I've been dealing with PA UC claims for years and wanted to share a few additional tips that might help while you're waiting for your audit to resolve: 1. Document EVERYTHING - keep screenshots of your dashboard status, save any emails/letters, and write down dates/times when you try to call 2. Check your employer's side too - sometimes they don't respond to UC's requests for information, which can delay the audit 3. If you have direct deposit set up, make sure your banking info is still current in the system 4. Consider setting up text/email alerts in your dashboard if you haven't already Also, regarding the Claims Investigation Unit that NeonNova mentioned - they typically handle these between 8am-12pm, so try calling right at 8am for better odds of getting through. The regular customer service line gets swamped but the investigation unit line sometimes has shorter wait times. Hang in there - I know 8 weeks feels like forever when you're worried about bills, but most audits do eventually resolve with back pay included.

I'm going through something similar - my claim has been in audit status for 6 weeks now and I'm getting really anxious about it. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and terrifying at the same time! It sounds like the timeline can vary wildly. One thing I learned from calling repeatedly is that if you press "0" multiple times during the automated menu, sometimes it will transfer you to a person faster than going through all the menu options. Also, I've had better luck calling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays rather than Mondays when everyone is trying to file their weekly claims. @StarStrider - definitely keep filing your weekly claims and work searches like others mentioned. I made the mistake of missing one week early on thinking it didn't matter during the audit and had to explain that later. Stay persistent with trying to reach someone - it's frustrating but you'll eventually get answers!

This is so frustrating! I'm having the exact same problem - been trying to file since yesterday and getting that ridiculous "can't file until 1/15" error when it's already 1/18. I'm relatively new to the UC system (only been filing for about 6 weeks) so I wasn't sure if this was normal or what. Reading through everyone's responses here has been super helpful though. I'm definitely going to try the phone system tonight and also attempt using a different browser like someone suggested. Really glad to hear from MidnightRider that PA UC acknowledged the issue and extended the filing window - that takes some pressure off at least. Has anyone had luck getting through on the phone system today, or is it still giving the same date error?

Just experienced this same issue this morning! I've been on UC for about 4 months now and this is the first time I've seen this particular error. Like others mentioned, I tried multiple browsers and devices but kept getting the "can't file until 1/15" message. What's really helpful is seeing that PA UC has acknowledged the problem and extended the filing window - that definitely reduces the stress. I'm curious if anyone knows whether this affects the timing of when we actually receive our benefits, or if it's just a filing system glitch that won't impact payment dates? Planning to try the phone system this evening if the website is still acting up.

Yes, continue filing weekly claims even after your benefit year ends and you've submitted a new application. The system will know which claim to associate them with. If your new claim is approved, those weeks will be paid under the new claim. If denied, you haven't lost anything by filing the weekly certifications.

Just went through this exact situation last month! One tip that really helped me - when you file your new application, make sure you have all your employment records from the past 18 months ready. PA UC will need details about every employer, even that part-time job you mentioned. They'll ask for dates, wages, and reason you stopped working for each one. Having everything organized beforehand made the application process much smoother. Also, don't panic if your new weekly benefit amount is different - it's calculated based on your new base year wages, so it might be higher or lower than your previous claim. Good luck with the transition!

Hey Liam! Just wanted to share my experience as someone who went through this exact same situation last year when I got laid off from my plumbing job. Your 401k sitting untouched absolutely will NOT affect your PA UC benefits - I was freaking out about the same thing until I got it sorted out. The reason it shows up on your W-2 is just to document what you contributed while you were working, but that money was already factored into your base period wages when they calculated your weekly benefit amount. It's not "new" income that would mess with your current claims. I made the mistake of overthinking it too, but PA UC has a simple rule - you only report money you actually receive during your claim weeks. Since your 401k is just sitting there (hopefully growing!), there's nothing to report on your biweekly filings. Smart move planning to roll it over in April instead of cashing out. I almost made that mistake but the early withdrawal penalties would have been brutal, plus any withdrawal would count as income for UC purposes. Construction work is tough with all the seasonal ups and downs, but at least you can cross this worry off your list. Focus on finding that next job - spring is usually when things start picking back up! You got this!

Hey Liam! Just wanted to add my voice to this helpful thread. I was laid off from my carpentry job in December and had the exact same concerns about my 401k affecting my PA UC benefits. Everyone here is spot on - your untouched 401k won't impact your unemployment at all. I actually met with a benefits counselor at my local CareerLink office who explained it really simply: PA UC only cares about money that actually flows into your hands during claim weeks, not money sitting in investment accounts. The W-2 confusion is totally normal! Those 401k numbers are just showing what you put in while you were working - it's like looking at old paycheck stubs. That money was already part of the wage calculations they used to figure out your weekly benefit amount when you first applied. One thing that helped me was keeping a folder with all my UC paperwork and tax documents organized. When April 2025 rolls around and you need to decide about your 401k, you'll have everything in one place to make the rollover process smoother. Construction work is feast or famine, but at least you can check this worry off your list and focus on lining up your next job. Spring is almost here - that's when a lot of projects start moving again! Hang in there!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! Just got laid off two weeks ago and the PA UC system has been a complete disaster. I've tried filing my initial claim probably 15 times now and keep getting different error messages - sometimes it's a "system maintenance" popup, other times the whole page just goes white and freezes. What's been working for me (sort of) is using a combination of the tips people have mentioned here. I clear my browser cache completely, use incognito mode, and try between 5-6am when there's supposedly less traffic. Even then, it's hit or miss. Yesterday I actually got all the way to the final submission page before it crashed - I almost threw my laptop across the room! The phone situation is just as bad. I downloaded an auto-redial app because I was going crazy manually calling over and over. Still haven't gotten through to a human after 4 days of trying. Has anyone had any luck with the PA CareerLink offices? I'm wondering if they can help with technical issues or at least provide some kind of backup option when the online system is completely broken like this.

I'm dealing with this exact same nightmare! Been trying to file for unemployment benefits for almost two weeks now and it's like the PA UC website was designed to torture people. I've tried literally everything - different browsers, clearing cache, incognito mode, different devices, early morning, late night - and nothing works consistently. The most frustrating part is that I'll get maybe 80% through the application and then BAM - some random error about "technical difficulties" or the dreaded session timeout. Then when I try to log back in, it either says my application doesn't exist or that I have one "in progress" but won't let me access it. It's maddening! I've also been keeping track of my phone calls and I'm up to 83 failed attempts across 8 days. The automated system just hangs up on you after saying all reps are busy. I even tried calling at weird hours like 6am and 10pm thinking maybe there would be less volume - nope, still busy signals. What really gets me is that this is a government service we're ENTITLED to use, but they've made it practically impossible to access. Meanwhile bills are piling up and I can't even get my claim started. Has anyone had any luck reaching out to state representatives or other officials about this? At this point I'm considering filing complaints everywhere I can think of.