UPDATE: I finally got through to someone today! For anyone with the same issue - I used the service that was mentioned above (Claimyr) and got connected in about 20 minutes. The agent was super helpful and updated my dependents info right away. She said since I'm still within the 14 day window, they'll recalculate my WBR with the additional dependents and it will be retroactive to my initial filing date. Thanks everyone for your help!

So glad to hear you got it resolved! I'm actually dealing with a similar situation right now - I accidentally put down the wrong number of dependents when I filed my claim 3 days ago. Your post gives me hope that I can still get this fixed quickly. I'm definitely going to try calling first thing tomorrow morning, and if that doesn't work I'll look into that Claimyr service. It's crazy how such a small mistake can end up costing hundreds of dollars over the life of a claim. Thanks for sharing your experience and the update!

Just to add another perspective - I'm with Carpenters Local 158 and went through this process about 8 months ago. The UC-480 form is definitely the way to go, but here's something I learned the hard way: make sure you understand exactly what your union's "regular check-in" requirements are before you file the exemption. My local requires members to physically sign in at the hall every Tuesday and Thursday, not just call in. I almost got my benefits suspended because I was only calling to check my position on the list instead of showing up in person. The exemption form makes you responsible for following your specific union's rules, so double-check with your hall what that actually means for Local 401. Better to know upfront than find out during an audit!

Just went through this exact process with IBEW Local 98 about 4 months ago! Definitely file the UC-480 form ASAP but here's something nobody mentioned - when you submit it online through the PA UC portal, take screenshots of EVERY page including the confirmation page with the submission number. I had to resubmit mine twice because they claimed they never received it, even though I had the confirmation emails. Also, after your union rep fills out their section, have them make a copy and email it to you before they send it in. That way if PA UC "loses" it again, you can resubmit immediately instead of waiting for your rep to fill out a whole new form. The whole process took about 5 weeks for me once they actually received it properly, but those backup documents saved me weeks of hassle when they initially claimed it was never submitted.

I'm in a similar boat and feeling the stress too. Been waiting 18 days since filing and just got the "assigned to examiner" update yesterday. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking! Based on what I'm seeing, it sounds like 1-2 weeks from assignment is the most common timeframe, though some people have waited longer. I'm going to follow the advice about answering all unknown calls and keeping my documents ready. Has anyone tried reaching out to their state representative's office? I'm wondering if that's worth doing now or if I should wait a bit longer since I'm not quite at the 3-week mark yet.

I'm going through this exact same situation right now! Filed my claim 4 weeks ago and just got the "assigned to examiner" update 3 days ago. The financial stress is unreal - I've been living off credit cards and my landlord is starting to ask questions. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both helpful and terrifying at the same time. It sounds like the timeline varies wildly, but most people seem to hear back within 1-2 weeks of assignment. I've already updated my voicemail to be super brief and I'm answering every single call, even the obvious spam ones. Has anyone had luck with explaining financial hardship to speed things up? I'm worried about being too pushy but I'm also worried about losing my apartment.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information! I feel much better prepared now. I've got my appointment scheduled for next week and I'm putting together all my work search records. I never realized how important it was to keep detailed notes of all my job applications until now!

Just wanted to add my experience - I went through RESEA about 6 months ago and it was actually pretty straightforward. The staff was professional and they have a whole system set up for this. One thing I didn't see mentioned - they'll also ask about any barriers to employment you might have (transportation, childcare, etc.) and can potentially connect you with resources to help with those issues. Also, if you're in a union or have a specific trade, let them know! They have connections with different industry groups and sometimes know about job openings that aren't posted publicly yet. My counselor actually helped me find out about an apprenticeship program I hadn't heard of before. The key is just being honest about your job search efforts and coming prepared with your documentation. Don't stress too much about it - they're there to help, not to trip you up!

Update: Just talked to my cousin and she checked her account. It was indeed the tax withholding! She found where to change it for future payments. Thanks everyone for the help!

Glad your cousin got it sorted out! Just a heads up for anyone else reading this - if you do decide to stop the tax withholding like she did, it's a good idea to set aside about 10-12% of each payment in a separate savings account for taxes. I learned this the hard way when I got a big tax bill the following year. UC benefits are taxed as regular income, so depending on your other income for the year, you might end up owing more than you expect come tax time.