Can I still file PA UC weekly cert after missing deadline? Need PIN help urgently
I completely messed up and forgot to submit my weekly certification for PA unemployment online. I've been dealing with a family emergency and it just slipped my mind until today. Is it too late to file? I heard something about being able to call instead of using the website when you miss the online deadline. The problem is I can't remember where I wrote down my PIN number - it's been a few months since I set up my claim. Does anyone know if there's a way to recover my PIN or get a new one? And how many days do I have before I lose this week's benefits entirely? Really stressed about missing this payment.
32 comments


Louisa Ramirez
You still have time to file! PA UC allows you to file by phone using PAT (Pennsylvania Automated Touch) system when you miss the online deadline. Call 888-255-4728 to file your weekly certification by phone. You have until Friday of the week after your regular filing week. For your PIN issue, you'll need to use the "Forgot PIN" option on the PA UC website. They'll mail a new PIN to your address on file, but that takes 5-7 business days. If you need it faster, call the UC service center at 888-313-7284, but be prepared for a long wait time.
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Marilyn Dixon
•Thank you so much! I'll try calling the PAT system today. Do you know if they'll ask for all the same information as the online system? And is there any way to get my PIN faster than waiting for mail? I really can't afford to miss this payment :
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TommyKapitz
i had same problem last month. just call them they will help u but good luck getting thru lol took me 3 days of calling nonstop
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Angel Campbell
•Facts! The PA unemployment phone system is literally designed to make you give up. I spent 4 hours being transferred between departments before someone could help with my missed certification.
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Payton Black
Don't panic yet! PA gives you 2 weeks from the end of your claim week to file weekly certs. Just be aware that if you miss multiple weeks, they might close your claim and you'll have to reopen it (which is a whole other headache). The PIN thing is annoying but if you call in they can help verify your identity another way. Just make SURE you have your social security number, the address on your claim, and your banking info ready. They'll ask random verification questions.
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Marilyn Dixon
•That's a relief to hear about the 2 week window. Do you know if backdating the claim affects when I'd get paid? I'm worried this will delay everything even more.
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Harold Oh
I've been through this exact situation! The official PA UC policy is that you can file late weekly certifications for up to two weeks after your regular filing date. However, many people don't realize that filing by phone with PAT actually gives you a bit more flexibility. For your PIN issue, here are your options: 1. Use the "Forgot PIN" feature on the UC website - they'll mail a new one (5-7 days) 2. Call the UC service center at 888-313-7284 and verify your identity to get PIN help 3. Visit a PA CareerLink office in person (bring ID) for immediate PIN assistance I've personally had the most success with option 3 when I was in a similar situation. The wait times on the phone are brutal, and mail takes forever.
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Marilyn Dixon
•I didn't know about the CareerLink option! There's one about 20 minutes from me. Do I need an appointment or can I just walk in? And will they be able to help me file the missed week while I'm there?
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Amun-Ra Azra
When I had this problem last year I used Claimyr to get through to an actual PA UC rep right away. Normally you have to call like 50+ times but their system holds your place in line. Just went to claimyr.com and watched their demo video (https://youtu.be/CEPETxZdo9E?si=WL1ZzVZWG3KiHrg2) to see how it works. The rep helped reset my PIN over the phone after verifying my identity and I was able to file my missed week right then. Saved me days of stress!
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Summer Green
•Is that service actually legit? Sounds too good to be true with how impossible it is to reach anyone at PA UC. Does it cost money?
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Amun-Ra Azra
Yes it's legit! They do charge for the service but it was worth it for me since I would have lost a whole week of benefits otherwise. They basically handle the calling and waiting part for you, then connect you with an actual UC rep who can fix your PIN issue immediately.
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Marilyn Dixon
•Thanks for the suggestion! I might try the CareerLink option first since it's free, but if that doesn't work out I'll definitely look into Claimyr. At this point I'd rather pay a little than lose the whole week's benefits.
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Angel Campbell
THE PHONE SYSTEM IS A JOKE!!! I missed ONE certification and spent TWO WEEKS trying to get it fixed!!! They'll transfer you 5 times then disconnect you!!! THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU GIVE UP YOUR BENEFITS!!!! Don't believe me? Try calling them yourself and see how far you get!! 😠😠ðŸ˜
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TommyKapitz
•yep this is why i filed for benefits last time nd just gave up after 3 weeks. not worth the stress
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Louisa Ramirez
Quick update on PIN recovery options since there seems to be some confusion: 1. Online PIN reset - Takes 5-7 days to receive by mail 2. Phone reset - Can be done same day IF you can reach someone 3. In-person at CareerLink - Usually same-day service, but bring multiple forms of ID Remember that for security reasons, they won't give you your PIN over email or text. It has to be by mail or in-person verification. For the missed certification: You have exactly two weeks after the end of your claim week to file a late certification, but it's best to do it ASAP to avoid payment delays.
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Marilyn Dixon
•This is really helpful! I'm going to try the CareerLink tomorrow morning when they open. I'll bring my driver's license, social security card, and the original UC determination letter just to be safe. Fingers crossed they can help me file the missed week on the spot!
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Payton Black
Just wanted to share that when I missed filing online, I had a good experience using the PAT phone system. Just have your SSN ready and follow the prompts. The system will walk you through everything step by step, including the work search questions. It's actually easier than the website sometimes!
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Marilyn Dixon
•Update: I was able to get through on PAT using the phone number you all suggested! I got a bit confused with some of the prompts but eventually figured it out. They said my payment should process normally but might be a day or two delayed. Thank you all for the help!
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Ethan Brown
That's great news that you got through on PAT! For anyone else reading this thread who might face the same issue - I've found that calling the PAT system early in the morning (like 7-8 AM) tends to have less wait time than calling during business hours. Also, if you get disconnected or confused during the automated prompts, you can usually press 0 or say "representative" to get transferred to a human, though that will increase your wait time significantly. The key is to have all your info ready before you call: SSN, employer info from your last job, and answers to the standard work search questions.
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Sarah Jones
•Great tip about calling early! I wish I had known that when I was dealing with my missed certification issue a few months ago. I ended up calling at like 2 PM and was on hold forever. The "press 0 for representative" trick is gold too - I've used that on other government phone systems and it usually works. One thing I'd add is to make sure you have a pen and paper ready when you call because they'll give you a confirmation number at the end that you'll want to write down as proof you filed. Learned that the hard way when I forgot to write it down the first time!
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KhalilStar
Just wanted to add another option that helped me when I was in a similar situation - if you have a smartphone, you can actually file your weekly certification through the PA UC mobile app even if you forgot your PIN for the website. The app sometimes has different login options or you might have saved your credentials there. It's worth checking before going through all the PIN recovery steps. Also, don't stress too much about the timing - I've filed certifications up to 10 days late and still received my benefits, just with a slight delay. The system is more forgiving than they make it seem, especially if you can show you had a legitimate reason for missing the deadline like a family emergency.
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Ryan Young
•That's a really good point about the mobile app! I totally forgot that existed and didn't even think to check if my login info was saved there. It's such a relief to hear that the system is more forgiving than it seems - all the horror stories online made me think I'd lose everything if I was even a day late. The family emergency excuse is legit too since that's exactly what happened to me. Thanks for sharing your experience, it really helps ease the anxiety about this whole situation!
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Emma Davis
I went through this exact same situation about 6 months ago! Here's what worked for me: First, don't panic - you definitely still have time. I was able to file my missed weekly certification through the PAT phone system (888-255-4728) even though I was 4 days late. The automated system walked me through everything step by step. For the PIN issue, I had the best luck calling the UC service center first thing in the morning around 8 AM - the wait times are much shorter then. They were able to verify my identity using my SSN, date of birth, and some questions about my claim, then gave me a temporary PIN over the phone that I could use immediately. One thing that really helped was having all my documentation ready before calling: my UC determination letter, last employer info, and my work search log. The whole process took about 45 minutes including wait time, and I received my payment just 2 days later than usual. You've got this! The family emergency is absolutely a valid reason for missing the deadline, so don't stress too much.
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Fatima Al-Farsi
•This is exactly the kind of detailed, step-by-step advice I was hoping to find! I'm definitely going to try calling first thing tomorrow morning at 8 AM with all my documents ready. It's so reassuring to hear from someone who went through the same thing and got it resolved quickly. I have my UC determination letter and employer info organized, but I should probably dig up my work search log too just in case they ask. The temporary PIN option sounds perfect since I really can't wait for something to come in the mail. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience - it gives me so much hope that this will work out!
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Chloe Green
Don't give up hope! I was in almost the exact same situation last year - missed my weekly cert due to a family crisis and couldn't find my PIN anywhere. Here's what saved me: I went to my local CareerLink office with my ID and they reset my PIN on the spot AND helped me file the missed certification right there. No appointment needed, just walk in during business hours. The staff there are way more helpful than the phone system, and since you have a legitimate family emergency excuse, they'll definitely work with you. I was in and out in about 30 minutes total. Just bring your driver's license, social security card, and any UC paperwork you have. They can pull up your account and get everything sorted immediately. You're still well within the 2-week window, so try not to stress too much. The in-person route is honestly the fastest and least frustrating option when you're dealing with both a missed deadline AND a PIN issue at the same time.
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Taylor Chen
•This is such great advice! I had no idea that CareerLink could handle both the PIN reset AND filing the missed certification in one visit. That sounds so much better than trying to navigate the phone system or waiting for mail. I'm going to call my local CareerLink first thing in the morning to confirm their hours and then head over with all my documents. It's really comforting to know that 30 minutes could solve both problems at once. Thank you for sharing this - you might have just saved me days of stress and frustration!
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Chloe Martin
I'm dealing with a similar situation right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! One thing I wanted to add that might help others - if you're having trouble getting through on the phone lines, try calling on different days of the week. I've noticed that Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to have shorter wait times than Mondays and Fridays. Also, for anyone who's worried about the family emergency excuse not being "official enough" - PA UC actually has provisions for "good cause" exceptions that include family emergencies, illness, and other unavoidable circumstances. When you do get through to someone, just explain your situation honestly. The reps are usually understanding when you have a legitimate reason. The CareerLink option that several people mentioned sounds amazing. I'm definitely going to try that route first since it seems like the most reliable way to get both issues (PIN and missed cert) resolved quickly without the phone system headaches.
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Sophie Duck
•This is such valuable information about the timing for calling! I never would have thought that certain days of the week make a difference, but it totally makes sense that Mondays and Fridays would be busier. And knowing that PA UC officially recognizes "good cause" exceptions for family emergencies is really reassuring - I was worried they might not take my situation seriously. I've been reading through all these responses and I think the CareerLink route is definitely my best bet too. It seems like multiple people have had success there, and avoiding the phone system altogether sounds like a win-win. Thanks for adding these extra tips - this whole thread has been a lifesaver!
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Yuki Kobayashi
I've been following this thread and wanted to share my recent experience that might help! I just went through this exact situation last month. I ended up using a combination of approaches that worked really well: First, I called the PAT system (888-255-4728) at exactly 7:00 AM on a Wednesday and got through immediately - no wait time at all! The early morning timing definitely makes a huge difference. Even though I didn't have my PIN, the automated system let me file using my SSN and other verification info. For the PIN recovery, I actually found that the online "Forgot PIN" option was faster than people said - I got my new PIN in the mail in just 4 business days, not the 5-7 they claim. But if you need it immediately, the CareerLink option that others mentioned is definitely the way to go. One tip I haven't seen mentioned: if you're filing by phone and get confused by the prompts, you can actually hang up and call back without any penalty. I did this twice before I figured out all the questions, and it didn't affect my certification at all. Also, keep calling the confirmation number they give you at the end - that's your proof of filing and really important if there are any issues later. You should receive your payment within 2-3 business days of filing, even when it's late. Don't stress too much - PA UC is actually pretty forgiving with legitimate emergencies like yours!
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Chloe Taylor
•This is incredibly thorough and helpful advice! The tip about calling at exactly 7 AM is genius - I never thought about being that precise with timing, but it makes total sense that you'd get through faster right when they open. And knowing that you can hang up and call back without penalty takes so much pressure off - I was worried that if I messed up the prompts I'd somehow lose my chance to file. The 4-day mail timeframe for PIN recovery is also encouraging since everyone else was saying 5-7 days. I'm definitely going to try the early morning PAT call first, and if that doesn't work out, I'll head to CareerLink as my backup plan. Thank you for sharing such detailed step-by-step experience - it really helps to hear from someone who just went through this recently!
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Angelina Farar
I just wanted to jump in here as someone who's helped a lot of folks navigate the PA UC system. Based on everything shared in this thread, you have several solid options: **Immediate action steps:** 1. Try calling PAT (888-255-4728) at 7 AM sharp - multiple people confirmed this works with minimal wait 2. Visit CareerLink with ID + SS card + UC paperwork for same-day PIN reset AND filing assistance 3. If desperate, consider Claimyr service to skip phone wait times **Key things to remember:** - You have a full 2 weeks from your claim week end to file late - Family emergency is absolutely valid "good cause" - don't worry about that - Even late filings usually process within 2-3 days - Keep that confirmation number they give you! The fact that multiple people here successfully resolved identical situations should give you confidence. The CareerLink option seems to be the most reliable based on the experiences shared. You're going to get through this! The system seems scary but it's actually more forgiving than it appears, especially with legitimate circumstances like yours. Good luck and please update us on how it goes - your experience could help the next person in this situation!
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Nalani Liu
•This is such an amazing summary of all the advice in this thread! As someone who's been lurking and reading through everyone's experiences, it's really helpful to see all the options laid out so clearly like this. I'm not dealing with this issue myself right now, but I'm definitely bookmarking this thread in case I ever need it in the future. It's so reassuring to see how many people jumped in to help with real, practical advice based on their actual experiences. The PA UC system has such a reputation for being impossible to navigate, but this thread proves that there are ways to work with it when you know the right steps. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories - this kind of community support is exactly what people need when they're stressed about missing benefits!
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