Just wanted to follow up and say THANK YOU to everyone who helped calm my nerves! My direct deposit hit my account this morning at 6 AM - exactly what you all said would happen. The "taxes withheld" status was indeed just showing that they deducted taxes, not affecting my payment method at all. For anyone else reading this later who might have the same panic - don't worry, the PA UC system is just confusing with how they label things but it works! Really grateful for this community helping first-timers like me understand the process.

So glad to see this follow-up! I was actually in the exact same boat last month - first UC payment with the confusing "taxes withheld" status and totally panicked thinking something was wrong with my direct deposit setup. It's such a relief when that first payment finally hits your account! The PA UC system really needs to work on their status descriptions because "taxes withheld" makes it sound like there's a problem when it's actually just showing you elected tax withholding. Thanks for updating us - it'll definitely help other newcomers who find this thread later!

Just wanted to add another tip that helped me when I was stuck in the lockout loop - disable any browser extensions you might have running, especially ad blockers or privacy extensions. I had uBlock Origin running and it was interfering with the PA UC site's login process. Once I disabled it and refreshed the page, I was able to stay logged in. Also, if you're using any password managers like LastPass or 1Password, try logging in manually without using the auto-fill feature. The PA UC system seems really sensitive to anything that might look like automated login attempts.

I went through this exact same nightmare last month! The PA UC system is so broken it's ridiculous. What finally worked for me was a combination of things: 1) Used Firefox browser in private/incognito mode, 2) Completely cleared all browser data (not just cache but cookies, stored passwords, everything), 3) Waited until mid-morning on a weekday to try logging in (seems like the system is less overloaded then), and 4) Made sure to type everything manually - no copy/paste, no autofill, nothing. It took me about 6 attempts over 3 days but I eventually got through. The key was being really patient and not trying to rush the process. Good luck!

Just wanted to add my congratulations as well! I'm brand new to this community and stumbled across your thread while researching my own UC appeal process. What an incredible journey you've been on - 2 years is absolutely mind-blowing, but your persistence really paid off! Your documentation throughout this whole process is going to be so valuable for others. The fact that you went from "VOTE IN PROGRESS" to "VOTE SUBMITTED" to actually receiving your approval letter gives such a clear picture of what that final stretch looks like. I'm especially grateful for the detail about the letter being dated just 3 days after the status change but taking nearly 2 weeks to arrive by mail - that's exactly the kind of practical info that helps manage expectations. Wishing you all the best with getting that backpay processed quickly! You've definitely earned it after such a long wait.

I'm completely new to this community and just wanted to say wow - what an incredible journey you've documented here! Reading through your entire experience from the initial 2-year wait to finally getting that approval letter is both heartbreaking and inspiring. As someone who's just starting to navigate the UC system myself, your detailed breakdown of what each status change means is absolutely invaluable. The fact that "VOTE SUBMITTED" essentially means the decision is done but you still have to wait weeks for mail delivery is exactly the kind of insider knowledge that helps newcomers like me set realistic expectations. Your persistence through such a frustrating process really shows that the system, while painfully slow, can eventually work. Thank you for taking the time to update everyone with your good news - it gives hope to others still waiting! Fingers crossed your backpay processes smoothly within those 14 days.

This happened to me last month when I was switched from direct deposit to paper checks out of nowhere. The first check was delayed but after that they came pretty regularly. Just make sure your address is updated. My story is a bit different tho cuz I was actually on my benefit year end (BYE) date and had to refile. Did any of you recently hit your BYE date? That could be related too...

Just wanted to update everyone - I called PA UC using that Claimyr service and finally got answers! The rep confirmed my check was mailed on Friday and should arrive by Wednesday. She also explained that this Money Network transition is happening in waves based on when your benefit year started. If your BYB date falls between the 15th-31st of any month, you're getting switched to paper checks first while they migrate your account. The whole process takes about 3 payment cycles, then you either get the new debit card or go back to direct deposit. It's frustrating but at least there's a clear timeline. For anyone still waiting, definitely call to get your specific mailing date - it really helped ease my anxiety about when the money would actually arrive!

I went through a PA UC phone appeal about 6 months ago and want to share a few things that really made a difference for me. First, when you upload your documents to the UC system, take screenshots showing they were successfully submitted - I had a panic moment wondering if my evidence actually went through, but having those screenshots gave me peace of mind. During the actual hearing, speak slowly and clearly. I was so nervous that I started talking really fast and the referee had to ask me to slow down. Also, don't be afraid to say "I don't recall the exact date" if you're not 100% sure - it's better to be honest than to guess wrong and hurt your credibility. One thing that caught me off guard was that my employer's HR person had a whole folder of documents I'd never seen before. Don't let this intimidate you - the referee will ask about anything that seems questionable or inconsistent. The waiting for the decision was honestly the worst part, but it sounds like you have solid documentation which is the most important thing. Keep checking your mail daily after the hearing because the decision letter is how you'll know if you need to take any follow-up action. Best of luck with your appeal! The process is stressful but having those budget cut emails should really help your case.

I went through a PA UC phone appeal about 8 months ago and won, so I wanted to share a few additional tips that helped me prepare. First, practice explaining your situation out loud before the hearing - I actually recorded myself on my phone telling my story and listened back to catch places where I rambled or wasn't clear. It really helped me stay focused during the actual call. Second, if you have any witnesses who can verify what happened (coworkers who were also laid off, supervisors who knew about the budget cuts), ask them if they'd be willing to participate in the hearing. You can request that witnesses be included when you submit your evidence. Third, keep a notepad handy during the hearing to jot down anything your employer says that contradicts what you know to be true. You'll have a chance to respond, and having notes will help you address their claims systematically. The fact that you have written documentation about budget cuts and your position being eliminated puts you in a really strong position. Most employers who falsely claim someone quit don't have documentation to back up their version of events. One last thing - after your hearing, you can still submit additional evidence if you discover something relevant before the decision is made, but it has to be truly new information that wasn't available before. You've got this! The preparation you're doing now will make all the difference.