This is such a valuable thread! I'm in a similar boat - just got approved for PA UC and considering some part-time work. Reading through everyone's experiences, it's clear that documentation is absolutely critical. I'm going to set up a spreadsheet to track everything from day one: date worked, hours, gross earnings, which benefit week it applies to, and screenshots of my certifications. The stories about audits and overpayments are genuinely scary, but it sounds like as long as you're meticulous about reporting ALL income (gross, not net) and keep detailed records, the system actually works pretty well for encouraging part-time work. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences - this is way more helpful than trying to decode the official UC handbook!

This thread is a goldmine of practical information! I've been hesitant to take on any part-time work while on UC because I was worried about messing up my benefits, but after reading everyone's experiences, I feel much more confident about understanding the 30% rule and proper reporting procedures. The emphasis on documentation really can't be overstated - I'm definitely going to implement that spreadsheet system with columns for work dates, hours, gross earnings, benefit week, and reporting date. One question I have: if I work multiple small jobs in the same week (like a few hours at my old restaurant job plus some freelance work), do I report the combined total earnings for that week, or do I need to break it down by employer somehow? I want to make sure I'm doing this correctly from the start to avoid any of those nightmare audit situations people mentioned!

I'm dealing with this exact same frustrating situation right now! Had my appeal hearing about two weeks ago and my dashboard has been showing "reversed" for the past 6 days, but every time I call they tell me no decision has been made yet. I was honestly starting to panic that something went wrong with my case until I found this thread - it's such a relief to see this dashboard/phone rep disconnect is actually normal with PA's broken system! It's absolutely mind-boggling that in 2025 different parts of the same government agency can't access the same basic information. I've been religiously filing my weekly claims as everyone here recommended, even though it feels weird certifying when no payments are coming through yet. The financial stress is real when you're behind on bills and groceries, but reading that "reversed" typically means we won our appeals gives me so much hope. Thank you for asking this question and thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and timelines - this community is a lifesaver when you're trying to navigate PA's confusing mess of a system!

I'm also going through this exact same situation right now and it's such a relief to find this thread! My appeal hearing was last Tuesday and my dashboard updated to show "reversed" three days ago, but when I called yesterday the rep said there's no decision in their system yet. I was starting to worry that something had gone wrong with my case until I read everyone's experiences here. It's honestly incredible that PA's systems are so poorly integrated that their own employees can't see what their own website is showing! I've been continuing to file my weekly claims like everyone recommended, even though it feels strange doing it without getting any payments yet. The financial pressure is intense when you're depending on these benefits to cover basic expenses, but reading that "reversed" almost always means we won our appeals gives me so much hope. Thank you for posting this question - it's so comforting to know this dashboard/phone rep disconnect is just how PA's broken system operates and not something specific to my case. Based on everyone's timelines here, it sounds like I should expect my official letter within the next week or so. This community has been incredibly helpful for understanding what to expect!

I'm in week 3 of the exact same "under review" nightmare and reading everyone's experiences here is both terrifying and oddly comforting. Like so many others, I've done everything by the book - completed ID.me verification, uploaded all documents, filed weekly claims religiously, doing my work searches. My separation was completely straightforward (seasonal construction layoff), nothing that should require weeks of mysterious review. The absolute worst part is the complete silence - no explanation, no timeline, no way to even know what's wrong. I've been calling constantly but it's always busy signals or those weird disconnections that make you wonder if they're even trying to help people. Based on all the advice here, I'm definitely going to try the 7:59am calling strategy starting tomorrow and also send that email to uchelp@pa.gov. It's absolutely insane that we have to become unemployment claim detectives just to access benefits we've earned. The fact that so many of us are dealing with identical invisible system issues really shows how broken PA UC is. Thanks to everyone for sharing what actually works - this community support is literally the only helpful resource I've found!

I'm in week 5 of this exact same "under review" nightmare and this thread is like finding an oasis in the desert! Like everyone else here, I've done absolutely everything correctly - completed ID.me, uploaded all documents, straightforward layoff from retail (store closure), been filing weekly claims and doing work searches religiously. The complete blackout of information is what's driving me insane - how can they expect us to just sit here indefinitely with zero explanation while our rent and utilities pile up? I've called probably 80+ times and it's always the same story: busy signals, mysterious disconnections, or that horrible hold music that suddenly cuts to dial tone. Reading everyone's experiences, it's crystal clear that PA UC has massive systemic issues with these invisible holds and verification problems that don't show up anywhere we can see them. I'm absolutely going to try the 7:59am calling strategy starting tomorrow and also send that email to uchelp@pa.gov that several people had success with. The fact that we need to crowdsource basic information about our own government benefits is completely insane, but I'm so grateful for everyone sharing what actually works. This community has been more helpful than the entire PA UC system! I'll definitely update if I make any progress with those methods.

For quarterly taxes on 1099 income, you generally need to pay if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year. But even with smaller amounts, it's often worth making estimated payments to avoid any surprises at tax time. For tax software, I've had good luck with FreeTaxUSA for handling both W2 and 1099 income - it's way cheaper than TurboTax and walks you through everything pretty clearly. TaxAct is another solid option. Both handle the Schedule C for self-employment income without making it too complicated. One more tip: set aside about 25-30% of your freelance earnings in a separate savings account for taxes. Even if you don't end up owing that much, it's better to have it saved than scrambling to pay the IRS later!

Just want to echo what others have said about keeping meticulous records - I learned this the hard way! When I was doing freelance writing while on UC, I got audited about 8 months after my benefits ended. They wanted to see proof of when I actually performed the work vs when I got paid, and luckily I had kept a detailed log with dates, hours, and project descriptions. One thing that helped me was using a simple time-tracking app on my phone to log freelance hours as I worked. That way I had precise records instead of trying to remember weeks later. Also, screenshot your weekly certifications after submitting them - I had one week where the system glitched and showed I didn't report income when I actually did, and having that screenshot saved me from an overpayment notice. The 30% threshold is definitely correct for PA. And remember, if you're doing graphic design work, you might want to look into whether you need any business licenses or permits in your area, just to stay fully compliant. Good luck with both the freelancing and job search!

I've been dealing with PA UC for months now and here's what I've learned about work search requirements: 1. You need 2 work search activities per week minimum 2. Your Indeed applications absolutely count - just document everything (company, position, date, method) 3. Use your existing CareerLink account - no need for a new one 4. Keep your own records but don't upload them anywhere unless asked Pro tip: I started doing one CareerLink search + one job application each week to make it simple. For CareerLink, just search for jobs in your field and save a few to your favorites - that counts as an activity and takes like 10 minutes. The phone system is absolutely brutal. I've had success calling right at 8am when they open, but honestly most questions can be answered by reading the UC handbook online. Don't let them stress you out - as long as you're genuinely looking for work and documenting it, you're doing what you need to do. Keep your chin up - we're all in this together trying to navigate their ridiculous system!

Sean, I completely understand your frustration! I went through the exact same thing a few months ago - spent forever on hold only to get disconnected by someone who clearly didn't want to help. It's maddening when you're just trying to follow the rules correctly. What you're doing with Indeed is perfect! Just make sure you're keeping detailed records of each application (which it sounds like you already are). I use a simple Google Doc to track: date, company name, position title, where I applied (Indeed, company website, etc.), and any confirmation numbers if I get them. Your existing CareerLink account is totally fine to use - definitely don't create a new one. I actually recommend doing at least one CareerLink search each week since it counts as one of your required activities and only takes a few minutes. You can search for jobs, save some to your profile, and boom - that's activity #1 for the week. Then your Indeed applications cover activity #2. The key thing is just keeping good records for yourself. You don't need to submit them anywhere, but if they ever audit you (which is rare), you'll be covered. Don't let their terrible phone system stress you out too much - you're clearly doing everything right!