Thanks everyone for the information! I'm going to file early Sunday morning and make sure all my work search requirements are perfect. I'll also talk to my landlord to see if I can get a few days extension just in case the payment is delayed. Really appreciate all the advice!

Great advice from everyone here! I went through this exact situation during Memorial Day weekend and my payment was delayed by 3 business days. One thing I'd add is to screenshot your weekly certification confirmation after you submit it on Sunday - sometimes the system glitches during high-volume periods and having that proof can save you headaches if there are any issues. Also, if you're really tight on money, some food banks and community organizations have special holiday assistance programs that can help bridge the gap during payment delays. Hope your payment comes through smoothly!

One thing nobody mentioned yet - when you file your claim online, save or print EVERY screen. The PA UC website is notorious for glitches where your information disappears. Also, after you file, you'll need to register with PA CareerLink and do your weekly work search activities (apply to at least 2 jobs each week). They're really strict about that part.

I want to add something important that might help your case - make sure you keep detailed records of any medical documentation related to your back and knee problems. If you have doctor's notes, physical therapy records, or any written communication with your employer about needing accommodations, gather all of that together. The fact that you were trying to work around your physical limitations with reasonable solutions (like the stool) shows you were making good faith efforts to do your job effectively. Also, when you describe the situation to UC, focus on the facts: you have documented physical limitations, you attempted reasonable self-accommodation, your employer denied this accommodation citing safety concerns, and then you were terminated shortly after with vague complaints about "attitude" that specifically targeted older employees. This creates a clear timeline that supports your case. One more thing - if you have any coworkers who witnessed the comments about "older cashiers" or saw you trying to accommodate your physical needs, ask if they'd be willing to provide statements. Witness testimony can be very valuable in both UC determinations and potential discrimination cases.

PA school employee here with some clarification. For snow days, the key factors UC considers are: 1. Whether you have "reasonable assurance" of returning to work (most school employees do) 2. If your hours/pay were reduced by at least 35% during a benefit week 3. Whether your work agreement specifically addresses snow days If you're an hourly employee with no contractual protection for snow days, AND your weekly earnings dropped significantly, file a claim for just those specific weeks. You'll need to report any earnings from days you did work that week. Many school districts have alternate policies for hourly staff during snow days - some offer makeup hours, some provide alternative duties, and some might have a limited number of paid snow days. Check your employee handbook or speak with HR before filing.

I'm in a similar situation as a substitute teacher in PA. What I've learned from my experience is that you should definitely keep detailed records of your lost hours and wages for each week. Take screenshots of your pay stubs showing the reduced hours, and document which specific days were snow days. When you file, be very clear that you're filing for "partial unemployment" due to reduced hours, not regular unemployment. Also, don't be discouraged if your first claim gets denied - you can appeal and provide more documentation. The appeals process sometimes results in different outcomes than the initial review. Good luck!

UPDATE: I was finally able to reach someone at the fraud department! After about 50 attempts over two days, I got through. The agent confirmed someone tried to file a fraudulent claim using my info in 2021. They added notes to my account about the identity theft and told me my current claim should process normally, but might take an extra week for review. They're also sending me a form to fill out to officially document the fraud. Thanks everyone for the advice and help!

So glad you were able to get through and get this resolved! 50 attempts is ridiculous but unfortunately typical for PA UC phone lines. The fact that they're proactively adding notes to your account is a good sign - it shows they're taking the identity theft seriously. That extra week of review time is totally worth it for the peace of mind. Keep us posted on how your claim progresses, and definitely follow through on that fraud documentation form. Your experience might help other people in similar situations!

Keep in mind that even after the hearing, the referee has 14 days to issue a decision, though many come sooner. The entire process from appeal to decision typically ranges from 4-8 weeks depending on current caseload. Document everything and be extremely prepared for your hearing. I'd recommend writing out your key points beforehand so you don't forget anything important when you're nervous during the hearing.

Just went through this process myself - got my acknowledgement letter in February and had my hearing exactly 3.5 weeks later. One thing I wish someone had told me earlier is to start preparing your evidence NOW while you're waiting. I created a simple timeline document with dates, what happened, and who was present for each event. Also gathered my employee handbook, any emails about the layoff, and my termination paperwork. Having everything organized made the hearing so much less stressful. The waiting is the hardest part but use that time productively to build your case. You got this!