I'm really sorry you're dealing with this stress! As someone who works in payroll for a PA company, I see timesheet corrections all the time and honest mistakes like yours happen more often than you'd think. What your employer is calling "theft of time" is really just a clerical error, and that distinction matters hugely for UC purposes. The fact that you voluntarily submitted a correction form actually works strongly in your favor - someone with fraudulent intent wouldn't draw attention to their own timesheet discrepancy. Your 3-year clean record is going to be your biggest asset here. I'd recommend gathering: 1) All your performance reviews showing good attendance/conduct, 2) Any previous timesheet corrections you've made (especially if any reduced your hours), 3) Statements from coworkers who saw you working during that disputed time. PA UC looks at whether you had intent to defraud the company, not just whether you technically violated a policy. From what I see in payroll disputes, cases like yours where there's clear evidence it was accidental usually get approved, even if there's an initial denial. Don't let their scary "theft" language intimidate you - you were working, you made an honest mistake, and you have a solid work history to back that up.

I went through almost the exact same thing in Bucks County about 9 months ago! Got fired for "time theft" when I accidentally wrote 2:00 PM instead of 2:30 PM on a lunch break correction form. The company made it sound like I was committing grand larceny, but it was literally just a brain fog moment after working a 10-hour shift. Like you, I had years of clean work history (4 years, no write-ups). Here's what happened with my UC claim: Initially DENIED because the employer made it sound so dramatic in their response. But I appealed and WON because I could prove it was genuinely accidental. What saved me was showing that I had actually made timesheet corrections in the PAST that reduced my hours when I made mistakes - this proved I wasn't trying to scam extra pay. The hearing referee specifically asked my employer: "If this person was trying to steal time, why would they voluntarily submit a correction form that draws attention to their timesheet?" They had no good answer. Your case sounds even stronger than mine because you were actually working during that disputed time and have witnesses! Get those coworker statements ASAP. PA UC really does look at fraudulent INTENT, not just policy violations. Don't let their scary "theft" language psych you out - you've got solid evidence this was just human error.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to share what I learned from my experience. I hit my 26-week limit last month and was also confused about the remaining balance. What helped me was actually going to my local CareerLink office in person rather than trying to call. The staff there were much more helpful and walked me through exactly what happens after benefits end. They also signed me up for some job training programs that I didn't even know existed. For immediate help with expenses, definitely apply for SNAP like others mentioned. I also found out about emergency assistance through my county's social services office - they helped with a utility bill when I was really struggling. Every little bit helps when you're transitioning off UC. The job market is tough right now but don't give up! I ended up finding something through a temp agency that turned into a permanent position. It's not exactly what I was doing before, but it's keeping me afloat while I figure out my next move. Hang in there - you're not alone in this!

I just wanted to jump in with some encouragement - I was in your exact shoes about 8 months ago and I know how scary it feels when you're approaching that 26-week cliff. The stress is real! A few things that helped me through that transition: 1. Don't wait until your last week to start applying for other assistance programs. I wish I had applied for SNAP and looked into emergency rental assistance sooner rather than waiting until I was completely panicked. 2. Check if your local library has career services - mine offered free resume reviews and even had computers set up specifically for job searching. Some also have partnerships with employment agencies. 3. Consider gig work as a bridge - I did DoorDash and Instacart for a few weeks which wasn't great money but it kept some cash flowing while I job hunted. Just make sure to report any earnings if you're still claiming UC. The whole "leftover balance" thing drove me crazy too, but everyone here is right - that money was never really guaranteed to you, it was just the maximum possible benefit. Still frustrating though! You'll get through this. The fact that you're asking questions and planning ahead shows you're being smart about it. Good luck with your job search!

UPDATE: My payment just hit my account this morning, exactly 2 days after the approval like you all said! Thanks for calming me down everyone!

I've been dealing with PA UC for about 6 months now and can confirm the 2-day delay is standard procedure. What helped me manage the stress was setting up text alerts from my bank so I'd know immediately when the deposit hit instead of obsessively checking my balance. Also, I started treating Tuesday as my "real" filing day in my head - so I file Sunday but mentally prepare for Thursday payment. Makes the wait feel shorter somehow. Glad your payment came through!

Emma, I'm so sorry you had to go through that harassment situation. Based on all the excellent advice shared here, it sounds like you have a really strong case for PA UC benefits. I wanted to add one more practical tip that helped me when I was preparing my own appeal documentation: create a simple spreadsheet or table with columns for Date, Incident Description, Witnesses Present, and Your Response/Action Taken. This format makes it super easy for the UC reviewer to quickly see the pattern of harassment and your attempts to address it. Also, since you mentioned having text messages from coworkers, make sure to screenshot those with timestamps visible - text evidence can be incredibly powerful but only if it's properly documented. The fact that you have HR emails, coworker witnesses, medical documentation, AND evidence of the employer pressuring you to stay (then making things worse) really puts you in a good position. Don't let that initial denial discourage you if it comes - from everything I've read here, the appeal process is where cases like yours typically succeed. You clearly tried to handle this the right way and only quit when it became impossible to stay. Good luck with your claim!

Emma, I just wanted to add my voice to all the excellent advice you've received here. I went through a similar PA UC appeal process last year after quitting due to workplace harassment related to my anxiety disorder. One thing that really helped my case was documenting not just WHAT happened, but also HOW it specifically affected my protected disability. Since your ADHD was clearly being targeted, make sure you emphasize in your claim how the contradictory instructions, constant criticism, and different treatment specifically interfered with your ability to manage your condition and perform your job duties. The fact that you tried to quit initially but were pressured to stay, only to have things get worse, is actually strong evidence of constructive discharge. PA UC recognizes that sometimes employers create conditions that force someone to quit, which isn't truly "voluntary." Also, don't forget to mention any accommodations you might have needed for your ADHD that weren't provided - that could strengthen the disability discrimination angle. You have excellent documentation with the HR emails, coworker texts, and medical records. Based on everything you've shared, you have one of the stronger cases I've seen discussed here. Stay organized, be prepared for an initial denial, and don't give up on the appeal process. You've got this!

I'm so glad you got approved and shared your update! This whole thread has been incredibly informative. As someone who's been lurking on this community for a while, I really appreciate when people come back to update their posts with the resolution. It's so frustrating how the PA UC online system can show one thing when the reality is completely different - that "glitch" you experienced seems to happen way too often to be just a coincidence. Your persistence with calling really paid off. For anyone else dealing with performance-related issues, this thread is like a masterclass in what to expect and how to handle it. The early morning calling strategy, keeping documentation, and not trusting the online status are all gold nuggets of advice. Thanks for taking the time to help others going through the same stressful situation!

This entire thread has been so helpful to read through! As someone who's currently waiting on a different type of UC issue (separation pay), seeing the real experiences and timelines gives me hope that persistence really does pay off. The healthcare staffing crisis angle is particularly eye-opening - it makes total sense that performance issues in that industry are often systemic rather than individual failures. @Charlee Coleman congratulations on getting your approval! Your willingness to keep updating this thread with your progress has created such a valuable resource for others. The fact that your claim was actually approved a week before the system showed it really highlights how unreliable the online portal can be. For anyone else reading this who's dealing with performance-related issues, the documentation tips and early morning calling strategy seem to be the key takeaways. It's also reassuring to see that PA UC does recognize when workplace conditions contribute to performance problems. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences - this community support makes such a stressful process feel more manageable!