So glad you got through and got it resolved! I've been dealing with a similar card activation issue but haven't had the courage to call yet after reading all these horror stories. Your success gives me hope that it's actually possible to reach someone if you time it right. Going to try the 7:59am strategy tomorrow morning. Thanks for updating us on how it worked out - really helpful for others who might be going through the same thing!

This is such a common issue and it's so frustrating that PA UC doesn't make the activation process clearer when they send out the cards! I went through something similar a few months ago but with a different twist - my card got damaged in the mail and I didn't realize it wouldn't work until my payment bounced back. One thing I learned is that you can actually check the status of returned payments through the online portal under "Payment History" - it will show as "Returned" with the reason. This helped me confirm what happened before I called. Also, once you get this sorted out, I'd recommend setting up the Money Network mobile app and enabling notifications so you know immediately when payments hit your card. Really hope the 3-5 day timeline they gave you holds up! The waiting is always the worst part when you're counting on that money for bills.

One important point I haven't seen mentioned: There are multiple types of qualifying work search activities, not just job applications. For someone with a return date, the easiest options might be: 1. Creating or updating profiles on employment websites (PA CareerLink, Indeed, etc.) - this counts as one activity per site, but you can only claim each site once during your benefit year 2. Taking a civil service test or job skills test 3. Participating in a job search seminar or workshop (many are available online through CareerLink) These activities often require less commitment than actual job applications while still satisfying the requirements. Just make sure he documents dates, times, and specific details of each activity.

I just went through this exact situation last summer! My husband works roofing and gets laid off every winter with a guaranteed spring return date. Unfortunately, PA doesn't care about return dates - he still had to do the job search requirements every single week. What worked for us was a mix of approaches: he'd apply to 1-2 actual construction jobs (even though he wasn't planning to take them), and then do other qualifying activities like updating his LinkedIn profile, taking online safety courses through OSHA, or attending virtual job fairs. The key is keeping detailed records - I made him a simple spreadsheet to track dates, activities, and any confirmation emails. It's annoying but just treat it like a small weekly task. Better to do it and stay compliant than risk any issues with your benefits!

I've been following this thread and wanted to share some additional resources that might help everyone dealing with penalty weeks. First, Pennsylvania has a "good cause" provision for late reporting that can sometimes reduce penalties if you can prove the delay was due to circumstances beyond your control (illness, family emergency, etc.). Also, when you file your appeal, consider requesting an in-person hearing if possible - sometimes being face-to-face (or at least on video) helps humanize your situation vs just a phone call. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor has a guide on appeals that's actually pretty helpful if you search for "UC Appeals Process PA" on their website. One more thing - if you're struggling financially during penalty weeks, check with local food banks and emergency assistance programs. Many communities have resources specifically for people dealing with unemployment issues. This situation is temporary even though it feels overwhelming right now. Stay strong everyone!

I went through this exact same situation about 8 months ago - also got hit with 6 penalty weeks for late reporting of part-time income. I know how panicked you must be feeling right now! The good news is that I successfully appealed and got it reduced to 3 weeks. Here's what worked for me: I gathered all my previous weekly claim confirmations to show I had a clean reporting history, wrote a detailed timeline of when I worked vs when I reported, and brought documentation from my employer confirming the work dates. During the hearing, I was completely honest about forgetting to report and emphasized that I've always been compliant before. The hearing officer appreciated that I took responsibility and showed it was genuinely an oversight. Definitely file that appeal ASAP and keep certifying weekly during the penalty period. Even if you only get a partial reduction, it's worth fighting for. The stress is real but you can get through this!

Wow, this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently on week 22 and can already see I'm going to have around $520 left in my balance when I hit the 26-week limit. Reading Grace's overpayment horror story really opened my eyes - I was actually planning to file that extra week since the system would let me, but now I definitely won't risk it. It's so frustrating that PA's system is designed in a way that creates this leftover money you can't access. You'd think they could calculate the weekly amount to perfectly divide over 26 weeks instead of leaving people confused about whether they can claim the remainder. Thanks to everyone who shared their real experiences here - this is way more useful than anything I could find on the official PA UC website. Going to start researching SNAP and other assistance programs now so I'm prepared when my benefits end. This community is a lifesaver!

I'm currently on week 20 and can already see this exact scenario playing out for me - looks like I'll have around $380 left when I hit the 26-week limit. This thread has been absolutely invaluable! Grace's overpayment nightmare is exactly the kind of thing I was worried about. The fact that PA's system actually lets you file when you're not eligible is such a trap - it's like they're setting people up to fail. I was definitely considering filing that extra week since the system shows the money as "available," but after reading everyone's experiences, I'm 100% not risking it. It's infuriating that they design a system that calculates benefits leaving money you can't access, but losing $380 is way better than owing back potentially more with penalties. Going to start my SNAP application now and check out those CareerLink resources people mentioned. This community sharing real experiences is so much more helpful than the useless official PA UC website that doesn't address these actual situations people face!

Any update on your situation? Did you file the waiver yet?

Glad to see you're taking action! I went through something similar a few years ago and the key thing that helped me was getting everything documented properly. Since you mentioned it's about freelance work reporting, make sure you have copies of ALL your 1099s, bank deposits, and any correspondence you had with UC about reporting that income. Sometimes they have the dates wrong or misinterpret when the income was actually earned vs when it was reported. The non-fault classification is huge - that means they're acknowledging you weren't trying to deceive them. With non-fault overpayments, they're much more likely to approve waivers, especially if you can show genuine financial hardship. One thing I learned is to keep detailed records of every phone call, form submission, and letter. Get confirmation numbers for everything. The $25/month payment plan was smart - shows good faith while protecting you from garnishment. Best of luck with the waiver process!