Just wanted to add one more resource that might help while you're waiting to get through to PA UC - the Department of Labor & Industry has a worker misclassification hotline at 1-866-4-USWAGE (1-866-487-9243). Sometimes it's easier to get through there first to discuss whether you might have a misclassification case before dealing with the main UC phone system. They can also help you understand your rights if you were indeed misclassified - you might be entitled to back wages, overtime pay, and other benefits beyond just unemployment compensation. It's worth exploring all your options since it sounds like your delivery company was exercising significant control over your work. Also, keep in mind that if you do end up filing for an employment determination, the process can take several weeks, so don't wait if you need immediate financial assistance. Look into those local resources others mentioned (food banks, 211, emergency assistance programs) to help bridge the gap. Really hoping this works out for you - it's clear from reading this thread that there are way too many gig workers getting taken advantage of by companies that want all the control of having employees without any of the responsibilities that come with it.

This thread has been incredibly informative! As someone who's been doing freelance work and gig driving on and off, I had no idea about the employment determination process or the misclassification hotline. The fact that PUA applications are still being accepted by the system when the program ended in 2021 is absolutely ridiculous - PA really needs to fix their website to avoid this confusion. @Aurora St.Pierre - your situation with the delivery company controlling schedules, requiring uniforms, GPS monitoring, and having strict performance metrics definitely sounds like employee treatment rather than true contractor work. I hope the employment determination process works out for you! For anyone else reading this who might be in a similar boat, it sounds like the key takeaways are: 1. PUA is permanently gone (ended Sept 2021) 2. BUT you might qualify for regular UC if you were misclassified as a contractor 3. Use form UC-145 for employment determination requests 4. Call the misclassification hotline at 1-866-4-USWAGE as another resource 5. Document how your "contractor" job actually controlled your work This is exactly the kind of detailed, practical advice that's impossible to find on official government sites. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and expertise!

FINAL UPDATE: Success!! The IDme trusted referee video call worked perfectly. The rep was super helpful and verified my identity using my driver's license and birth certificate. About an hour after the call, I was able to log into my UC portal again! And the best news - I was able to file for both missed weeks without any issues. The system accepted them as if nothing happened. Payment is pending for all weeks now. HUGE relief! Thanks to everyone who helped me figure this out!

This thread is such a lifesaver! I'm dealing with a similar IDme issue right now - my account got locked after too many failed verification attempts with my old number. Reading through all these solutions gives me hope. Going to try the direct IDme website approach and schedule that trusted referee call if needed. It's crazy how many people are going through this same nightmare. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, especially @Liam Duke for the detailed updates on what actually worked!

As someone who's been through the PA UC system multiple times, here's what you need to know about their callback system: 1. The estimated callback times are very approximate 2. They may call up to 4 hours after the scheduled time 3. If they're overloaded, some callbacks get pushed to the next day 4. They'll attempt to call twice if you miss the first one 5. The caller ID usually shows as "Unknown" or "No Caller ID" If you have an open issue that's been holding up payments for 3 weeks, I'd recommend trying to call them directly first thing tomorrow morning (7:30am sharp). That's usually when the lines are least busy.

UPDATE: They finally called at 4:32pm! Almost 4 hours after the scheduled time. The agent was actually really helpful and fixed the open issue right away. For anyone with similar problems - don't give up, and keep your phone nearby all day even if they miss the scheduled time. Thanks everyone for the advice!

I've been gathering my evidence and I'm going to call the referee office first thing tomorrow to confirm where to send everything. I really appreciate all the advice from everyone! Quick follow-up question - should I dress professionally for a phone hearing? Obviously they can't see me, but I wonder if it helps me feel more prepared?

Hey @Landon Flounder, I just went through this exact same situation about 6 weeks ago! A few things that really helped me: 1. **Double-check that referee address** - I had the same issue with a smudged notice. When I called, they confirmed the correct address and also told me I could email my documents as a PDF attachment as backup (they gave me a specific email for the referee handling my case). 2. **For your separation case** - since your employer is claiming you quit but you say the position was eliminated, definitely submit those email chains! Also include any documentation about layoffs, restructuring, or position eliminations that happened around the same time. I had a similar dispute and the emails were what won my case. 3. **Phone hearing logistics** - They called me exactly at the start time listed on my notice. Make sure your phone is fully charged and you're somewhere quiet. The whole thing took about 40 minutes for me. 4. **Don't panic about dressing up** - it's just audio, but I did find that sitting at a desk with my documents organized in front of me helped me stay focused and sound more professional. You've got this! The fact that you have email evidence puts you in a good position. Just stick to the facts and don't let them rattle you if your employer tries to spin the story.

I'm in a similar boat - filed in mid-January and still waiting in week 9 with no reviewer assigned. The financial stress is overwhelming! I've been keeping detailed records of all my calls and attempts to get through. One thing that's helped me stay organized is creating a spreadsheet tracking my weekly certifications, work search activities, and every phone call attempt with dates/times. It's also useful if you eventually need to escalate to your state rep or senator's office. The system is definitely broken, but from reading everyone's experiences here, it seems like persistence eventually pays off. Keep filing those weekly certs and don't give up!

I'm so sorry you're going through this - the stress of waiting 10 weeks with no income is unimaginable! I filed my PA UC claim in late January and I'm now in week 8 with the same "in review" status. Like you, when I finally got through to someone last week, they told me it hadn't been assigned to a reviewer yet either. It's honestly criminal how they're treating people who desperately need these benefits. I've been surviving on credit cards and help from family, but that can't last forever. Reading through these comments gives me some hope though - sounds like many people do eventually get approved, it just takes way longer than it should. I'm definitely going to try that Claimyr service and calling right at 8am. We shouldn't have to jump through all these hoops just to talk to someone about our own claims! Hang in there - you're not alone in this nightmare.