I'm so grateful for this entire thread! I was just laid off from my retail job three weeks ago and have been feeling really lost about what to do next. Healthcare has always interested me but I never thought I could afford the training. Reading everyone's experiences here - especially Aisha's success story and Amun-Ra's career transformation - has given me the confidence to finally take action. I'm planning to call CareerLink tomorrow to schedule my appointment. Based on everything I've read here, I'm going to ask specifically about WIOA funding for Medical Assistant or CNA programs, bring all my documentation, and be prepared to be persistent throughout the process. One quick question for the group: For those who completed healthcare training through these programs, how supportive were your instructors about working with students who were career-changers versus traditional students? I'm a bit nervous about being in classes with people who might be much younger or have more recent education experience. Any advice for someone who hasn't been in a classroom setting for over 10 years? Thank you all for sharing such detailed, helpful information. This community is amazing!

Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who recently went through this process! I completed a Pharmacy Technician program through WIOA funding last year and now work at a hospital pharmacy. A few additional tips based on my experience: 1. When you meet with your CareerLink counselor, ask about apprenticeship programs too - some healthcare facilities offer paid apprenticeships for Medical Assistant and CNA roles that combine on-the-job training with classroom work. 2. Look into community college programs specifically - they often have more flexible scheduling options and stronger job placement rates than some private vocational schools. 3. Don't forget to ask about additional support services beyond tuition. WIOA can sometimes cover childcare assistance, work-related tools/uniforms, and even gas cards for transportation to classes. 4. Consider timing your training start date strategically. I started my program in January which meant I finished right when summer hiring picks up in healthcare - lots more job opportunities available. The healthcare worker shortage is real, especially in PA. I went from making $13/hour in food service to starting at $18/hour as a pharmacy tech, with clear advancement opportunities. Best decision I ever made! Don't hesitate to reach out if anyone has specific questions about the pharmacy tech route.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with a similar situation but with a twist - I have a conditional job offer that depends on background check clearance, with an anticipated start date of May 1st. The offer letter clearly states the start date but mentions it's "pending successful completion of background screening." Has anyone dealt with RESEA exemptions when the job offer is conditional like this? I'm worried they might not accept it since it's not a guaranteed start date, even though the background check is just a formality (clean record). Should I still try the UC-RESEA-EX form or wait until I get unconditional confirmation? I'm planning to call at 8 AM Monday either way, but would love to hear if anyone has experience with conditional offers and how PA UC handles those for exemption purposes. Thanks again to everyone who's shared their stories - this community knowledge is invaluable!

This thread is a goldmine of information! I'm in a similar situation - got my RESEA notice yesterday even though I have a confirmed start date with a new employer on April 21st. I was completely confused because three different UC reps told me I was exempt from work search requirements with my written offer. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that the UC-RESEA-EX form is the key. I love how this community has figured out what the official system couldn't explain clearly! The 8 AM calling strategy and getting email confirmation of form submission are brilliant tips that I never would have thought of. One thing I'll add based on my research today - I found that some PA CareerLink offices can also help with the RESEA exemption process if you're having trouble getting through by phone. The counselor I spoke with said they can sometimes expedite the UC-RESEA-EX form submission directly. Might be worth checking if you have trouble with the phone route. Thanks to everyone who shared their detailed experiences - you've probably saved dozens of people from unnecessary stress and potential benefit interruptions!

I'm going through this exact same thing right now! My claim was approved on Monday and it's been stuck on "in progress" since Tuesday morning. I was really starting to panic thinking my approval got reversed or something went wrong, but reading through everyone's experiences here has been such a lifesaver. It's incredible to see so many people experiencing this identical situation at the same time - definitely makes me feel less alone in the stress! The detailed timeline breakdown from @Aliyah Debovski was super helpful in understanding this is just their normal batch processing system, not a sign anything's wrong with our approvals. Still nerve-wracking when you're depending on the money for bills, but now I know to expect movement in the next couple business days instead of constantly refreshing the page. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences - this thread has been a huge relief!

I'm going through this exact same situation right now too! My claim was approved on Tuesday and it's been showing "in progress" since Wednesday morning. I was starting to get really worried that my approval somehow got reversed or there was a technical issue, but reading through everyone's experiences here has been incredibly reassuring. It's amazing to see how many people are experiencing this identical situation at the same time - definitely makes the waiting feel less isolating! The detailed timeline breakdown from @Aliyah Debovski was super helpful in understanding that this is just their normal batch processing system and we're all basically waiting in the payment queue together. It's still nerve-wracking when you're counting on the money for rent and bills, but now I know to expect movement in the next couple of business days instead of constantly refreshing the page hoping for instant updates. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this thread has been such a lifeline during the stressful waiting period!

This is such helpful information! I'm bookmarking this thread because I have a feeling I might need it someday. The fact that there are two separate portals for different types of overpayments is something they really should make clearer on the main website. It's crazy how many hoops people have to jump through just to pay money back to the state. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it's clear the system is confusing but at least there are ways to handle it online instead of risking lost mail.

Just wanted to add another tip for anyone dealing with this - if you're having trouble finding your PUA claim number that you need for the separate portal, check your old emails from 2020-2021. I found mine in the original PUA approval email. It's formatted differently than the regular UC claim number (starts with different letters). Also, if you can't find it anywhere in your emails, you can call the PUA-specific hotline at 855-284-8545 - it's separate from the regular UC line and usually has shorter wait times. They can look up your PUA claim number with just your SSN and DOB.

Congrats on finally getting approved! That 7-week wait sounds absolutely brutal. I went through something similar about 6 months ago - got approved on a Thursday and my direct deposit hit the following Tuesday (3 business days). Since you got approved Friday, you should see something by Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. The lump sum for all your back weeks is going to feel amazing after surviving on credit cards! Just keep checking that Payment History section in your dashboard and make sure to stay current with your weekly certifications and work searches while you wait. You've made it through the worst part - hang in there just a little longer!

Hey Kolton! First off, congrats on finally getting approved after that nightmare 7-week wait! I can't imagine how stressful that must have been with bills piling up and surviving on credit cards. I went through this exact same situation about 4 months ago and remember that anxious feeling of being SO close to relief but still waiting for the actual money to show up. In my case, I got approved on a Monday and the payment hit my account Wednesday morning (2 business days via direct deposit). Since you got approved Friday, I'd expect to see something by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. The great news is that all 7 weeks of back pay should come as one beautiful lump sum - after what you've been through, that's going to feel incredible! Keep obsessively checking that Payment History section in your dashboard (we've all been there!) and make sure your banking info is exactly correct in the system. Also definitely keep up with those weekly certifications and work search activities while you wait - you're so close, don't let anything mess it up now! You've survived the absolute worst part of this whole process. Just a few more days and you'll finally have that relief you've been fighting for!