That's great advice, thank you! I'll definitely stay on the line until they confirm it's actually being fixed.

I'd like to add that once your claim is approved, you should receive backpay for all eligible weeks you've certified for. Make sure you've been filing your weekly certifications even while waiting for approval. \n\nAlso, prepare documentation before calling:\n- Your Social Security number\n- Your PIN\n- Employment history details (last day worked, reason for separation)\n- Any correspondence reference numbers\n\nHaving this information ready will make the call more efficient and increase your chances of resolution during a single call.

I went through this in February. Don't be surprised if your employer brings an attorney - mine did, and it was intimidating at first, but the referee made sure everyone had equal time to speak. If they ask why you didn't bring documents up earlier in the process, just explain you didn't know they were needed until the appeal stage. Stay hydrated and keep a glass of water nearby because your mouth might get dry from nerves (happened to me!). Wishing you the best outcome!

After your hearing, you'll typically get a decision in 7-10 days by mail. If you win, payments usually start processing within a few days after that. If you lose, you have 15 calendar days to appeal to the UC Board of Review. Your determination letter will explain how to file that appeal if needed. One last piece of advice - log into your PA UC dashboard right after the hearing and check if your claim status changes. Sometimes you can see updates there before you receive the official determination in the mail.

UPDATE on my situation - I finally got my phone interview and they approved me!! took forever but eventually got all the back payments. just hang in there. they asked me lots of details about what happened and if I had been warned before. just be honest.

One more important thing: if you do get a phone interview scheduled, make absolutely sure you're available to answer that call. If you miss it, it can delay your claim by several more weeks. They typically give you a date range rather than a specific appointment time, which is frustrating but necessary for their workflow. Keep your phone with you and answer any calls from unknown or blocked numbers during that period.

did u try checking ur dashboard for messages? sometimes they send important updates there that explain deadline changes. also check spam folder for emails. not saying ur wrong just worth checking all bases

I've checked everything - dashboard messages, email (including spam), even my physical mail multiple times. The only communication about deadlines was the letter with the June 25 date. Nothing anywhere about June 11th until they suddenly declared I missed that deadline.

good luck getting a waiver my brother tried for months and they denied him even tho it wasnt his fault they made the mistake now hes stuck paying back 6000 dollars

Just to follow up on this thread - it's also worth noting that as of 2025, PA UC has updated some of their processes. You can also email a copy of your waiver request to UCOverpayments@pa.gov as a backup to your mailed submission. In the subject line, include your name and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. This gives you yet another record of submission.

@MattistheMan07 - Good point about Roth accounts. Yes, there are different tax implications for Roth 401ks vs traditional 401ks, but for PA UC purposes, the distinction doesn't matter unless you actually withdraw funds. For a traditional 401k, withdrawals are fully taxable and count as income. For a Roth 401k, only the earnings portion of withdrawals might count as income if certain conditions aren't met. But again, if the account is just sitting there untouched, neither type impacts unemployment benefits.

Thank you all sooo much for the help!! This community is amazing. I'm gonna leave my 401k right where it is until April 2025 and then probably just roll it over. One less thing to worry about while dealing with PA unemployment!

dont forget u still have to file ur weekly claims even tho ur waiting for payment

Just a quick update check - has your payment come through yet? Should have hit your account by now if everything's processing normally.

They should notify you about issues, but the system isn't perfect. Sometimes notifications get lost in spam filters or mail delivery issues. In some cases, the system flags an issue but the notification doesn't generate correctly. I'd recommend checking your spam folder daily and also seeing if you can visit a PA CareerLink office in person. They don't process claims, but they sometimes have direct lines to UC staff and can help identify what's holding up your claim. If you do get approved, you'll receive all eligible back payments for the weeks you certified, so you won't lose any money due to the delay (as long as you've been filing your weekly certifications).

update on my situation - finally got through today after trying that Claimyr thing someone mentioned. turns out they needed my ID verification again even tho I already did it!! such bs but at least now I know. rep said payment should come in 3-5 business days and include all backpay.

So what happens if both states deny you??? My brother got caught between PA and Ohio claims and ended up with nothing for like 2 months until he got a new job.

Just wanted to update everyone - I took the advice and filed with NC today. The online system was actually easier to use than PA's. Now I'm waiting to see what they say. I also managed to get through to someone at PA UC after using that Claimyr service (thanks for the recommendation). The agent said my Board appeal is showing as "pending review" which apparently means it's in the queue but hasn't been assigned yet. She also confirmed that filing in NC was the right first step regardless of the appeal outcome. Will update when I know more!

one thing to watch out for with ANY bank is that the PA UC deposits dont always come on the same day each week... sometimes Monday, sometimes Wednesday... drives me NUTS trying to budget!!!

Update for anyone reading this thread in 2025: PA UC has improved their direct deposit system and now accepts all valid banks, including online-only banks. Your first payment might take 1-3 business days longer for verification purposes if you're using a newer online bank, but subsequent payments should process at normal speed. The system now also sends email confirmations when your banking information is accepted and verified.