Thanks everyone for all this advice. I contacted HR today and they confirmed they're processing my termination for "job abandonment" despite all my documentation showing I followed procedure. I'm going to file for UC tomorrow morning. I'm really nervous about the whole process but feeling better equipped with all your advice.

I'm so sorry you're going through this - it's incredibly stressful to deal with job termination while you're already recovering from surgery. Based on everything you've shared, you definitely have a strong case for unemployment benefits. The fact that you have text messages with your previous supervisor and doctor's notes proving you followed proper procedure is huge in your favor. One thing I'd add to the great advice already given: when you file your claim tomorrow, make sure to upload copies of all your documentation right away if the system allows it. Sometimes having everything in your file from the beginning can speed up the process. Also, keep detailed notes of every conversation you have with your employer from this point forward - dates, times, who you spoke with, and what was said. You mentioned feeling nervous, but remember that you did everything right here. This situation is entirely on your employer for not having proper communication between supervisors about approved medical leave. Stay strong and don't let them intimidate you!

Just wanted to add some perspective as someone who's been through this twice in PA. The system is definitely confusing, but here's what I learned: The key is understanding that PA has multiple "tests" you need to pass: 1. The 6x earnings rule (which you've clearly met) 2. The base year wage requirements 3. The timing of when those wages fall in the quarters What helped me was calling UC and asking them to do a "wage inquiry" over the phone before I actually filed. They can tell you exactly what wages they have on record for each quarter and whether you'd qualify if you filed on a specific date. This saved me from filing at the wrong time and getting denied. Also, don't forget that if you still have weeks left on your previous benefit year (which ends in October), you might be able to reopen that claim temporarily if you get laid off before then. Sometimes that's better than rushing into a new claim with insufficient base year wages. The alternate base year option is real but you have to specifically request it - they won't automatically consider it if your regular base year doesn't work.

This thread has been incredibly helpful - I'm in a similar situation and had no idea about the wage inquiry option! Quick question for those who've done this: when you call for the wage inquiry, do you need any specific information ready besides just your SSN? Like do they ask for employer details or wage amounts, or do they already have all that in their system? Also, I keep seeing people mention the "lag quarter" but I'm still a bit confused about exactly which months that covers. If someone could clarify the quarters breakdown (like Q1 = Jan-Mar, Q2 = Apr-Jun, etc.) that would be super helpful for planning timing. One more thing - has anyone tried using that Claimyr service that was mentioned? I'm definitely going to try calling directly first, but curious about experiences with it as a backup if the phone lines are impossible.

Regarding the thermometer disappearing - I just checked with a friend who works at the PA UC office (not officially speaking for them). She said they actually rolled out a small website update last week that's been causing the thermometer to disappear for some users. It's a known issue they're working on fixing. So in your case, it's likely just a display glitch rather than anything wrong with your claim.

Congrats on getting approved Isabella! This is a perfect example of why people shouldn't panic when the PA UC website acts up. I've been filing claims for 3 years and honestly that thermometer disappears at least once every few months for various reasons - system updates, server issues, you name it. The real info is always in your UC mailbox and claim status, not the pretty graphics. Glad everyone here could help talk you through it instead of letting you stress out for days!

this happened to my brother too but his problem was he kept using Safari browser. when he switched to chrome everything worked fine

This thread has been so helpful! I've been having the exact same issue for about 8 months now. Can log in fine but the reopen claim button either doesn't work or gives me error messages. I've called probably 15 times and always get the "system glitch" response with no real solution. Reading about the tier 2 specialists and account flagging makes so much sense - I had an overpayment issue that was resolved about a year ago, which probably triggered the restriction. I'm definitely going to call and specifically ask for a technical specialist to look at my account flags. Also going to check out that Claimyr service to avoid the endless busy signals. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and solutions! It's frustrating that we have to figure this out ourselves when the regular agents should know about these issues.

Just want to add one more important tip: the week in PA UC runs Sunday-Saturday. So if your last day is Friday, June 30th, you can file on Saturday, July 1st. Your first eligible week would be July 2-8, which is the waiting week (unpaid). Then your first payable week would be July 9-15, which you'd claim during your biweekly filing around July 23rd, with payment typically arriving 2-3 business days after that successful biweekly claim.

Hey Ravi, I went through this exact same situation last fall when my company announced layoffs in September but didn't actually let us go until November 15th. The waiting was torture but you absolutely cannot file until after your last day worked - I tried multiple times and kept getting the same error you described. Here's what helped me: I used those 3+ months to really prepare. I gathered all my employment docs, set up my PA Keystone ID, researched the work search requirements, and even started networking. When November 16th came, I filed first thing in the morning and everything went smoothly because I was so prepared. The peace of mind from being ready was worth the wait. You've got time to get everything perfect!