Just wanted to add another perspective as someone who recently went through this exact situation in PA. When I filed my new claim after my benefit year ended, the biggest surprise was that my weekly benefit amount actually increased! This happened because my new base period included wages from a higher-paying job I had worked during the previous year. So don't assume your benefit amount will stay the same - it could go up OR down depending on your wage history in the new base period. Also, I'd recommend taking screenshots of everything when you file online, including any confirmation numbers. The PA system sometimes has glitches and having that documentation saved me when there was a processing delay with my first payment.

I just want to echo what others have said about documentation - keep records of EVERYTHING! When I filed my new claim after my benefit year ended, there was initially a delay because they couldn't verify my wages from my most recent employer. Having my pay stubs and W-2 ready helped speed up the process. Also, one thing I learned is that even though you get a fresh 26 weeks with your new benefit year, if you find work again and then lose it before using all 26 weeks, you can't just reopen that claim - you'd have to wait until that benefit year ends to file another new one. The system really does reset completely with each new benefit year, which can be both good and bad depending on your situation.

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! I filed my initial claim about 10 days ago and completely spaced on adding my 12-year-old daughter as a dependent. I've been trying to get through to the UC service center but keep getting those dreaded busy signals. Reading through everyone's experiences here is both reassuring and nerve-wracking - sounds like it's definitely possible to get this fixed, but the phone system is a real nightmare. I'm going to try some of the strategies mentioned here like calling on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons, and I love the idea of keeping a detailed log of my attempts. Has anyone had success reaching them through the online messaging system, or is phone really the only way to add dependents? Also, for those who got backdated payments, did you have to provide any specific documentation beyond birth certificates and SSNs?

Just wanted to share my recent success story to give everyone hope! I was in the same situation as many of you - forgot to add my two kids (ages 6 and 14) when I initially filed my PA UC claim back in February. After reading through all the advice in this thread, I decided to try the Tuesday morning strategy that Max mentioned. Called at 7:50 AM yesterday and actually got through after only 20 minutes on hold! The representative was super understanding when I explained I'd been trying to reach them for over a week. She added both my children to my claim and even noted in my file that I had attempted to contact them multiple times since filing. She couldn't promise anything about backdating, but said the notation would help if there's ever a review. The dependent allowance should show up in my next weekly payment. For anyone still trying to get through - don't give up! The Tuesday morning time slot really seemed to work, and having all my kids' info ready (SSNs, birth dates, birth certificates) made the actual call go super smoothly once I got connected.

UPDATE: Just wanted to let everyone know the money showed up on my card this morning (Monday)! So it took exactly one business day after the payment date. Going to switch to direct deposit now though - thanks everyone for your help!

Glad to hear it worked out for you! That's actually pretty fast - one business day is on the quicker side. Smart move switching to direct deposit though. I made the switch last year and it's so much more reliable. No more worrying about card issues or fees, and the money hits your account the same day as the payment date usually. Hope your claim continues to go smoothly!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who responded to help explain what "partial check" means! It's so frustrating that the PA UC system doesn't provide clear explanations for these payment statuses. Reading through all your experiences really helped me understand that this is pretty normal for backpay situations. For anyone else who finds this thread with the same question - it looks like "partial check" typically means they're sending actual paper checks in the mail instead of direct deposit or ReliaCard, especially for larger backpay amounts. The checks usually arrive 5-7 business days after the payment date shown online. Thanks again everyone for sharing your knowledge!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now! My claim was approved last week after 8 weeks of appeals and documentation, and all my backpay weeks show "partial check" with payment dates but no money in my account yet. Reading through everyone's experiences here is such a relief - I was starting to panic that something went wrong again. It sounds like I should expect paper checks in the mail over the next few days. The PA UC system really needs better communication about what these payment statuses actually mean. Has anyone had issues with checks getting lost in the mail, or do they usually all arrive safely?

Just went through this exact scenario last month! I was terminated after giving my two weeks notice at a job I'd held for over a year, then worked briefly at another place that didn't work out due to scheduling conflicts. The PA UC system made me file a new claim too, which was frustrating at first. Here's what I learned: Even though you have to file a new claim, they DO look at your entire work history during the base period when calculating benefits. So your almost-2-years of employment should definitely count toward your benefit amount. The key is being very clear about the circumstances of each separation - emphasize that you were TERMINATED after giving notice (not that you quit) and document the childcare issues that made the PRN job impossible to continue. I got approved after about 3 weeks, though I did have to provide some additional documentation about why my brief job ended. The waiting was nerve-wracking but it worked out. Don't let the system's confusion discourage you - you have legitimate reasons for both separations and should qualify for benefits. Just make sure to file those weekly certifications even while waiting for approval!

I'm actually going through something very similar right now! I was terminated from my job after giving my two weeks notice (they basically said "don't bother working the notice period, you're done now"), and then I had a brief job that ended due to transportation issues. The PA UC system is making me file a new claim too, which I was initially confused about. From reading all these responses, it sounds like this is totally normal when you've had any employment after your main separation, even if it was super brief. What I'm planning to do is file the new claim and be really specific about both separations - making it clear that my main employer TERMINATED me after I gave notice (I didn't just quit), and that the brief job ended due to circumstances I couldn't control. It's actually kind of comforting to see so many people have dealt with this exact situation. The system seems confusing but it sounds like as long as you document everything clearly and emphasize the right details, it usually works out. I'm going to gather all my documentation before I file and make sure I have everything organized. Thanks to everyone sharing their experiences - it really helps to know what to expect!