Just wanted to add my experience for anyone else going through this - I was in the exact same situation about 6 months ago where my employer didn't respond to PA UC's request. Like Romeo, I got approved within about a week of being told they didn't respond. The key things that helped me were: 1) Keep filing weekly claims even while waiting for the determination, 2) Upload ANY documentation you have about your separation to the dashboard immediately, and 3) Make sure you're doing your work search activities from day one. I see some people worried about appeals - while it's possible, it's actually pretty rare when you were legitimately laid off and have documentation. Most employers who don't respond initially aren't going to suddenly become super motivated to fight your claim later. The waiting is absolutely the worst part of this whole process, but based on all the experiences shared here, non-responsive employers usually work in your favor. Hang in there everyone - it does get better!

As someone who went through this exact situation last year, I wanted to share that non-responsive employers are actually pretty common in PA UC cases! I was also told my employer didn't respond and was approved about 5 days later. The thing that really helped reduce my stress was understanding that PA UC has specific deadlines for a reason - if employers can't be bothered to respond within their 10-day window, the system moves forward without them. It's not like they're doing you a favor, it's just how the process works. That said, I'd echo what others have mentioned about keeping up with your weekly filings and work search requirements even while waiting. The approval feels amazing when it finally comes through, but the real relief is when you see that first payment hit your account. Best of luck to everyone still waiting - based on all these stories, it sounds like most of you are very close to getting good news!

Just wanted to add my experience - I had a similar situation last year when I needed emergency gallbladder surgery and my employer wouldn't accommodate the recovery time. I was terrified about applying for UC after quitting, but it worked out. A few tips based on what I learned: - Keep copies of EVERYTHING. I screenshot all my text messages with my supervisor and printed every email. The UC examiner specifically asked about my documentation during the phone interview. - When you file, be very clear that you exhausted all options before quitting. I listed every accommodation I offered (working different shifts, finding coverage, taking unpaid leave, etc.) and how each was rejected. - Don't be discouraged if it takes a while. My claim was in "open issue" status for about 4 weeks while they investigated. The waiting was stressful but I eventually got approved and received all the back pay. The fact that you have everything documented and tried so many alternatives before quitting really strengthens your case. Medical necessity is taken seriously by PA UC, especially when you can prove you made good faith efforts to keep your job. Stay strong - you did everything right in an impossible situation!

I'm going through something really similar right now! Had to quit my job at a warehouse because they wouldn't give me time off for a knee surgery that I've been putting off for months. My supervisor kept saying "we're short-staffed" and "can't you just work through it?" - like seriously?? Reading through all these responses is giving me so much hope. I was terrified I'd automatically get denied for quitting voluntarily. I saved all my text messages where I asked for the time off and where my boss basically told me to choose between my health and my job. One thing I'm wondering - has anyone dealt with an employer who might lie about what happened during the UC investigation? I'm worried my old boss might tell them I never asked for time off or something crazy like that. But I guess that's why having all the documentation is so important, right? Thanks for posting this question @KylieRose - you're helping more people than just yourself! And good luck with your surgery and recovery. You absolutely did the right thing putting your health first.

One more thing that might help your brother - if he's having trouble with the PA UC website (which happens a lot, especially on filing days), he can also file by phone using the automated system. The number is 888-313-7284. It's available 24/7 and sometimes works when the website is down. I've had to use it a few times when the site crashed right before my filing deadline. The phone system walks you through the same questions as the website, just takes a bit longer. Also, make sure he keeps screenshots or notes of his confirmation numbers every time he files - having that record has saved me when there were system glitches and my filing didn't go through properly.

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm a newcomer here and actually going through the PA UC process myself right now after being laid off from my retail job last week. Reading through all these responses has cleared up so much confusion I had about the biweekly filing vs payment schedule. I was especially confused about the work search requirements - I thought it was just 2 activities total per filing period but now I understand it's 2 per week (so 4 total every two weeks). That's a big difference! Also really glad to know about the phone filing option and the tip about filing early in the morning to avoid website crashes. One question - does anyone know if volunteer work counts toward the work search requirement, or does it have to be paid job applications only?

I'm currently on day 11 of waiting for my employer response and this thread has been incredibly reassuring! Reading everyone's timelines (especially @Freya Andersen getting approved in 9 days) helps so much when you're in the middle of the anxiety-inducing wait. I've been following all the advice here - filing weekly certifications from day 1, set up text alerts, checking correspondence daily. It's amazing how much more helpful real people's experiences are compared to the vague official PA UC information. For anyone else waiting, this thread really shows that 9-14 days seems to be the normal range, so we just need to be patient. The weekly certification tip alone probably saved me from losing benefits - I had no idea you needed to start those right away! Fingers crossed I see a status change in the next few days. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and creating what's basically become the best PA UC resource online!

Just wanted to add my recent experience to this incredibly helpful thread! I filed my PA UC claim about 2 weeks ago and got approved yesterday after exactly 13 days - right in that typical 9-14 day range everyone's been mentioning. My employer (a large retail chain) took 8 days to respond, then it was another 5 days for the UC examiner to process everything. The waiting was absolutely brutal, especially around day 10-11 when you start wondering if something went wrong. But like everyone has emphasized here - filing those weekly certifications from day 1 was crucial! I also set up the text alerts which saved my sanity from constantly checking the dashboard. For anyone currently in the waiting phase, this thread really does have all the best advice. The correspondence section tip helped me catch an important message I would have missed otherwise. Thanks to everyone who shared their timelines - it really helps knowing you're not alone in this stressful process!

I spent 2 hours looking for my case ID last week!!! It's NOT on the dashboard like some ppl are saying. The case ID is ONLY on the actual determination letter they mail you or that shows up in your correspondence inbox. Don't waste time looking anywhere else! And make sure you're looking at the right letter - each issue gets its own case ID so if you have multiple issues you'll have multiple case IDs!!

Just went through this exact same thing last month! The terminology is so confusing - I called 5 times and got different answers each time. What finally worked for me was logging into my account, going to "Correspondence" and looking for ANY letter that mentioned my specific issue (like delayed payments, eligibility review, etc.). The Case ID will be right at the top of that letter starting with "B". If you haven't gotten any determination letters yet, try calling with just your Claim ID from the dashboard - sometimes that's all they actually need depending on what you're calling about. Good luck getting through!