This helps a ton! I updated my LinkedIn and looked at a couple job boards the day after being laid off, so I'll document those. Thanks for all the great advice - feeling much more confident about filing now.

Just went through this exact same situation a few months ago! The key thing to remember is that PA UC is actually pretty straightforward once you understand the weekly structure. Since you were laid off Wednesday, you'll report that as your last day worked and include your Mon-Wed earnings for that benefit week. The login delays are unfortunately super common - I had the same issue and it didn't affect my claim at all. The system automatically calculates your partial week benefits based on what you earned versus what you would have earned for the full week. Don't stress too much about the timing of when you filed - as long as it's within a reasonable timeframe (which yours definitely is), you'll be fine. The most important thing is being accurate about your last work day and earnings.

Thanks everyone for the info! At least now I understand what's happening. Still annoyed I have to wait so long for that first week payment, but at least I know I'll get it eventually. I'll keep claiming my weeks and hope the second week payment comes through soon.

I went through the same thing when I first started claiming! That "Not Applicable" status is definitely confusing - I thought there was an error with my claim too. Just to add to what others have said, make sure you keep track of when your benefit year started because that waiting week payment will come exactly one year later (or when you exhaust benefits if that happens first). I set a reminder in my phone so I wouldn't forget about it. Also, your second week should process normally and you should see that payment within a few days if there are no other issues with your claim.

I just went through this exact same situation last month! When I first saw those "Conversion Employer" entries, I literally called in sick to work the next day because I was so stressed thinking my claim was compromised. Spent the entire day trying to reach someone at PA UC (impossible, of course) before finally finding helpful threads like this one. It's absolutely inexcusable that PA UC hasn't added a simple explanation for something that clearly confuses EVERYONE who files for the first time. They could prevent so much anxiety with just a basic tooltip or FAQ link right on that page. I really hope they're reading feedback like this and will eventually make this simple but crucial improvement to their system!

I'm so grateful to have found this thread! I just filed my initial claim yesterday and was already anxious about the weekly certification process. Reading everyone's experiences with these "Conversion Employer" placeholders is incredibly helpful - I would have definitely panicked seeing those mysterious entries without this context. It's really disappointing that PA UC hasn't addressed what's clearly a widespread source of confusion. Adding a simple explanation like "These are system placeholders and do not affect your claim" would save so many people from unnecessary stress during an already difficult time. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories, especially @Mei Liu for asking the question that apparently every new UC claimant needs answered!

I'm in a very similar situation and this thread has been incredibly helpful in clearing up the confusion I've been experiencing. My UC benefits are ending in about 10 days and I've also gotten completely different answers from agents - one said there might be extensions, another said definitely not. It's so stressful when you can't get reliable information during an already difficult time. Based on all the responses here, it's now crystal clear that Extended Benefits aren't available in PA because our unemployment rate isn't high enough to trigger them. I'm an accountant who's been searching for 4 months since my firm downsized. The professional job market has been really tough with so much competition for every position. I think I'm going to have to start looking at bookkeeping or administrative temp work to bridge the gap while continuing my search for a permanent accounting role. Has anyone had experience with seasonal tax preparation work? With tax season coming up, that might be a short-term option that keeps me in my field somewhat. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and especially to those who provided the detailed explanations about how the EB system actually works.

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My UC benefits are ending in just over a week and I've been getting completely different answers every time I call. Yesterday one agent told me there were definitely no extensions available, but then when I called back today about a different issue, that agent mentioned something about possibly qualifying for additional weeks. It's so confusing and stressful when you're already worried about finding work. Based on all the detailed responses here, it's finally clear that Extended Benefits aren't triggered in PA because our unemployment rate is too low. I'm a teacher and have been searching for 5 months since budget cuts eliminated my position. The education job market is really tough right now with so many districts cutting staff. I think I'm going to have to start looking at substitute teaching or tutoring work to bridge the gap while I continue searching for a permanent teaching position. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences - it's both reassuring and frustrating to know we're all dealing with the same confusing information from UC agents!

Been on PA UC for about 8 weeks now and can confirm everything people are saying here is accurate! I use Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and direct company applications - never touched CareerLink once and have had zero issues. For anyone starting out, here's what I wish I'd known from day 1: - Set up your tracking system BEFORE you start applying (learned this the hard way) - Take screenshots of EVERYTHING - confirmation pages, application submissions, even the job posting itself - Create a dedicated email folder for all job-related correspondence - The UC-304 form mentioned earlier is a lifesaver - I fill it out every Friday after completing my weekly applications One thing I haven't seen mentioned: if you apply through a company's website directly (not through a job board), make sure to note that in your records. During my brief call with PA UC, they mentioned they like to see variety in application methods, not just job board applications. Also, don't stress too much about the audit thing - yes, keep good records, but most people never get audited. The key is just being consistent with whatever system you choose. I use a simple Excel spreadsheet plus screenshot folder and it's worked great so far. The whole process is way less scary once you get into a routine with it!

Just wanted to jump in as someone who's been dealing with PA UC for the past 3 months - all the advice here is spot on! I've been using Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, and company career pages exclusively (CareerLink is honestly terrible). A few additional tips that have helped me stay organized: - I use a simple Google Sheets template with columns for Date, Company, Position, Source (Indeed/LinkedIn/etc), Application Method, and Status - For screenshots, I save the application confirmation AND the original job posting in case the posting gets taken down later - I set aside 2-3 hours every Monday to do all my applications for the week, then update my tracking sheet immediately after each one The weekly certification really is just a yes/no question - takes like 30 seconds. I've never been audited but I know my records are solid if it happens. The most important thing is just being consistent with whatever system works for you. One thing that surprised me: PA UC actually encourages using multiple job sites because it shows you're making a "good faith effort" to find work. So definitely don't feel like you need to stick to CareerLink!