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This entire thread has been so incredibly helpful! I'm currently on day 5 of "in progress" status for my first claim and was starting to panic about when I'd actually see money. Reading everyone's experiences here has taught me more about the UC process than any official resource. The variation in timelines is both reassuring and nerve-wracking - it's good to know that anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks can be normal, but the uncertainty is tough when you're unemployed and watching expenses pile up. I'm definitely going to set up those Money Network text alerts that @Leslie Parker mentioned and stick to checking once a day instead of every hour. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories - it really helps to know we're all going through the same confusing process together!
I'm so glad this thread has been helpful for you too! Day 5 of "in progress" is still well within the normal range based on everyone's experiences here. The uncertainty really is the hardest part - I think UC could save everyone so much stress by just being more transparent about their process and timelines. Setting up those text alerts is definitely a game changer, and the once-a-day check approach will help preserve your sanity. It's amazing how this community discussion has filled in all the gaps that the official UC resources leave. Wishing you a quick resolution - hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones who gets paid within the week!
As someone who just went through this exact situation last month, I can totally relate to the stress! I was in "in progress" status for 11 days on my first claim and was checking my Money Network card multiple times per day (definitely don't recommend that approach). What finally helped was understanding that first-time claims often get flagged for additional verification steps that aren't visible to us on the dashboard. In my case, they needed to verify my work history with a previous employer, but there was zero indication of this online. I ended up calling after 2 weeks using one of those callback services mentioned here, and the agent was able to see the hold and resolve it within 24 hours. My advice: "in progress" is definitely better than "pending" or having open issues, so you're moving in the right direction. Give it about 7-10 business days, and if nothing changes, definitely try calling. The waiting is brutal but you're likely very close to getting paid!
This is such valuable insight! 11 days feels like an eternity when you're waiting, but it's really helpful to know that hidden verification steps are common for first-time claims. The fact that they needed to verify your work history but didn't show that anywhere on the dashboard is exactly the kind of communication gap that makes this process so stressful. It's great that the callback service was able to get you connected to someone who could actually see what was happening and resolve it quickly. I'm currently on day 3 of "in progress" status, so I'll definitely keep your 7-10 business day timeline in mind before taking action. Thanks for sharing the specific details about your experience - it really helps to know what kinds of verification issues might be happening behind the scenes!
This whole thread perfectly captures the frustration so many of us have experienced with PA's waiting week policy! I went through the exact same thing about 4 months ago - saw that $0 payment and immediately thought I had somehow screwed up my application. Spent an entire day researching and calling numbers trying to figure out what went wrong before finally learning it was just "normal." What really gets me is that this is such a predictable point of confusion for literally every first-time filer, yet PA does absolutely nothing to explain it clearly. It would take them 30 seconds to add a simple note during the certification process or in confirmation emails explaining "Your first week shows $0 due to PA's mandatory waiting week - this is normal and not an error." Instead, we all have to go through the same unnecessary stress and waste time trying to figure out if we messed something up. It's almost like they want people to be confused and potentially give up on their claims. Really glad this community exists to help people navigate these poorly explained policies! Congrats on getting through the approval process - 6 weeks is brutal but at least the backpay finally came through. Hope your job search goes well!
This thread has been such an eye-opener! I'm currently 3 weeks into my first UC claim after getting laid off from my office job, and I had no clue about the waiting week until reading everyone's experiences here. It's honestly mind-boggling that PA doesn't explain this basic policy anywhere during the filing process - would literally take them one sentence to add "Note: First week is unpaid waiting period" somewhere obvious. The fact that every single person here went through the exact same $0 panic shows how broken their communication is. I'm definitely saving that Claimyr info and already started keeping detailed work search records based on the advice here. Really appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge - this community fills in all the gaps that PA's system leaves wide open. Hope my approval comes through soon without too many headaches!
I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago! The benefit year transition is definitely confusing but everyone here gave you solid advice. One thing I'd add - when you're filling out that new initial claim, be super careful about the dates for your temporary job. Make sure you report the exact start and end dates because any mistakes there can delay your approval. Also, if your new weekly benefit amount ends up being lower than before (which happened to me), you can sometimes appeal that determination if you think they calculated it wrong. The appeals process isn't fun but it's worth it if there's a significant difference. Hang in there - the whole system is frustrating but you'll get through it!
Hey Amina! I just went through this same exact thing about 3 months ago when my benefit year ended. It's definitely confusing but you're on the right track now that you filed the new initial claim. A few things that might help while you're waiting: 1. Keep a spreadsheet or notes of when you filed your new claim and any confirmation numbers - it makes it easier if you need to call later 2. Continue filing those weekly certifications like you did - even if the system seems glitchy, keep doing it every week 3. Start documenting your job search activities NOW even while waiting for approval (companies applied to, dates, positions, etc.) because they'll want that info once you're approved The 2-3 week timeline is usually pretty accurate for new claims. In my case, I got approved in exactly 16 days and they released all the weekly payments I had filed while waiting. The hardest part is just the waiting and uncertainty, but it sounds like you did everything right! Keep us posted on how it goes.
This is really helpful advice, Diego! I'm definitely going to start that spreadsheet - I already feel like I'm losing track of all the different steps and dates. Quick question though - when you say document job search activities, do I need to do that in the PA UC system or just keep my own records? I want to make sure I'm covering all my bases while waiting for the new claim to get approved.
I'm on day 14 of my review and this thread has been absolutely essential for keeping me sane! Reading everyone's experiences has helped me understand that 2-6 weeks is pretty normal, even though the waiting is incredibly stressful. After reading about all the missed document requests, I've been checking my dashboard messages religiously - found a request for employment verification on day 10 that I could have easily missed! It's honestly unbelievable that they don't send email notifications for such critical requests. I'm staying consistent with weekly certifications and work search activities even though the financial pressure is real. Thank you to everyone who shared their complete timelines, especially those who provided updates throughout the process - it really helps to see the full journey and know that most people do get approved eventually. This community support has been invaluable during such an uncertain time!
I'm on day 2 of my review and this whole thread has been incredibly reassuring! It's so helpful to see everyone's experiences and know that while the waiting is stressful, most people do get resolved eventually. I immediately checked my dashboard messages after reading about how easy it is to miss document requests - nothing there yet but I'm definitely going to be checking daily now. The fact that they don't send email notifications for critical requests is absolutely ridiculous! Thank you for sharing your timeline and for finding that employment verification request in time. I'm going to stay on top of my weekly certifications and work search activities from the start. This community has already been such a lifesaver for understanding what's normal in this process!
I'm on day 5 of my review and this thread has been such a blessing to find! I was starting to really worry about the timeline, but reading everyone's experiences from 2-8 weeks has helped me understand this is unfortunately just how the system works. After reading about all the missed document requests, I immediately checked my dashboard messages and thankfully didn't find anything yet - but I'm definitely going to be checking it multiple times daily now. It's absolutely insane that they don't send email notifications for something so critical! I can't believe how many people could have had major delays just because they didn't know to check that specific section. I'm going to stay consistent with my weekly certifications and work search activities even though the financial stress is starting to build. Thank you so much to everyone who shared their complete journeys and timelines - especially seeing the successful outcomes really helps with the anxiety. This community support has been incredible for navigating all this uncertainty!
Landon Morgan
This thread has been absolutely amazing to read through! I'm currently in week 2 of dealing with this exact same situation - filed my claim, got "processed" status but stuck at $0 with no determination letter. Reading everyone's experiences here has been such an eye-opener about checking physical mail vs. just relying on the online portal. I had no idea PA UC was still sending critical paperwork via regular mail with zero digital notifications in 2025! Like so many others, I've been obsessively checking my email and the online correspondence section while completely ignoring my actual mailbox. After reading all these stories, I'm definitely rushing home today to dig through my mail - I'm honestly scared of what important forms I might have missed or thrown away thinking they were junk mail. The 8 AM calling strategy that multiple people mentioned sounds like solid advice too. I've been trying to call at random times during the day and always get busy signals or that "call volume too high" message. It's both comforting and frustrating to see how widespread this communication problem is. Comforting because I know I'm not alone or doing something wrong, but frustrating because it shows how broken PA UC's system really is. Nobody should have to play detective just to access benefits they're entitled to, especially when already dealing with the stress of unemployment. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and solutions - this thread is more helpful than anything on the official PA UC website! I'll definitely update if I find any missing paperwork in my mailbox.
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Sara Unger
•You're definitely not alone in this! I just went through the exact same experience a few weeks ago - that sinking feeling of realizing you might have missed critical paperwork is so stressful. When you check your mailbox today, don't panic if you don't immediately see anything obvious from PA UC. Sometimes their forms come in plain white envelopes that can easily get mixed in with other mail or look like generic government correspondence. I actually found my missing form wedged between some credit card offers! Also, don't beat yourself up if you did accidentally throw something away - it happens to a lot of people and you can always call to request replacement forms. The 8 AM strategy really works - I got through on my second attempt that way. Just have your SSN and confirmation number ready because they ask for it immediately. This whole thread shows you're definitely not doing anything wrong - PA UC's communication system is just fundamentally broken and relies too heavily on outdated mail processes. Keep us posted on what you find!
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Logan Stewart
This thread has been such a lifesaver! I'm currently in week 4 of the exact same nightmare - filed my claim, shows "processed" but stuck at $0 with no determination. Reading through everyone's experiences here made me realize I've been doing everything wrong by only checking the online portal and completely ignoring my physical mailbox. After reading all these stories, I immediately went to check my mail and found a "Monetary Determination Questionnaire" from 3 weeks ago asking for additional employment history details! It was buried under a stack of other mail and I had no idea it existed since there was absolutely no notification online. The fact that PA UC operates like it's still 1995 - sending critical paperwork via regular mail with zero digital notifications - is absolutely mind-blowing when people are already stressed about unemployment. My online portal shows nothing in correspondence and gives no indication they sent anything important. I'm faxing the completed form back tomorrow morning and will definitely try that 8 AM calling strategy everyone keeps mentioning. This community thread has been infinitely more helpful than the official PA UC website or any government resources. You've all probably saved me weeks of additional confusion and financial stress! It's both reassuring and infuriating to see how many people are dealing with this identical systemic communication failure. PA UC desperately needs to modernize their notification system - nobody should have to become a detective just to access benefits they're legally entitled to. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and creating this unofficial survival guide!
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