, and not trusting the online status are all gold nuggets of advice. Thanks for taking the time to help others going through the same stressful situation!
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Alberto Souchard
•@Anastasia Sokolov I completely agree about coming back with updates - it makes such a difference when you re'going through this stuff yourself! I m'new to this community but already seeing how supportive everyone is here. The glitch "thing" really does seem suspicious when it happens so frequently, especially with people s'benefits on the line. What really struck me about this whole thread is how many healthcare workers are dealing with these exact same issues. It sounds like there s'a real pattern with understaffing leading to performance problems and then UC claims. Really grateful for everyone sharing their experiences and strategies - definitely bookmarking this thread in case I ever need to navigate something similar!
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NeonNebula
This entire thread has been so helpful to read through! As someone who's currently waiting on a different type of UC issue (separation pay), seeing the real experiences and timelines gives me hope that persistence really does pay off. The healthcare staffing crisis angle is particularly eye-opening - it makes total sense that performance issues in that industry are often systemic rather than individual failures. @Charlee Coleman congratulations on getting your approval! Your willingness to keep updating this thread with your progress has created such a valuable resource for others. The fact that your claim was actually approved a week before the system showed it really highlights how unreliable the online portal can be. For anyone else reading this who's dealing with performance-related issues, the documentation tips and early morning calling strategy seem to be the key takeaways. It's also reassuring to see that PA UC does recognize when workplace conditions contribute to performance problems. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community support makes such a stressful process feel more manageable!
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Axel Far
•@NeonNebula This thread really has become an amazing resource! I'm totally new here but stumbled across this while researching my own PA UC situation (just filed last week for a layoff). Reading through everyone's experiences and seeing the actual timelines and strategies is so much more helpful than the vague info on the official UC website. The healthcare worker stories are really eye-opening - it's awful that people are getting penalized for performance issues when they're dealing with impossible staffing situations that are completely out of their control. @Charlee Coleman your persistence really paid off and I m'so glad you got approved! The system glitch thing is honestly infuriating but at least you didn t'give up calling. Definitely saving all these calling tips and documentation advice in case I run into any issues with my own claim. This community seems really supportive compared to other forums I ve'looked at!
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