I went through this exact same nightmare last year - 12 weeks stuck on pending with no explanation. What finally broke it loose for me was getting through to an actual UC agent and discovering there was a "separation issue" flag on my account that wasn't showing up anywhere in the portal. The agent was able to clear it in literally 5 minutes once we talked. The problem is getting through to someone who can actually see what's causing the hold-up. Since your state rep is backed up, I'd definitely try that Claimyr service Jessica mentioned - it worked for my cousin too. Also, make sure when you do get through to ask specifically "what verification or separation issues are preventing my claim from being processed" because sometimes the agents won't volunteer that information unless you ask directly.

I'm dealing with something similar right now - 8 weeks pending and getting nowhere with the phone calls. Reading through all these responses is actually giving me some hope though. I had no idea about services like Claimyr or that there could be hidden flags in the system not showing up in the portal. @Sophia Carson - I really hope you get this resolved soon. Your situation sounds absolutely awful and I can't imagine going 14 weeks without any income. Please keep us updated on what works for you because I think a lot of us are in similar boats. Also want to echo what others said about PA 211 - they helped my neighbor with emergency utility assistance last month when she was waiting on disability payments. Don't give up!

I just went through this same process about 6 months ago. My hearing took place on a Wednesday and I received the decision letter the following Tuesday - so exactly 6 calendar days. It showed up in my online dashboard the same day the letter arrived. The referee ruled in my favor since my employer couldn't substantiate their misconduct claims with actual documentation. One thing that helped me during the waiting period was calling the PA CareerLink office in my area - they have staff who can sometimes provide general guidance about the appeals process and what to expect. They can't tell you the outcome, but they were helpful in explaining next steps. Hang in there - I know the waiting is brutal but most decisions do come within that 10-14 day window others mentioned.

I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago after being laid off and having my employer suddenly claim misconduct during the appeal. The waiting period was absolutely nerve-wracking - I completely understand checking your dashboard constantly! In my case, the decision came 11 business days after the hearing. What really helped me manage the anxiety was setting up a daily routine instead of checking multiple times per day. I'd check my mail when it arrived and my dashboard once in the evening, then tried to focus on job searching and other productive activities during the day. Also, make sure you have your appeal strategy ready just in case - even though it sounds like you presented your case well, having a backup plan gave me peace of mind. The backpay once the decision came through covered all the weeks I'd been filing, which was a huge relief financially.

Just wanted to add one more tip that helped me - before submitting your direct deposit info, try logging into your online banking and copying the routing and account numbers directly from there instead of trying to remember them or read them from a physical check. That way you know they're 100% accurate. Also, some banks have slightly different routing numbers for electronic transfers vs. paper checks, so the online banking portal will give you the right one for direct deposit. I learned this the hard way when my first attempt got rejected because I used the wrong routing number from an old check!

Hey everyone! I just successfully set up my direct deposit yesterday and wanted to share a few additional tips that might help others avoid issues. First, make sure you're entering your info during regular business hours if possible - I've heard the system can be glitchy late at night or on weekends. Second, after you submit everything, write down the exact date and time you completed it so you can reference it if you need to call later. Third, if you have a joint account, make sure the name on your UC claim matches the name on the bank account exactly - even middle initials matter! I also kept my Money Network card active for one extra week just to be safe, and I'm glad I did because there was a one-day delay before my first direct deposit went through. The peace of mind was worth it! Hope this helps anyone still on the fence about making the switch.

I just went through this exact same situation last week! PA UC called me from 717-787-3547 which I'd never seen before, so I missed it too. When I called back the main number (888-313-7284), they told me they sometimes use different regional numbers depending on which examiner is handling your case. The agent said as long as you call them back within 48 hours of a missed call, it won't negatively impact your claim. They were actually pretty understanding about the spam filter issue since it's so common now. Hope this helps!

Pro tip from someone who's been through this multiple times - if you have an iPhone, you can actually add all the PA UC numbers mentioned here to one contact called "PA Unemployment" so they all show up as the same caller. Just edit the contact and keep adding phone numbers to it. I have 888-313-7284, 717-525-5160, 717-787-3547, and a couple others all saved under one contact. Makes it way easier to recognize when they're calling, even from different regional offices!

I'm in Pennsylvania too and just wanted to add that you should file your weekly certifications on the same day each week if possible - I usually do mine on Sunday evenings. The system can get really slow on Mondays when everyone is trying to file at once. Also, make sure you have a reliable internet connection when you're doing the initial application because if it times out halfway through, you'll lose everything and have to start over (learned this the hard way!). One more thing - if you get approved, your weekly benefit amount will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by anything you earn over a small threshold (I think it's around $60 in PA), so don't expect to get your full benefit amount every week while you're still working those 25 hours. But even a partial payment can make a huge difference when you're struggling to pay bills. Good luck with your application tonight!

I just want to say how amazing this community is! Reading through all these detailed responses has been so helpful. I'm currently dealing with a similar situation where my hours got cut from 32 to 19 per week at my cleaning company job, and I've been putting off filing because the whole process seemed overwhelming. But seeing everyone share their actual experiences - the good and the bad - has given me the confidence to finally apply. Special thanks to everyone who mentioned specific tips like using gross earnings, setting up direct deposit, and filing weekly claims on Sundays to avoid the Monday rush. It's really encouraging to see people who've been through this successfully and are willing to help others navigate the system. I'm going to gather my documents this weekend and file on Monday. Thanks for creating such a supportive space for people dealing with these stressful situations!