To follow up on your question about being able to do desk work: This potentially could make you eligible for UC benefits, but there are specific requirements: 1. Your employer must be unable to accommodate your medical restrictions 2. You must be actively seeking work within those restrictions 3. You must be able to accept suitable work if offered The key here is that you'd need to be actively job searching for positions that fit your current medical restrictions. Keep in mind that this can be complicated to navigate, and your eligibility would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

I went through something very similar when I was pregnant with my second child in 2022. My doctor restricted me from my retail job due to complications, but said I could do sedentary work. Here's what I learned: You may actually qualify for UC benefits since your doctor cleared you for desk work and your employer can't accommodate. The key is being "able and available" for suitable work within your restrictions. When you file, make sure to: 1. Get a detailed letter from your doctor specifying what work you CAN do 2. Document that your employer cannot provide accommodation 3. Be prepared to actively search for jobs within your restrictions 4. Keep records of your job search activities I was initially denied but appealed with proper documentation and won. The process took about 6 weeks total. Also check if you qualify for WIC and SNAP benefits during this time - they can help with basic needs while you're waiting. Don't give up! The system is confusing but there are options available.

This thread has been incredibly helpful to read as someone who just started dealing with PA UC issues myself. Malik, I'm so relieved you got your benefits restored - what a nightmare to deal with as a single parent! It's really eye-opening to see how many people have had similar problems with the CareerLink system crashing during RESEA scheduling. The advice about going in person with documentation seems to be the golden ticket. I'm bookmarking this whole conversation in case I run into similar issues. It's crazy that the system is set up to automatically punish people first and ask questions later, but at least this community exists to help each other navigate these bureaucratic minefields. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and solutions!

Wow, what an ordeal but I'm so happy you got it resolved! As someone new to this community, this thread has been incredibly educational. The fact that you had to physically go to CareerLink with your laptop to prove THEIR system was broken is absolutely ridiculous - but brilliant problem-solving on your part! It really shows how the UC system is designed to assume people are trying to cheat rather than recognizing legitimate technical issues. Your experience is going to help so many other parents who find themselves in similar situations. I'm definitely saving this thread as a reference guide. The community advice here about documenting everything, going in person, and not giving up really makes a difference. Thanks for sharing your journey and I hope your payment comes through quickly so you can focus on your little one instead of bureaucratic nightmares!

I'm in almost the exact same boat as you! Had my PA UC appeal hearing 5 days ago and the waiting is absolutely brutal. Reading through all these responses has been super helpful though - I had no idea about some of these tips like setting up USPS informed delivery or checking the dashboard more frequently for status updates. The one thing that's giving me hope is that pretty much everyone who felt their hearing went well ended up getting approved. My referee was also very thorough and professional, asking detailed questions but staying completely neutral. I was worried that all the questions meant something bad, but it sounds like that's totally normal. Definitely taking everyone's advice about continuing to file weekly claims - almost made that mistake myself! Also starting a detailed log of everything like some people suggested. The whole process is so stressful when you're already dealing with financial uncertainty, but at least we're not going through it alone. Fingers crossed we both get good news soon!

Going through this exact same waiting period right now! Had my appeal hearing 10 days ago and checking my mailbox has become an obsession. The referee was super thorough, asked tons of questions to both me and my former employer, but stayed completely neutral the whole time. Reading everyone's experiences here is honestly keeping me sane - it's so reassuring to know this anxiety and uncertainty is totally normal. Definitely learned some great tips from this thread like setting up USPS informed delivery (just did that!) and checking the dashboard more frequently. Almost made the huge mistake of not filing my weekly claims but caught myself after reading Mae's warning. The whole system feels designed to stress us out, but at least we're all going through it together. Really hoping we all get favorable decisions soon - the financial stress combined with not knowing is just brutal. Thanks to everyone for sharing their timelines and experiences, it really helps to know what to expect!

I went through something very similar in PA about two years ago. My advice would be to file your UC claim immediately based on your 15-year employer shutting down - don't wait any longer. Even though you're working now, you can still establish that claim and potentially get partial benefits since your new pay is significantly lower. Regarding quitting, PA is pretty strict about voluntary separations, but you might have a case if you can prove the job was misrepresented. The key is documentation - start keeping records now of everything that's different from what they promised during the interview. Save the original job posting if you still have it, and document specific examples of how your actual duties differ from what was described. The 90-minute commute each way could actually work in your favor if it wasn't disclosed upfront. PA has recognized excessive commute times as compelling reasons in some cases, especially when it creates financial hardship (gas, wear on your car, etc.) or interferes with your ability to maintain employment. My suggestion: file the UC claim now, document everything for 2-3 weeks while you're getting partial benefits, then if conditions don't improve, you'll have a much stronger case for quitting with good cause. Don't suffer in silence - the system does have protections for situations like yours, but you need to work within the rules.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now - left a job after 12 years due to company downsizing, took the first thing I could find, and it's been a nightmare. What I've learned from my research and talking to a PA UC rep is that timing is everything here. You should absolutely file your initial claim RIGHT NOW based on your 15-year employer shutdown. Don't wait another day. Even though you're working, you can establish that benefit year and potentially get partial benefits if your new wages are significantly lower than your benefit amount would be. As for quitting the new job, you'll need rock-solid documentation to prove "good cause." Start TODAY: - Save the original job posting and your interview notes - Document every way the job differs from what was promised (duties, schedule flexibility, etc.) - Keep a daily log of your commute times and costs - If there are safety issues or workplace problems, report them in writing and keep copies The 90-minute each way commute could actually be your strongest argument, especially if it wasn't disclosed during hiring. PA has ruled that excessive commutes can be compelling reasons to quit, particularly when they create financial hardship or weren't part of the original offer. My advice: File that claim today, work the system properly with partial benefits while you document everything, then reassess in a few weeks. You've got options - you just need to be strategic about it.

I had this same issue last year and actually gave up trying to change it after calling for weeks. Just a heads up - you might want to set aside about 10-15% of what you're getting now for taxes. I ended up using TurboTax and there's a specific section for unemployment income where you enter the total from your 1099-G form. It was painful but at least I was prepared for it.

I went through this exact same nightmare! After weeks of trying to call, I finally got through using the callback feature on the PA UC website - you can request a callback instead of waiting on hold. It took about 3 days for them to call me back, but when they did, the agent changed my tax withholding in under 5 minutes. Just a heads up though - they can only change it going forward, so I still had to deal with owing taxes on the first few months of benefits I'd already received. I ended up having to do quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties. The whole system is so frustrating, but at least once you get it changed, you don't have to worry about it anymore!