I'm sorry you're going through this situation - it sounds really stressful. As someone who's dealt with PA UC before, I'd strongly recommend calling the UC office to discuss your specific case before making any major decisions. One thing that might help: since you mentioned the 90-minute commute wasn't disclosed during hiring, that could potentially be grounds for "good cause" if you decide to quit. PA UC sometimes considers excessive commute times (especially over an hour each way) as compelling reasons, particularly if it wasn't part of the original job offer. Also, definitely look into the partial benefits option that others mentioned. Since you never filed after your 15-year employer shut down, you might be able to establish a claim now and receive partial benefits while working this lower-paying job. That could help with your financial stress while you figure out your next steps. Document everything about how this job differs from what was promised - save emails, job postings, any written communications. If you do decide to quit, having that documentation will be crucial for your UC case. Good luck!

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.

Just wanted to add that I've been using Current for my PA UC payments for about 6 months now and it's been smooth sailing! The deposits usually hit my account within 24-48 hours after I file my weekly claim. One tip: if you're new to Current, make sure your account has been open for at least a week before setting up direct deposit - I've heard some people had issues when they tried to use a brand new account immediately. Good luck with your claim!

I've been using Current for my PA unemployment payments for about 8 months now and haven't had any issues! The key things that worked for me: 1) Make sure you're using the correct routing number (like Jamal mentioned, Current has different ones), 2) Your name on the UC account must match exactly with your Current account name, and 3) Give it a few extra days for the first payment to process while they verify everything. After that first payment, mine usually shows up within 1-2 business days of filing my weekly claim. Current actually sends you a notification when the deposit hits too which is nice for budgeting. You should be all set!

To answer the original question directly: The ideal timing to contact your state representative is after you've made at least 3-4 documented attempts to resolve the issue through normal PA UC channels over a 2-3 week period. This shows you've done your due diligence. When you contact them, be sure to mention exactly what steps you've already taken (dates of calls, emails, etc.) and provide them with all relevant claim information. For those wondering about jurisdiction, contact the representative for your home address district, not your work location. And to clarify something mentioned above - state representatives can help with ALL types of claims, including regular UC, Trade, and UC Connect claims.

I'm actually dealing with something similar right now... My benefits have been pending for 3 weeks and I can't get through to anyone. How exactly did you contact your state rep? Did you call their office or email them? Did you have to provide any specific info about your claim? Sorry for all the questions but I'm getting desperate here! My landlord isn't going to wait much longer...

Update: My state rep's office called me today - they said they heard back from UC and my case has been assigned to an adjudicator who should be reaching out for an interview within the next few days. Fingers crossed this means things are moving! Thanks everyone for your advice.

That's awesome news! Getting assigned to an adjudicator is definitely progress. I've been following your thread since you posted yesterday and it sounds like your state rep's office is actually getting things done. Once you get that interview call, be ready with all your documentation and answer everything clearly and concisely. Most people who make it to the interview stage get approved pretty quickly after that. Rooting for you - keep us updated!

I'm currently on day 12 of waiting for employer verification and this thread is both reassuring and terrifying at the same time. It's helpful to know I'm not alone in this situation, but seeing people wait 5-7 weeks is making me panic. I've been calling every day but can never get through - the system just hangs up on me after being on hold for 2+ hours. Has anyone tried reaching out to their state representative for help? I've heard mixed things about whether that actually works or just adds more bureaucracy to the process. At this point I'm willing to try anything because I can't afford to wait another month for a decision. Also keeping detailed records of everything and filing weekly certifications religiously, so hopefully that will help when they finally get to my case.

I'm in the exact same boat - filed 18 days ago and still waiting on employer verification. The uncertainty is the worst part because you can't plan anything or know if you should be applying for emergency assistance. Reading everyone's experiences here is actually really helpful though, even if the timelines are all over the place. One thing I've been doing is keeping a detailed log of every time I call, who I speak with (if anyone), and what they tell me. I figure if this drags on much longer, having that documentation might be useful if I need to escalate or get my state rep involved. @Dylan Baskin - I'm definitely going to try the state rep route based on what Louisa said. At this point what do we have to lose? The regular UC phone system is clearly not working for any of us. Stay strong everyone, we'll get through this mess eventually!