IMPORTANT WARNING about the Money Network card!!! Watch out for the ATM fees!! They only give you ONE free ATM withdrawal per deposit and then charge $2.50 for each additional withdrawal!!! I lost $20 in fees my first month because I didn't know this and kept taking out small amounts. Better to transfer the WHOLE PAYMENT to your bank account with the one free transfer they give you per deposit.

I've been on the Money Network card for about 6 months now and here's what I've learned: The timing really is inconsistent, but most deposits happen between Tuesday-Thursday. What helped me was setting up automatic bill pay for a few days later than I used to, giving myself that buffer. Also, if you have any issues with delayed payments, keep calling PA UC early in the morning (like 8am) - you're more likely to get through then. The Money Network customer service is actually pretty good too if you have card-specific questions - their number is on the back of the card and I've never had trouble reaching them.

to answer ur first question - yes u will get all back pay if approved. i got a big lump sum for the 7 weeks i had to wait. just keep filing every week!!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Filed my claim in early February and still waiting on examiner review because my former employer is claiming I was terminated for "performance issues" when I was actually let go during downsizing. It's so stressful being in limbo like this, especially when bills keep coming. I've been keeping detailed records of everything and filing my weekly certifications religiously. Really hoping the 6-8 week timeframe holds true and doesn't stretch longer. Stay strong - sounds like we're all in this together!

One thing I learned is that sometimes banks hold UC deposits for a day even after Money Network sends them! I use direct deposit instead of the card and my credit union always holds UC money for 24hrs after they receive it. So that might add extra time too if you're using direct deposit. But with the Money Network card it should be faster.

I'm in a similar situation right now - got my transaction number yesterday but still waiting for the funds to hit my Money Network card. Reading through all these responses is really reassuring though! It sounds like 1-2 business days after the transaction number appears is pretty standard. I was starting to worry something went wrong, but it seems like this is just the normal processing time. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - it really helps to know what to expect when you're new to this system!

Update: I just completed my weekly certification and reported my work and earnings like you all suggested. The system calculated a partial payment since I only worked 3 days last week. This is so much clearer now - thank you everyone for the help! I'll keep filing and reporting honestly until I'm full-time, then I'll stop filing. Really appreciate all the advice!

Great to hear you got it sorted out! That's exactly how it's supposed to work - the system automatically calculates partial benefits when you're transitioning from unemployment to part-time work. You did the right thing by asking questions and reporting honestly. Best of luck with the new job, and hopefully you'll be full-time soon! 🎉

I just remembered something else important! When I was dealing with my self-employment issue, I made sure to answer the weekly certification questions properly. There's that question about whether you're self-employed or own a business - make sure you answer NO to this since you're no longer doing the freelance work. I accidentally answered YES the first week because I was thinking about my previous situation, and it created even more confusion. Be super consistent with your answers!

I went through something very similar last year! I had a small photography side business while working full-time at a retail store. When I got laid off, my claim was flagged for the same self-employment investigation. The key things that helped me get approved were: 1. I documented exactly when I stopped taking photography clients (had text messages and emails declining new bookings) 2. I showed that my W-2 job was clearly my primary income source 3. I was completely honest about the amounts I earned from the side work when they asked It took about 4 weeks total, but my claim was eventually approved and I got all the back pay. The waiting is super stressful, but based on what you've described (stopping the freelance work before your layoff, minimal income compared to your main job), you should be in good shape. Just keep filing those weekly claims and have your documentation ready when they ask for it!