I'm new to this community but wanted to share my experience since I'm currently going through something very similar. I was terminated from my job at a marketing agency in November for what they called "failure to meet project deadlines" but really it was because they kept piling on unrealistic workloads without proper resources or support. I initially won my UC benefits but my employer just filed an appeal and I have a referee hearing scheduled for next week. Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly educational and honestly given me so much hope. I had no idea about the UCBR appeal option or the fault overpayment waiver - those seem like crucial safety nets that most people don't know about. Diego, your situation with the lack of documentation sounds really promising for your UCBR appeal. It seems like these cases often come down to whether employers can prove actual "willful misconduct" versus just performance struggles. The advice everyone's given about documenting everything and requesting employer policies is gold. I'm going to make sure I have all of that ready regardless of how my referee hearing goes. It's so reassuring to see multiple success stories at the UCBR level from people who lost their initial appeals. This community has been more helpful than any official resource I've found. Sending good vibes to everyone fighting these battles!

I'm new to this community but wanted to reach out because I'm currently dealing with a very similar situation. I was terminated from my retail job last month for what they called "poor customer service" but really it was just me struggling to handle difficult customers without proper training or management support. I initially won my UC benefits, but now my employer is appealing and I have a referee hearing coming up in two weeks. Reading through this entire thread has been incredibly eye-opening and honestly has given me so much hope when I was starting to panic. I had absolutely no idea about the UCBR appeal option or the fault overpayment waiver - these seem like crucial protections that most people never hear about until it's too late. Diego, your situation with the complete lack of documentation from your employer sounds really promising for your UCBR appeal based on all the success stories people have shared here. The advice everyone's given about documenting everything, requesting employer policies, and focusing on the legal distinction between performance issues versus actual "willful misconduct" is incredibly valuable. I'm going to make sure I have all of that prepared regardless of how my referee hearing goes. It's so reassuring to read multiple success stories from people who won at the UCBR level after losing their initial appeals. This community has honestly been more helpful than any official PA UC resource I've tried to find. The fact that you all share real experiences and practical advice makes such a huge difference when you're feeling lost in this complicated system. Sending positive thoughts to everyone fighting these battles - we've got to stick together!

I went through this exact same nightmare about 6 months ago! Accidentally reported 30 hours instead of 20 and it completely locked me out of filing my next claim. The panic is real - I thought I had messed up my entire unemployment claim permanently. But like everyone else has said, you absolutely cannot edit or delete a submitted weekly claim. The only way is to get a human on the phone. I tried calling for almost 2 weeks straight and finally got through using the 7:55am strategy that others mentioned. The rep was actually super helpful once I explained it was an honest mistake. She fixed it in about 10 minutes and released my held payment. The key is having your actual pay stub ready and being able to clearly explain what you meant to report versus what you accidentally entered. Don't give up - these mistakes happen way more often than you'd think and they know the difference between honest errors and fraud attempts!

I'm new to this community but dealing with a very similar issue right now! I accidentally reported 28 hours instead of 18 on my weekly certification and now I can't file my current week's claim. Reading through all these experiences has been incredibly reassuring - I was honestly terrified that I had permanently ruined my unemployment benefits. It's amazing to see how many people have gone through the exact same thing and that the reps are generally understanding about honest mistakes. I'm definitely going to try the 7:55am calling strategy tomorrow morning with my pay stub ready. Thank you all for sharing your stories and tips - this community is a lifesaver when you're dealing with the stress and confusion of the PA UC system!

This whole thread has been incredibly helpful! I was in the same exact situation a few months ago and made the mistake of overthinking the "waiting period" language on PA's website. Like many others here, I thought I had to wait a full week before I could even apply. Ended up delaying my filing by almost 10 days and lost out on benefits I could have received. The key points everyone's mentioned are spot on: 1) File your initial claim immediately after your last work day - don't wait! 2) PA's benefit week runs Sunday to Saturday, so start your weekly certifications the first Sunday after you file. 3) You won't get paid for your first eligible week (the waiting week), but you still must certify and do work search activities. 4) Your first payment will come for your second eligible week. The system is definitely confusing, but this community really breaks it down well. Don't make the same mistake I did - file ASAP and save yourself the headache!

This thread is a goldmine of information! I'm someone who filed PA UC about 8 months ago and went through the exact same confusion. The "waiting period" terminology is so misleading - I almost waited a week to file too until a friend who had been through it told me to file immediately. One thing I'd add that I haven't seen mentioned yet: if you're filing online and the system seems slow or glitchy (which happens sometimes, especially on weekends), don't give up! Try again later the same day or early the next morning. The key is getting that initial claim filed as soon as possible after your last day of work. Also, once you do file, you'll get a PIN in the mail within a few days - guard that with your life because you'll need it for all future certifications and to access your account. Really glad to see so many people helping each other navigate this confusing system!

I'm going through something very similar right now with a chronic condition that's making my retail job impossible. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful - I had no idea about so many of these resources and strategies. One thing I wanted to add that my case worker at the local disability advocacy center told me: when you're documenting your accommodation requests, also include any informal requests you've already made. Even if you just mentioned to your manager that you're having trouble standing all day, write down the date and what was said. They told me that pattern of informal requests followed by formal written requests shows you were trying to work with your employer over time. Also, if anyone is dealing with this in the Philadelphia area, the Liberty Resources disability resource center has been amazing. They have benefits counselors who know all the ins and outs of PA systems specifically, and they're free. They helped me understand exactly how to phrase things in my UC application to emphasize my remaining work capacity rather than my limitations. The whole "able and available" requirement is scary when you have medical restrictions, but apparently it's not as black and white as it sounds if you approach it correctly. Hang in there everyone - this thread gives me hope that we can figure this out!

I'm a case manager at a disability advocacy organization here in PA, and I want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - timing is crucial for your situation. Don't wait until you're completely unable to work to start this process, as that can actually hurt your UC claim. Here's what I recommend for your timeline: 1. Get your medical documentation THIS WEEK - detailed letter from your doctor about restrictions and prognosis 2. Submit written accommodation request to your employer IMMEDIATELY - be specific about what would allow you to continue working (seated position, modified duties, etc.) 3. Give your employer reasonable time to respond (typically 1-2 weeks) 4. If they deny accommodations or fail to respond, then consider your options The key for UC eligibility is showing you made good faith efforts to continue working but were prevented from doing so due to your employer's failure to accommodate. If you just quit without requesting accommodations, UC will likely deny your claim as "voluntary quit without cause." Also, keep working as long as you safely can while this process unfolds - having recent work history strengthens your UC application, and you'll need those earnings for your benefit calculation anyway. One more resource: PA 211 (dial 2-1-1) can connect you with local emergency assistance programs while you navigate the benefits process. They often know about one-time assistance funds that can help with utilities or rent during transitions. Don't lose hope - with proper documentation and strategy, you have viable options here.

I'm also new to the PA UC system and this thread has been incredibly informative! I filed my first weekly claim yesterday (Sunday) and I'm banking with Citizens Bank. Based on all the experiences shared here, it sounds like I should expect my payment somewhere between Wednesday and Friday this week. I really appreciate how detailed everyone has been with their timelines and bank-specific experiences - it's so much more helpful than the vague information on the official website. I'm definitely going to set up those text alerts and double-check my direct deposit information like Jessica mentioned. It's reassuring to know that even though the first payment might take a bit longer, the system becomes very reliable once it's established. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences!

This thread is amazing! I've been searching everywhere for clear information about PA UC payment timing and this is by far the most helpful resource I've found. I'm currently waiting on my approval letter but wanted to bookmark this for when I get to the weekly claims stage. The breakdown of how different banks process deposits at different speeds is especially valuable - I had no idea that could affect timing by 1-2 days. Also really appreciate all the practical tips like setting up text alerts, checking the payment history section, and verifying bank account details upfront. It's clear this community really looks out for each other! Question for those who have been through this - is there anything else you wish you had known when starting the process that might help newcomers avoid common mistakes?