I'm currently going through a Board of Review appeal too after losing my referee hearing (different circumstances - they said I was fired for attendance issues but I had FMLA documentation). It's been 4 weeks of waiting so far and the financial stress is unreal. What I've learned from researching this is that you absolutely need to keep filing your weekly claims even during the appeal - this was crucial info I almost missed! I called UC to confirm and they said if you don't file weekly during the appeal period, you lose those weeks even if you win the Board appeal. The waiting is torture but from what I'm reading here, people do win these Board appeals more often than I expected. Hang in there and don't give up - sounds like you have solid documentation of the harassment which is exactly what the Board needs to see.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago and WON my Board appeal after losing the referee hearing! My case was also a quit due to workplace harassment that my employer completely ignored. The Board doesn't hold another hearing - they just review all the documents, testimony transcript, and your written appeal arguments. What really helped me was being very specific in my written appeal about exactly which evidence the referee overlooked or misinterpreted. I included a timeline showing how I followed proper channels to report the harassment before quitting. The Board took about 6 weeks to decide, which was agonizing financially, but when I won I got a huge lump sum backpay. Keep filing your weekly claims during the appeal - that's critical! Don't lose hope, harassment cases can definitely win at the Board level if you have good documentation.

Wow, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm bookmarking this for sure. I'm currently between jobs and know I'll probably need my claim records at some point for apartment applications or whatever comes up. It's crazy how something as basic as "show me my own employment history" turns into this whole detective mission. The email search tip is brilliant - I just checked and I have dozens of those weekly certification emails going back months with all the payment details right there. It's wild that the easiest solution might just be digging through your own inbox instead of fighting with their broken website. Thanks everyone for sharing your real experiences instead of just the official "submit a request and wait 2 weeks" nonsense they tell you!

This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm currently dealing with a similar issue - need my 2024 claim records for a car loan application and the bank is being super picky about documentation. Reading through everyone's experiences, it sounds like the multiple-approach strategy is definitely the way to go. I'm going to start with the email search since that seems like the quickest option, then try CareerLink if I need something more official looking. It's honestly insane that getting your own employment records is this complicated, but I'm so grateful for communities like this where people share real solutions instead of just the runaround we get from official channels. The fact that different CareerLink locations have totally different policies is mind-blowing - you'd think there would be some consistency across the state! Anyway, thanks to everyone who shared their experiences here. This is exactly the kind of practical advice that actually helps people get things done.

I'm in week 6 of my PA UC claim and went through this exact same confusion! The terminology is so misleading - I was convinced for weeks that I needed to be doing formal job training programs or career workshops ON TOP of my regular job applications. What finally cleared it up for me was getting through to a PA UC representative (took about 15 tries calling) who confirmed that job applications ARE work search activities. Each application counts as one activity, and you need minimum 2 per week. So your 3 weekly applications definitely exceed the requirement! I've been using a Google Sheets tracker with columns for date, company, position, application method, and confirmation details. Takes maybe 1 minute per application to log everything, but it's been worth it for peace of mind. I also create a weekly folder in Google Drive and save screenshots of confirmation pages with clear filenames like "2025-03-25_Target_Cashier_Applied.png" The audit stories in this thread are scary but really highlight why good record-keeping matters. You're already doing great with your applications - just make sure to document everything consistently and you'll be totally fine!

I'm just starting week 1 of my PA UC claim and this entire discussion has been absolutely invaluable! I was completely panicking because I thought "work search activities" meant I needed to sign up for some kind of formal job placement services or attend mandatory career workshops, totally separate from just applying for jobs online. I've been applying to about 4 jobs this week but was terrified I wasn't meeting some hidden requirement. Reading everyone's explanations that job applications ARE the work search activities has lifted such a huge weight off my shoulders! The documentation advice is gold too - I was just casually saving some confirmation emails but clearly need to be way more systematic about it. I'm going to start a spreadsheet immediately and begin taking screenshots of everything. The audit stories are genuinely terrifying but really drive home why being organized from day one is so important. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and systems - this thread should honestly be pinned or turned into a guide for new claimants because the official PA UC website does such a poor job explaining this basic requirement!

did u make sure to look for work? they won't pay if u don't do the work search activities each week. i forgot to do it one week and they stopped my payments

This whole system is so frustrating! Just when you think everything is fine, employers can throw a wrench in the works with these bogus appeals. In my experience, even after an appeal is withdrawn, there's almost always some kind of delay. The UC system seems designed to make it as difficult as possible to get benefits we're entitled to. I would not just sit back and wait. Keep calling, check your portal daily, and document everything. And definitely follow up if you don't see movement in a few days.

I just wanted to add some practical advice for your appeal preparation since I went through this exact situation about 2 years ago. Beyond the documentation everyone's mentioned (which is absolutely crucial), make sure you understand the specific legal language they use. In PA, you need to prove you had a "necessitous and compelling reason" to quit - essentially that any reasonable person would have done the same. Your unpaid overtime situation is actually textbook constructive discharge, especially since it violates FLSA. Here's what really helped me organize my case: Create a simple spreadsheet with dates, what happened, and any evidence you have for each incident. This makes it super easy to reference during your hearing and shows a clear pattern. Also, when you're on the call with the referee, speak slowly and clearly - they're taking notes and you want to make sure they capture everything accurately. One thing that surprised me was how straightforward the hearing actually was. I was terrified it would be like a courtroom drama, but it was really just a conversation where I got to tell my side of the story with evidence to back it up. The referee asked good questions and seemed genuinely interested in understanding what happened. Don't let anxiety about the process stop you from fighting for what you deserve - with three kids depending on you, this is absolutely worth pursuing. You've got solid evidence and a strong case!

I went through almost the exact same situation about a year ago - denied for "voluntary quit" when my boss made work impossible after I refused unpaid overtime. The appeal process was honestly scary at first, but I'm so glad I didn't give up! Won my case after about 10 weeks and got all my back benefits. The key things that helped me: 1) Document EVERYTHING chronologically - I made a timeline showing how my supervisor's attitude and demands changed immediately after I said no to working off the clock, 2) Save every single text/email as evidence (sounds like you're already doing this!), 3) Focus on proving that any reasonable person would have quit under those conditions. Your unpaid overtime situation is actually really strong because that's wage theft - completely illegal under federal law. The referee will see this as your employer creating intolerable conditions through illegal demands. My employer didn't even show up to the hearing, which happens more often than you'd think when they know their case is weak. File that appeal ASAP and don't let the initial denial discourage you - it's just their way of weeding out people who won't fight back. With three kids depending on you, this is absolutely worth fighting for. You've got solid evidence and a legitimate case. Stay organized, stick to the facts, and you've got this!