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?

I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of support here! This exact situation happened to me about a year ago and I still remember that sinking feeling when I saw the lockout screen. The stress is absolutely real when your financial stability depends on these systems working properly. I'm so relieved to see that you were able to get through on the phone system! That's honestly the best outcome for this situation. Your payment should process exactly the same as if you'd filed online - I had the same worry when it happened to me but there were no delays or issues. One thing I learned that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that you can actually sign up for text alerts through PA UC that will remind you to file your weekly claim a few days before the deadline. It's helped me avoid the Sunday rush completely since I get the reminder on Thursday and just file right away. You can set it up in your account settings once you're able to log back in. Also, just wanted to echo what everyone else has said about filing earlier in the week. I switched to Wednesday mornings after my lockout experience and it's been smooth sailing ever since. The system is so much more reliable mid-week and you have those buffer days if anything goes wrong. You've got this! The hardest part is behind you now that you've filed your claim. This community is amazing for sharing all these backup strategies that you just don't learn about until you need them!

I completely feel your panic! This exact thing happened to me about 3 months ago and I was absolutely terrified I'd miss my payment. The good news is you have multiple backup options that others have already mentioned - that phone system at 888-255-4728 really is a lifesaver and works even when you're locked out online. From my experience, the lockout is usually 24 hours but can sometimes extend to 48-72 hours if there were multiple failed attempts. The key is to NOT keep trying to log in during the lockout period or it resets the timer. I see you were able to file by phone which is fantastic! Your payment should process normally since you filed within the proper timeframe. After going through this stress, I completely changed my routine - now I file every Wednesday morning when the system is much more stable and there's no Sunday rush. Also wanted to mention that PA UC is actually pretty understanding about technical lockouts when it comes to late filing. If you ever can't get through by phone either, you can file late with "system technical issues" as your reason and they typically accept it without penalties. Save that phone number in your contacts for future emergencies - it's honestly been my safety net multiple times since then. You handled this crisis really well and found a solution under pressure! Definitely consider switching to mid-week filing to avoid this stress in the future.

To answer your original question directly - yes, you can call and ask for a waiver, but based on current PA UC policies, they're very unlikely to grant it in your specific situation. If you do decide to call, be prepared with documentation showing your current part-time status and the written confirmation of your full-time transition date (if you have it). The more documentation you have, the better your chances, even if they're still slim.

I'm dealing with something similar right now! I've been part-time since December and keep getting stuck doing these pointless job searches when I already have work lined up. What's really helped me is treating the CareerLink workshops like @StarStrider mentioned - they have virtual ones almost every day and they count as your work search activities. I've been doing things like "Resume Writing Best Practices" and "Interview Skills" workshops instead of applying for random jobs. It feels way more productive and you're actually learning something useful. Plus some of the networking events they host are surprisingly good for making connections in your field, even if you're not actively job hunting.

So glad you got this resolved! Your experience is a perfect example of why it's so important to know your rights in the UC system. Employers often try intimidation tactics or attempt to exploit any opening they can find, especially when they realize they missed their initial opportunity to contest a claim. The fact that your employer showed up at a backdate hearing trying to contest your entire claim shows they either don't understand the process or were hoping to confuse the situation. Good on the referee for keeping things on track and explaining that separate issues require separate appeals. This is also a great reminder for anyone reading - always document everything and know your timelines. Employers have the same deadlines we do, and the system does enforce them (when it works properly). Hope your backdate decision comes back positive!

This is such a valuable thread for anyone dealing with PA UC appeals! Your situation really highlights how important it is to understand the different types of hearings and appeal deadlines. I went through something similar last year where my employer tried to bring up issues at a hearing that weren't even related to what we were there to discuss. It's frustrating that employers sometimes try these tactics, but I'm glad the system worked as it should in your case. The 15-day appeal deadline is there for a reason, and it sounds like the referee handled it properly by keeping your backdate hearing focused on the actual issue. Your experience getting through to a PA UC rep is also really helpful - so many of us struggle with those phone lines! Thanks for sharing the update and congrats on getting the clarity you needed. Hope your backdate decision comes through soon!

I'm in week 4 of my examiner review and this thread has been so helpful for understanding what to expect! Filed in early February after being laid off during "company-wide cost reduction" but my employer is claiming I was terminated for "poor communication skills" - absolutely ridiculous. I have quarterly reviews showing consistent "meets standards" ratings for communication and even have an email from my team lead complimenting my presentation skills just a month before the layoff. It's unreal how employers can fabricate these stories when there's clear documentation proving otherwise. I've been keeping up with my weekly certifications religiously and have all my performance reviews and emails organized in case I need to submit additional evidence. The financial stress is definitely building but reading everyone's experiences here - especially seeing that people with solid documentation like performance reviews eventually get approved - helps me stay hopeful. Really appreciate this community for sharing timelines and supporting each other through this frustrating process. Has anyone else dealt with employers claiming vague "soft skills" issues when the real reason was clearly financial restructuring?

I'm in week 5 of waiting for my examiner review and this thread has been such a lifesaver! Filed my claim in late January after being laid off due to "organizational restructuring" but my employer is now claiming I was terminated for "insubordination" - which is completely false. I have my termination paperwork that explicitly states "position eliminated due to restructuring" and email chains with HR discussing the upcoming layoffs weeks before my last day. It's absolutely maddening how employers can just fabricate these stories to try to avoid paying unemployment benefits when there's clear documentation proving the real reason. I've been diligently filing my weekly certifications and keeping all my evidence organized in case the examiner needs additional documentation. The financial pressure is definitely mounting but seeing everyone's experiences here - especially those with solid proof eventually getting approved after 6-8 weeks - keeps me motivated to push through. Really grateful for this community sharing their timelines and keeping each other sane during this awful waiting process. The employer dishonesty is infuriating but at least we know we're not alone in dealing with these tactics!